White storks fly over fields in Hương Phong Commune, the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồ Cầu

THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — Authorities in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế have issued an order to protect wild birds after a large amount of birds moved to settle in residential areas.

Phan Ngọc Thọ, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, has requested all local authorities strengthen the protection of wild birds to gradually build Huế into a green city and a safe haven of wild animals.

The official last week urged localities to control, prevent and strictly punish all acts of trapping, hunting, shooting, trading, transporting, storing and slaughtering of wild birds and animals living in and around residential areas such as parks, ponds, lakes and lagoons.

He asked them to hold programmes on disseminating, educating and introducing about regulations and laws on the management, control and conservation of wildlife, particularly wild birds, and support all actions to prevent the abuse and killing of the birds.

He also appealed for businesses in the area to sign commitments to not buy, sell, use, consume, display or advertise wild birds.

Local authorities should regularly conduct inspections to discover violations, according to Thọ.

The provincial leader also requested prohibiting cadres, civil servants and authority officials of localities from using products derived from wild animals and wild birds.

Nguyễn Đại Anh Tuấn, deputy director of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development cum head of the provincial Forest Protection Department, said the department was working with other agencies to develop guidelines for the ban in accordance with the law.

He said the direction would also cover activities related to the management of ornamental birds to make it relevant to local situations and other regulations and laws.

Earlier, a large amount of wild birds including flocks of while storks were seen flying along canals and paddy fields to search for food in the province.

The appearance of wild birds has been reported as a good sign for the local ecological environment but has also resulted in increased illegal wildlife hunting and trading in the province. — VNS 

Flocks of white storks in Quảng Phú Commune, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồ Cầu