VietNamNet Bridge – Over 1,000 hectares of forest in the Ban Don Eco-tourism site has been destroyed in the last year by illegal loggers.

The forest is still under the protection of forest rangers. However, the forest rangers are finding it more difficult to discover illegal loggers in the rainy season.

Meanwhile, illegal loggers have become so experienced that they can easily hide themselves from forest rangers.

The loggers have more than enough experience to hide saws and the tools in the bushes.

Even if policemen hear the noise from engine saws, they may not be able to find the places where loggers are.

The illegal loggers are protected by ‘guards’ who will alert them with mobile phones in case policemen come.

A local resident noted that the forest has nearly been ruined. “They are willing to chop down young trees as well, if they can find buyers,” he said.

The man said that in the rainy season illegal loggers usually walk into the forest instead of driving motorbikes and hold timber on their backs.

The method is effective. They can take shortcuts and leave no tracks on their way. In case they meet policemen, they will be able to escape, and disperse and hide exhibits.

However, they sometimes carry timber on self-modified motorbikes to save time.

A group of carriers comprises two members. One drives vehicles, while the other sits behind.

In case they are chased by policemen, the other will have the “responsibility” of throwing timber away to destroy evidence.

Two years ago, a group of illegal loggers was caught red-handed when illegally cutting down tens of cubic meters of wood in the Ban Don eco-forest.

However, the criminal prosecution against the loggers did not make others shrink from continuing their illegal activities.

The illegal logging, according to local residents, has become more and more serious, especially in the last year, when control was loosened.

The “logging force” in the locality has become more powerful recently. People, encouraged by the high income, rush to go to the forest to fell trees to sell for money.

Even young pterocarpus wood can also be sold for VND10,000-15,000 per kilo at the forest’s edge. As such, if a logger can carry 50 kilos of young pterocarpus out of the forest, he can earn VND500,000-700,000 a day. The income would be even higher if they can find precious timber.

The Ban Don eco-forest can be divided into several different areas, depending on the terrain’s characteristics, altitude and humidity. These include pterocarpus, ca chit (Shorea roxburghii C. Don), cam xe (Xylia xylocarpa), muong den (Cassia siamea Lam) and cam lai (Dalbergia) areas. Ca chit and cam xe wood can be sold for VND10 million per cubic meter.

ANTD