PM orders probe into Đắk Lắk illegal logging

June 16, 2017 - 15:00

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked Đắk Lắk Province’s People’s Committee to investigate illegal logging in Ea Súp District.

Timbers cut down by illegal loggers seized by Đắk Lắk Province’s forest protection division. — Photo nhandan.com.vn
Viet Nam News

ĐẮK LẮK — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked Đắk Lắk Province’s People’s Committee to investigate illegal logging in Ea Súp District.

The PM’s order has been prompted by several reports in local newspapers since early March about large-scale deforestation in the district. For example, the Nhân dân (People) newspaper reported that forest rangers had seized nearly 100 cubic metres of wood cut down by illegal loggers in a two-month period.

Heaps of timber have been spotted along the roads in Ia Lốp and Ia Jlơi communes, and even in front of the Ia Jlơi Commune People’s Committee office, raising concerns that the illegal loggers have the backing of the local authorities.

The dry season is said to be the best time of the year for illegal loggers as the forest is less dense and paths are more accessible, making it easy to transport the timber out.

Phúc has also asked the provincial People’s Committee to clarify the issues raised by local media and investigate illegal logging without delay.

Đắk Lắk Province has 86,000 hectares of forest land. Of this, 80,960 hectares are natural forest, and the rest have been planted. — VNS

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