Quynh Tan Commune (Quynh Luu) condones violations in forestry land exploitation?

In May 2021, Nghe An Newspaper received a petition from people about the situation.land exploitationforestry has been going on for a long time in hamlet 6, Quynh Tan commune (Quynh Luu). On the afternoon of May 24, being present at hamlet 6, Quynh Tan commune, witnessing the reality happening here, it shows that the people's reflections are well-founded.

The inter-commune road in hamlet 6, Quynh Tan (Quynh Luu) is severely damaged. Photo: NL

From the center of Quynh Luu district, following the inter-commune road from Ngoc Son commune to Quynh Tan commune, after 3:00 p.m., along the way we encountered many large trucks carrying soil and rocks continuously coming in and out. People living along this road said that the road had previously been paved with asphalt, but after a period of time, the continuous traffic of trucks carrying soil and rocks had turned the road surface into a mess, full of “buffalo ridges” and “elephant potholes”…

Exploited land areas. Photo: NL

At hamlet 6, Quynh Tan commune, the area next to An Ngai dam, at around 3:00 p.m. on May 24, half of a hill had been dug up, and the surface of the remaining half of the hill was covered with large tree stumps that had been chopped down.landand burned to a crisp. The burning of trees continued, causing smoke and dust to cover a corner of the sky. Next to it, an excavator was still operating, clearing the ground for large and small trucks to run busily.

Many trucks carrying soil operate in Hamlet 6, Quynh Tan Commune (Quynh Luu). Photo taken at 3:30 p.m. on May 24. Photo: HT

Many hills here have been cut down and dug up for sale, some hills with lush green pine trees have also been dug up, leaving high, vertical walls of earth due to the digging of the soil at the foot of the hill, threatening to collapse at any time. With the current situation, many hills have been dug up in large quantities in hamlet 6, Quynh Tan commune.

Excavators operating in Hamlet 6, Quynh Tan. Photo taken at 3:30 p.m. on May 24. Photo: HT

Observations at the scene in Hamlet 6, Quynh Tan Commune showed that there were many types of trucks of different brands entering the area in many sizes. The Howo trucks with large loads were transporting soil from Quynh Tan Commune to Ngoc Son Commune, while the smaller trucks were going from Hamlet 6, Quynh Tan Commune to Quynh Van Commune road.

Residents of Hamlet 6, Quynh Tan Commune set up barriers to prevent trucks from running at high speed, causing dust and affecting their lives. Photo: HT

Going deeper into Hamlet 6, we came across a barrier that the locals had built across the road with trees, and on the barrier pole was a homemade sign with the words “Environmental Protection”. Mr. Ho Sy Son, who lives in Hamlet 6, said about the barrier that the locals built across the road: “Trucks carrying dirt run continuously day and night, causing dense dust that no one can control. We have to protect our own health. Anyone driving through here, please slow down to reduce the dust for our people.”

A homemade sign attached to a barrier reads "Protect the environment". Photo: HT

It is known that to protest against the excessive number of trucks carrying dirt running in the area, causing dust affecting life, the people of Hamlet 6 have repeatedly erected barriers, blocking the trucks from operating. However, this situation still occurs today. At the intersection of the inter-hamlet road between Quynh Tan commune and Quynh Van inter-commune, there is an additional barrier made of solid steel pipes. According to the people here, this barrier was just erected about 7-8 days ago, used to block large trucks from entering and exiting Hamlet 6 road.

On the afternoon of May 24, tree burning and land exploitation were still taking place in Hamlet 6, Quynh Tan Commune. Photo: HT

Based on people's feedback and actual observations, the current situation in Hamlet 6, Quynh Tan Commune shows signs that local authorities are condoning illegal exploitation of forest land in the area.