Pu Mat National Park encroachment: Due to people entering the forest to collect orchids?

Nghe An: Verifying and clarifying the case of encroachment on the primary forest of Pu Mat National Park

(Baonghean.vn) - This content is shown in urgent document No. 5403/UBND-NN dated August 1, 2019 of the People's Committee of Nghe An province, on inspection, handling, and reporting of illegal forest exploitation in Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district.

Scene of 54 wooden slabs identified as being cut from 3 dổi trees. Photo by Contributor

Specifically, document No. 279 stated that among the 99 felled trees, 3 were sawn into 54 slabs; the remaining 96 trees were scattered at the scene of 5 sub-regions 833, 836A, 825, 832, 834.

According to information from the people, 54 pieces of dổi wood were exploited a long time ago (with signs of dryness and rot), and were recently gathered in one place to wait for the rain and flood to transport them through the Tang stream to the Khang stream.

The remaining 96 trees were mainly cut down by residents of Bung and Co Phat villages to harvest orchids. Most of the wood is still at the site. The cutting time was from late May to June 2019.

One of 96 trees in the primary forest of Pu Mat National Park that were cut down. Photo: Contributor

Pung Village, where the Dan Lai people live, is located in the core of the primary forest of Pu Mat National Park. Photo: Nhat Lan

However, the District People's Committee also identified the content of the report of Pu Mat National Park as an important information channel, and directed relevant agencies in the area to strengthen the work of preventing the phenomenon of illegal trading and transportation of forest products and secondary forest products; at the same time, directed the District Police to preside over information collection, investigation and verification to clarify.

Map of locations of the primary forest areas of Pu Mat National Park that have been encroached upon. Photo: Contributor