More information on illegal logging in Que Phong

(Baonghean.vn) After Nghe An newspaper published an article on November 23, 2011, "Close-up view of illegal timber going downstream", Que Phong District People's Committee inspected and provided additional information on the situation of forest management and protection in the area as follows:

Que Phong is one of the few districts in the province that still preserves forests with many rare trees and valuable woods such as: po mu, sa mu, doi, de... Recently, Que Phong district has invested in many large hydroelectric projects, such as Hua Na with a capacity of 180 MW, so it had to convert 3,269 hectares of forestry land to build factories, reservoirs and resettlement areas. Roads were opened to the forest gate, making transportation convenient but also causing difficulties for forest management and protection.

Illegal loggers often cut the logs into small pieces and hire porters to carry them wherever they are cut; the transporters are mostly unemployed young men, drug addicts, each person usually carries 3-4 logs, some use weapons, do not hesitate to use any means, use some "satellites" to spy, when the authorities are not careful, they call the people inside to transport the wood, when necessary, they are ready to rush straight into the inspection force...

Faced with the above situation, the People's Committee of Que Phong district has implemented many measures such as: organizing meetings on forest protection with Thuong Xuan district (Thanh Hoa) and meetings between Dong Van and Thong Thu communes with communes bordering other districts, with the participation and direction of the Head of Nghe An Forest Protection Department to evaluate the results of coordination and unify measures, sign coordination regulations between the two districts and between communes in border areas.

In addition, Que Phong district and the provincial Forest Protection Department also met to discuss forest protection measures in two complex areas, Dong Van, Thong Thu and Hanh Dich, Tien Phong, with the participation of all relevant functional forces. An interdisciplinary forest patrol and protection team of 18 people was established under the direction of the district to carry out the task of protecting and preventing and fighting forest fires in the two complex areas above. In early November, the district chaired a meeting and discussed forest protection work; thereby assessing what has been done and what has not been done; at the same time, directing functional branches to strengthen forces, promote forest protection activities, and prevent illegal exploitation and transportation of forest products.

After 5 months of operation, the interdisciplinary team has inspected forests, checked, prevented, and blocked roads, thereby arresting and handling 82 violations, confiscating 113 cubic meters of wood of various types, and imposing fines of 211 million VND. However, due to the complex nature of forest protection work, despite active activities, some shortcomings and loopholes cannot be avoided, so some cars and motorbikes illegally transporting forest products still exist, as reported by Nghe An newspaper.

To prevent illegal logging and transportation of timber in the area, the People's Committee of Que Phong district directed communes to immediately deploy forest protection measures; assigned communes to establish patrol and protection teams, especially communes in key areas with high risk of deforestation; organized propaganda to mobilize households not to participate in illegal logging and transportation of timber, checked temporary residence, temporary absence, not allowed to store motorbikes or timber in the family; assigned border guard stations to direct and closely coordinate with border communes, promote forest protection activities according to Directive 1685/TTg dated September 27, 2011 of the Prime Minister.

In addition, continue to strengthen the activities of the Interdisciplinary Forest Protection Team established under the Decision of the District People's Committee, now adding some members, especially the Police and the District Military Command, organizing forest inspection, patrolling day and night on the roads to prevent the phenomenon of motorbikes and cars transporting wood; closely inspecting carpentry workshops and sawmills; planting information, monitoring cases to have handling measures.

However, due to the complex terrain and increasingly sophisticated and reckless activities of forest destroyers, the People's Committee of Que Phong district requests timely attention and direction from the Forest Protection Department and relevant sectors of the province so that forest protection work in the district can be improved.

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