VietNamNet Bridge – Hundreds of pine trees in Lam Ha District in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong were allegedly poisoned to death, according to local authorities.

A pine tree seen in September in Bao Lam District after being poisoned by a chemical substance. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Dung

A Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent reported a vast swath of pine forest in Hamlet 6, Gia Lam Commune had turned red. All the trees, with diameters ranging from 25 to 40cm, had numerous holes on their trunks. A plastic bottle containing pesticides was found in the area.

Le Khac Phuc, deputy chairman of Gia Lam Commune People’s Committee, told VNA that 647 pine trees covering a 16,800sq.m area were poisoned. All the trees are under the management of Nam Ban Protective Forest Management Board.

“The saboteurs dug holes in the trunks and poured pesticide into them, making it difficult for the authorities to detect,” Phuc said.

“The saboteurs often take advantage of the dark night or harsh weather to conduct their activities,” Ho Canh Minh, head of Nam Ban Protective Forest Management Board. “They use drills with silencers to avoid discovery."

The Lam Ha Forest Ranger Unit has asked the district’s police to investigate the case.

This is not the first time this kind of incident has happened in Lam Dong Province. In September, 76 pine trees in Bao Lam District were reportedly harmed by similar methods. The culprits used sharp tools to cut into the trunks and poured chemical substances into them.

Source: VNS