Identified a suspect in the cutting down of cherry blossom trees on Highway 1A

(Baonghean.vn) - A local resident's clip recorded the image of a man using a stick to destroy a series of cherry blossom trees on the median of National Highway 1A passing through Dien Chau district (Nghe An).

A subject is destroying trees on National Highway 1A through Dien Chau district. Photo cut from clip

More than 300 cherry trees were cut down by the subjects. Photo: Xuan Hoa

As reported by Nghe An Newspaper, recently, hundreds of cherry trees planted on the median strip of National Highway 1A, from Dien An Commune to Dien Thinh Commune (Dien Chau) were mercilessly cut down by criminals. This has caused public outrage, affected security and order, and especially had a significant impact on traffic activities in the area.

A subject destroyed a cherry blossom tree on the median strip. Source: Dien Chau 24h:

According to the latest statistics from the Road Management Department II.2 from the end of 2016 to present, on the more than 10km long road from Dien An commune to Dien Thinh commune (Dien Chau), 320 cherry blossom trees planted on the median strip of National Highway 1A have been cut down.

Thousands of cherry trees were planted by the Road Management Department II.2 in the median strip of National Highway 1A running through Dien Chau district after the upgrading and repair of the above National Highway was completed.

The purpose of planting trees is to prevent glare from oncoming headlights at night and help drivers detect obstacles early to reduce traffic accidents.

The situation of cutting down trees on the median strip in Dien An and Dien Thinh communes has been going on for a long time. Photo: Xuan Hoa

“Trees planted in the middle of the road divider are very good for drivers like us. Planting trees reduces glare from oncoming lights."It helps drivers observe the road ahead better to handle obstacles quickly, especially low-level obstacles that are difficult to detect at close range" - Mr. Nguyen Van Chung, a long-distance driver (Chairman of the Vietnam Drivers Association) shared.

However, since mid-October 2016, along National Highway 1A from Dien An Commune to Dien Thinh Commune, Dien Chau District, stretching about 10km, hundreds of cherry bamboo trees on the median strip have been cut down by people. Through a survey by reporters, on the section of National Highway 1A passing through the above area, cherry bamboo trees have been cut down sporadically by people in many locations. The cutting areas are mainly at three-way and four-way intersections where people live. The purpose of cutting down trees on the median strip is to take shortcuts across the road at places where there are no turns.

What the driver said when the tree was cut down on the median:

Discussing the above issue, Mr. Nguyen Viet Phuong - Road Management Department II.2 said: "According to preliminary statistics, the section of National Highway 1A passing through Dien An and Dien Thinh communes has 320 cherry trees cut down. After the above incident, we also sent a document to the People's Committees of the communes, Dien Chau District People's Committee and local police to remind people of the benefits of trees, as well as take measures to handle violators to end the above situation".

According to the reporter's observations, there are many deserted roads with no intersections or people living there, but the cherry trees are still cut down. In many places where there are turns on residential roads, the trees are also cut down and broken down to the roots.

Regarding the above situation, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duy Thanh - Head of Dien Chau District Police said: "We have received a report on the tree cutting incident on the median strip of National Highway 1A from the Road Management Department II.2. We are coordinating with localities where the above situation occurs to warn people and will take measures to handle violations according to the provisions of the law"./.

Xuan Hoa