Photo for illustration. Many trees have been illegally chopped down in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Quảng Bình Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG BÌNH Police in Quảng Bình Province have launched criminal proceedings against seven people suspected on involvement in a deforestation case discovered at the beginning of March in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park.

They are Mai Văn Dinh, Lê Văn Trung, Trần Văn Viên, Nguyễn Văn Hùng, Trần Văn Hoan, Mai Kiên Cường and Mai Văn Bình. All reside in Sơn Trạch Commune, Bố Trạch District, vietnamplus.vn reported.

They were charged with violating regulations on exploitation and protection of forests and forest products.

Six of them have been detained for four months to serve the investigation while Mai Kiên Cường has been released on bail and placed under house arrest.

According to Colonel Đặng Văn Hoành, head of the Bố Trạch District police, this is a case of serious deforestation.

About 66 trees with a total volume of nearly 100cu.m were cut down at zone 649 and 650 in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Thượng Trạch Commune, Bố Trạch District.

In the middle of March, rangers from the forest protection station in Quảng Ninh District also found dozens of trees measuring between 40 and 120cm in diameter that had been illegally chopped down. — VNS