Chairman of Quy Chau District People's Committee directed to handle the case of deforestation violation in Chau Thuan commune

On June 27, Nghe An Newspaper published an article: "Another case of deforestation discovered in Nghe An" - the deforestation case occurred in Chau Thuan commune, the leaders of Quy Chau district had a meeting and directed specific handling.

Accordingly, in Document No. 360/TB-UBND dated July 2, 2019, the conclusion of comrade Ngo Duc Thuan - Deputy Secretary, Chairman of the District People's Committee stated:

The deforested area is located in Chau Thuan commune, Quy Chau district.

Although Chau Thuan Commune Party Committee has made many efforts in directing the protection and development of forests, in 2019, illegal deforestation and conversion of forest planting purposes in the commune continued to recur; and the violations were extremely serious.

Specifically, in 2019, there were 14 households violating the law, but the People's Committee of Chau Thuan commune did not report the incident to the superiors to ask for direction and resolution, the reason being that the unity in leadership of the Party Committee and the government is not high; State management of forest protection and development at the commune level still has many limitations; Detection and handling are not timely, not all violators are handled and are not deterrent enough.

The pioneering and exemplary role of some cadres and party members of the Chau Thuan Commune People's Committee is not good. Propaganda and mobilization work among the people is not regular and effective. There are still cases of violations by relatives of cadres and party members.

Deforested area in Chieng village, Chau Thuan commune.

Previously, on July 1, the People's Committee of Chau Thuan commune also reported on the results of the implementation of forest management, protection and development in Chau Thuan commune. In this report, it stated that the People's Committee of the commune had "directed local forest rangers to coordinate with forestry and land officials to inspect the forest at the base, discovering 27 households illegally destroying forests; of which, 5 households were advised to be handled; completed files to transfer to the police for investigation of 3 households; and is completing files to handle 19 households in violation".

Notably, the report of Chau Thuan Commune People's Committee also clearly stated that there was a situation where relatives of officials and Party members of the Commune People's Committee participated in deforestation. These were 3 cases: the biological mother of Mr. Luong Van Than - an official of the Commune People's Committee Statistics Office. Mr. Than is the husband of Ms. Lu Thi Mai - Party Secretary; Father-in-law of Ms. Luong Thi Hao - Deputy Secretary of the Party; Mr. Lo Van An - Chairman of the Commune Fatherland Front.

Given the seriousness of illegal deforestation cases occurring in Chau Thuan commune, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quy Chau district has set out a number of key tasks requiring the Standing Committee of the Chau Thuan commune Party Committee to carry out.

That is to strengthen inspection, supervision and direct the Commune People's Committee to thoroughly handle the above-mentioned deforestation situation. Absolutely do not let violations recur.

Attach responsibility to the Party Executive Committee members and cadres in charge of villages for forest protection and development. If any village allows illegal deforestation, the cadre in charge of that area must take responsibility.

Also regarding this incident, on June 28, 2019, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district also announced the conclusion of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngo Duc Thuan district on handling violations of illegal deforestation in Chau Thuan commune.

Specifically, the Forest Protection Department is assigned to coordinate with the district police and relevant agencies to conduct inspections and prepare records to handle violations in accordance with the law for the above households. Currently, the situation of illegal deforestation and conversion of forest land after people are allocated forest land has occurred and become an "effect" in some localities, causing difficulties in forest management and protection, so the Department of Natural Resources and Environment is assigned to coordinate with the Forest Protection Department to advise the District People's Committee on solutions in the work of allocating forest land in the form of socialization and need to have people sign a commitment not to illegally deforest and convert the purpose after receiving the handover of forest land. The Department of Agriculture needs to strengthen state management of forest management and protection, regularly follow the grassroots to grasp the situation in order to prevent and promptly handle violations that occur, proactively report and explain violations when requested. The Department of Internal Affairs advises the district committee to take strict disciplinary action against party members who violate forest protection management regulations.