Deforestation ravaging natural forests in Bình Phước

Illegal logging is a persistent issue in many parts of southern Bình Phước Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

BÌNH PHƯỚC — Deforestation continues to damage natural forests in southern Bình Phước Province in spite of the Government’s order to close natural forest gates, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The provincial Forest Management Department said local agencies had already discovered  一 二 四 violations of forestry management regulations this year, including  三0 cases of illegally transporting wood and  二 八 cases of deforestation.

The latest case unfolded last week, when forest rangers on patrol in Tân Lập Co妹妹une, Đồng Phú District found  二 四 trees being illegally cut down. Many of the trees were large, with their diametres reaching one metre.

Head of the Forest Management Unit of the district, Bùi Xuân Ngọc, told Vietnam News Agency that some round wood pieces were left at the scene. The case is still under investigation.

Province authorities have also discovered tens of cases of unlawful wood trading, storing and processing during this period.

Forests in the province’s Bù Đốp and Bù Gia Mập Districts have also been ravaged by illegal loggers who chopped down  三0 ươi (malva nut) trees just for the nuts.

The total amount of wood illegally felled was over  三 五 cu.m.  

Ươi seeds are often used in traditional Chinese medicine to ease gastrointestinal disorders and soothe soar throats. As the market price of ươi seeds rose, people rushed to the protected forests to hunt for nuts. At present, ươi seeds are sold at a price of around VNĐ  三00,000 (US $ 一 三) each.

At a press briefing in June, Chairman of the People’s Co妹妹ittee of Bù Đốp District Đoàn Văn Thảo said anyone discovered to have illegally cut down the trees would be severely punished. He also warned officials not to “cover” for the violations.

However, he said the lack of workers and tough natural conditions made it difficult to inspect and protect the whole forest. — VNS