QUẢNG NAM — Local administration and provincial agencies are investigating illegal logging in the Bắc Trà My District’s protective forest.

Trần Anh Tuấn, Chairman of the district’s People’s Committee, confirmed the ongoing investigation to the Việt Nam News yesterday, saying that the illegal forest destruction has occurred in Trà Sơn and Trà Giác communes – some 70km away from the provincial capital Tam Kỳ City.

Tuấn said the district, in co-operation with provincial rangers, examined the destroyed area in the two communes, finding that four big logs were cut down.

However, a local source said illegal logging has occurred in the area for long time, with well-organised loggers and transporters. Local residents said dozens of big trees – with diameters from 40cm to 60cm – had been logged or already sawed into panels for transport.

Some villagers said they were hired to carry wood from the forest to the roadside with a cost of between VNĐ300,000 (US$13.27) and VNĐ400,000 ($17.7) for each trip.

The destroyed forest areas are under the management of the Bắc Trà My Ranger sub-department and the management board of Sông Tranh protective forest.

The chairman of the district said the case is under investigation, and a detailed report on the illegal logging will be announced later.

Last year, Quảng Nam Province punished several officials after illegal logging operations were discovered in La Dê Commune in Nam Giang District.

The provincial investigation agencies said a total 115.4cu.m  of Pơ Mu timber (Fokienia hodginsii) – a threatened species on the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List in 2006 – were chopped down or sawed into panels in Nam Giang District. — VNS