Deforestation inspections ordered by Deputy PM
HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to inspect and report on deforestation causing damage to a local upstream area in southern Dong Nai Province.
The move came after local media recently reported on the poor management of Viet Nam Forest Corporation's La Nga Forest subsidary.
"If any violation is confirmed, the company will have to take full responsibility for what happened by law," Hai said.
According to the Viet Nam News Agency correspondent in the province, the company has been assigned to manage, cultivate and grow seedlings across 23,000 ha, including more than 19,000ha of local upstream forest located in Dinh Quan District.
The company is believed to have illegally signed 109 contracts putting around 200ha of production and teak forest under local individuals' management during 1995-2011.
Therefore, over 100ha of teak forest, which was planted in the 1980s under a State policy to create precious wood, were illegally chopped down to grow cashew, mango and mandarin trees.
The company also illegally exploited lo o (Bambusa procera Chev.&Camus) and mun (Diospyros mun) timber in some areas without corporate permission.
Recently, Dinh Quan District Police seized 26 cubic metres of teak wood from poachers, which was handed over to the company, but then sold illegally.
The corporation suspended company director Nguyen Thanh Cong and his deputy Nguyen Thanh Lam for failing to carry out their duties in proper forest management and protection. — VNS