KON TUM — A forest belonging to Đăk Tô Forestry Company in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum’s  Đăk Tô District, has been exploited severely, according to local people. The company, however, refuted the report.

At least five big trees in the forest area near Ngọc Ló Mountain is reported to have been cut down. Only some slides of wood, with diametre around 60cm and height of up to 4m, remain in the area as loggers have removed the trees out. Moreover, a 3m-wide road has been opened by the lumberjacks to access the area.

Considering the evidence, Nguyễn Thành Chung, company director, told the Vietnam News Agency that they tried their utmost to protect the forest.

“We put an end to massive wood exploitation. Regarding small cases when loggers cut and transport trees at night using motorbikes, we are unable to stop it,” he said. 

Nguyễn Mạnh Vũ, head of Đăk Tô District Forest Ranger, said the forest company has showed its inability in capturing information to handle the illegal cases of wood exploitation. Moreover, the collaboration between forest owners and the local authorities is not strong enough to conduct frequent investigations and stop the phenomenon.

The subdivisions numbered 274, 275, 276 and 279 in Đăk Rơ Nga Commune next to Đăk Ang Commune, Ngọc Hồi District, have become the hotspot for deforestation for a long time, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Loggers usually fell and slide trees at the spot then transfer them to hide all evidences. They divide themselves into groups of two to 15 each. Wood slides are then transported to Đăk Ang Commune or the adjacent area between the communes of Đăk Tô and Ngọc Hồi. — VNS