VietNamNet Bridge – A Dak Lak Province decision to let a private enterprise use 357ha of forest while local farmers are badly in need of land has ignited tensions in the area.

More than 1,000 farmers riding three-wheeled vehicles and motorbikes stormed the forest in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highland) of Krong Nang District between November 12-15, destroying nearly 50 ha of the 340ha subregion between Ea Puk and Ea Dah communes, according to Krong Nang Protective Forest Management Department (KNPFMD).

"I have never witnessed such a huge number of people. They intended to stay for days, so they prepared food, set up tents and divided the land among themselves," said Nguyen Van Luong, deputy director of KNPFMD.

"We made every effort to co-ordinate with authorities to call for the farmers' co-operation, but they refused," said Luong.

In a report, the district's People's Committee said among those involved were 300 households that faced a serious shortage of land and eligible for land grants in line with Government decisions 132 and 134.

The report said while the land available for those eligible was insufficient, the provincial People's Committee decided to permit Loc Phat Ltd Co. to survey and plan rubber plantations in sub regions 332, 340a, 340b and 342 which are under KNPFMD management.

However, while the provincial People's Committee was still deciding whether or not to lease the land, deputy head of the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department, Nguyen Van Xuan, gave the company the green light to build nurseries and houses, and deploy security guards.

This started the dispute between the enterprise and local residents, resulting in protests in late August and early September. Three similar incidents ruined nearly 23 ha of forest land in the district.

"We were given land in accordance with Government decisions 132 and 134 but it was not enough to cultivate," said Y Bloi Nie, a local resident in Wiao A Hamlet.

"We know it is illegal to destroy the forest, but we feared that the company would take all our land so we had to come here to protect it."

Another farmer in the hamlet chipped in.

"We know Loc Phat Company resold a forestation project in Ea H'leo District, we are sure they will do the same thing in the future. The local authorities should clarify the company's intention to use forest land for rubber plantation," said Y Bhenh Nie.

On the afternoon of November 12, the provincial People's Committee announced it would withdraw its decision. However, the demonstrations continued with around 70 additional participants the next day.

The Krong Nang People's Committee then promised to settle land supply for those in need within three months, instead of "as soon as possible" as promised earlier.

Eventually, they withdrew on November 15. However, the committee warned that further protests might occur so local authorities and forest management officials should keep a close eye on the situation.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News