Nghe An: Hot post-deforestation treatment

(Baonghean.vn) - Since the beginning of 2017, Nghe An authorities have taken drastic measures to handle violations of forestry laws.

A rich forest with sa mu trees in the protective forest of Luu Kien commune (Tuong Duong). Photo: PV

The case of deforestation in Tuong Duong district was discovered by the district's interdisciplinary team in February 2017; xhery occurred in the border area between the two border communes of Tam Hop and Luu Kien, with an average altitude of 1,400m to 1,500m above sea level. In recent years, these two communes have had prominent incidents related to illegal logging. A typical case was the case of illegal logging of 49 po mu trees, which was clarified by the authorities in 2014.

Officers of Tuong Duong Forest Protection Department carry out inventory and recover evidence to serve the investigation in Tam Hop commune. Photo: PV

Immediately after receiving the information, the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee and the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district promptly reported to the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee.Under the direct direction of the Provincial Party Committee, in March 2017, the Standing Committee of Tuong Duong District Party Committee directed the relevant agencies to expand the investigation along the entire Vietnam-Laos border in Tam Hop and Luu Kien communes. On March 27, 2017, Tuong Duong District Police issued Decision No. 41 to initiate a criminal case of violating regulations on forest exploitation and protection.

Expanding the investigation, the interdisciplinary forces determined that the total amount of wood cut down was nearly 300m³. Through on-site examination, it was found that most of the felled trees had not yet been removed from the forest, some had fallen into deep ravines, some were hollow; and all were in a state of rotting trunks and bark; the stumps of the felled trees were now covered with trees and a layer of ground cover. Along with the paths for transporting timber on the mountainside that the violators created to slide timber were filled with mud, rocks, and trees; the joint force determined that this was not a new case of deforestation; but occurred before the time of forest closure, about a few years ago.

A po mu tree was cut down several years ago in the protective forest in Luu Kien commune. Photo: PV

Also from February 2017, in Quy Hop district, the authorities discovered the phenomenon of people in Nam Son commune illegally burning and clearing forests on the area assigned by the State according to Decree 163/1999/ND-CP of the Government. In essence, the burning and clearing of forests in Nam Son commune is to convert the purpose of land use, from natural production forests to raw material forests. With the direction of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, the District Party Committee and the People's Committee of Quy Hop district assigned the local authorities to quickly take action. Through verification, it was determined that the burned and cleared forest area was mainly in the state of natural restored forest, belonging to group IIB with the main tree species being: rang rang, de, ba soi, tre, nua... In addition, the violators were identified, with a total of 16 households all residing in Nam Son commune.

In Tan Ky district, since the end of 2014, on the border between this district and Yen Thanh district, in Ky Tan commune, there has been encroachment on protective forest land. In 2017 alone, the authorities of the province and Tan Ky district inspected and determined that many households from Tay Thanh and Quang Thanh communes (Yen Thanh) had secretly entered Ky Tan commune to encroach on protective forest land managed and protected by the Tan Ky Protective Forest Management Board.

Regarding the cases of violations of regulations on forest exploitation and protection in the two communes of Na Ngoi and Nam Can of Ky Son district, the Investigation Police Agency of the district police has prosecuted 4 cases with 12 defendants; in which Na Ngoi has 1 case, 1 defendant, Nam Can has 3 cases, 11 defendants. After the investigation, the Investigation Police Agency of the Ky Son district police has transferred 3 cases to the district People's Procuracy to prosecute the violators before the law.

Defendants at the trial of the deforestation case in Ky Son on September 27, 2017. Photo: PV

Thus, from the beginning of 2017 until now, under the consistent direction of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, relevant levels and sectors have continuously and resolutely handled violations of the Law on Forest Protection and Development. These are very proactive and necessary moves to effectively carry out the work of forest protection and development, and maintain security and order throughout the province.

PV Group