'Destructive' resin exploitation, risk of many pine trees dying

Currently, in the pine forests of Quynh Loc commune, instead of using conventional logging methods, many people use the "killing" technique - a form of logging that not only damages the trees but also reduces the vitality of the pine forests.

This method involves using a knife to prick the trunk of a tree in a large arc, approximately 60 cm long and up to 20 cm wide. The sap from the punctures flows into a bowl. While some trees are only pricked in a small area, many others have been pricked in 2-3 large areas, causing prolonged loss of bark and severe weakening of the tree. This has caused many pine trees in the area to show signs of drying out, increasing the risk of forest fires during the hot season.

Mr. Ho Quoc Uy - Chairman of Quynh Loc Commune People's Committee said that the commune currently has about 288 hectares of pine forest, but the statistics of "destructive" resin exploitation have not been fully implemented. Although the commune has inspected, mobilized and propagandized people to stop exploiting by this method, this work has encountered many difficulties. Because this is a production forest that has been assigned to households for many years, there are not yet strong enough sanctions to handle illegal exploitation.

Mr. Le Ngoc Huu - Head of Quynh Luu - Hoang Mai Forest Protection Department said that the correct way to exploit pine resin is to follow the process of carving longitudinally, in a rectangular shape (about 25 cm long and 6 cm wide), near the base of the tree. However, in Quynh Loc commune, people have exploited pine resin in a "destructive" way, with punctures wider and longer than the prescribed level. This method is only applied to weak trees or trees that have been allowed to be cut down and cleared.

Improper resin extraction, especially when the tree is over-tapped, causes severe damage to the bark, weakening its ability to grow. These punctures not only cause the tree to lose its vitality but also cause the leaves to dry out. When the dry season comes, this weakening also poses a potential risk of forest fires.

Pine trees grow quite quickly and can live up to 65-70 years if properly cared for and exploited. Both Quynh Loc and Quynh Lap communes in Hoang Mai town are currently experiencing "destructive" pine resin exploitation. Local people are concerned that if this situation continues, the pine forests will soon be seriously degraded, with large areas of trees dying.

Mr. Le Ngoc Huu - Head of Quynh Luu - Hoang Mai Forest Protection Department, said: "Because this is a pine forest managed and exploited by households, the forest rangers can only propagate and mobilize forest owners to exploit properly, but cannot apply punitive measures."

The current problem is the need for effective solutions to manage the exploitation of pine resin in a reasonable manner, both ensuring forest protection and preventing the risk of forest fires during the hot season.