Da Lat City officials, on Friday, began an investigation into the deforestation in Commune 12’s subzone 151.

Twenty pine trees were cut down in an area of more than 1,000sq.m. — Photo thanhnien.vn

Two suspects being investigated are 36-year-old Doan Van Dung from Dong Nai Province and 31-year-old Nguyen Van Ngoc from Thai Binh Province.

Dũng said he hired Ngoc and five others to cut down 20 pine trees in order to sell vacant land at VNĐ200 million (US$8,800) per 1,000sq.m. Those pine trees were then cut into small pieces and burnt. The destroyed forest is located near the national road connecting Da Lat City with Nha Trang City.

Vo Thanh Son, head of Da Lat City Forest Rangers, said that they inspected the area on Wednesday and have collaborated with Da Lat City Police to conduct the investigation.

Lam Dong Province People’s Committee allocated the pine forest to Đoàn Văn Dũng’s family to build the Cat Minh Ecotourism area. Since they are incapable of implementing the plan, the local authority decided to withdraw the project and hand over the land to Lam Vien Da Lat Forest Management Board.

At present, officials have detained five people as part of the investigation. — VNS