VietNamNet Bridge – The agriculture sector of the central Quang Tri Province on Monday (Aug 8) confirmed deforestation of a protected forest in Vinh Linh District.

Forest rangers seized timbers illegally chopped down in Vinh Linh District’s forest. — VNA/VNS Photo Tran Tinh

The confirmation came after the local police investigated the case, following a series of articles published by Lao dong (Labour) newspaper on August 3 and 4.

According to Lao dong newspaper, ignoring Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s order to close all natural forests in the country from June 20, poachers illegally chopped down and transported trees from the protective forest in Vinh Linh District.

The police discovered that trees had been cut down in the Vinh O and Vinh Ha communes. In Vinh O Commune, the police seized nearly 8cu.m of timber of groups V and VI that are used to make furniture or in construction.

In Vinh Ha Commune, the police caught two suspects in the act while they were illegally chopping down 21 trees.

The deforested areas, located about 10km-15km away from residential areas, are under the management of Vinh Linh District’s forest management, Ben Hai River Basin’s protective forest management board and Quyet Thang Farm.

Poor management was to be blamed for deforestation in the two communes, the police said.

Vo Van Hung, director of the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department, asked the police to find the culprits as well as wrongdoers in managerial agencies so that they could be strictly disciplined.

Hung told forest rangers to intensify patrolling and to spread awareness among local residents against destroying forests in an attempt to bring the situation under control soon.

Last Friday, after the Lao Dong newspaper published the articles, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ordered the provincial People’s Committee to quickly investigate and report to the Government before August 20.

VNS