Pine trees have been chopped down in Đà Lạt City. — VNA/VNS Photo

LÂM ĐỒNG — The People’s Committee of the Central Highlands’ province of Lâm Đồng has announced it would discipline leaders and forest owners who failed to prevent deforestation in their localities over the past three weeks.

The committee took the bold move after reviewing the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s reports on the deforestation in Di Linh, Đam Rông districts and Đà Lạt City between March 23 and April 9.

Phạm S, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said related collectives and individuals, including forest owners, leaders of the communal people's committees and forest rangers in the area where deforestation occurred would have to take responsibility for their lax management. 

He requested the authorities of Đam Rông and Di Linh districts and Đà Lạt City to urgently investigate the deforestation and strictly handle violations.

From March 25 to April 9, at least five deforestation cases have been reported, including one case in Di Linh District’s Đinh Trang Thượng Commune under the management of Tân Thượng Forest Management Board, three cases in Đam Rông District’s S’roonh Commune under the management of Sêrêpốk Forest Management Board and one case in Đà Lạt City’s Ward 3 under the management of Lâm Viên Forest Management Board.

Those who caused wrongdoing and irresponsibility would be disciplined.

The work must be reported to the provincial People's Committees before May 30.

S also asked forest owners and the People's Committees of communes and wards to strengthen patrols and clear the deforested area for re-planting work.

Those who were found to use the deforested area for personal purposes must be strictly punished. — VNS