VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked Dak Lak Province’s People’s Committee to investigate illegal logging in Ea Sup District.

Timbers cut down by illegal loggers seized by Dak Lak Province’s forest protection division. — Photo nhandan.com.vn

The PM’s order has been prompted by several reports in local newspapers since early March about large-scale deforestation in the district. For example, the Nhan dan (People) newspaper reported that forest rangers had seized nearly 100 cubic metres of wood cut down by illegal loggers in a two-month period.

Heaps of timber have been spotted along the roads in Ia Lốp and Ia Jlơi communes, and even in front of the Ia Jlơi Commune People’s Committee office, raising concerns that the illegal loggers have the backing of the local authorities.

The dry season is said to be the best time of the year for illegal loggers as the forest is less dense and paths are more accessible, making it easy to transport the timber out.

Phuc has also asked the provincial People’s Committee to clarify the issues raised by local media and investigate illegal logging without delay.

Dak Lak Province has 86,000 hectares of forest land. Of this, 80,960 hectares are natural forest, and the rest have been planted.

VNS