VN forests shrink as more people use land for agricultural production

Despite the PM’s decision on forest closure, the Central Highlands' forests are shrinking every day because of illegal logging.

Gia Lai provincial authorities plan to inspect SEVEN forest management units in the province this year.

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Many forest management units are subject to inspection because so much forestland has been lost even though they are under strict protection.

Just in the last 10 years, the province has lost 76,000 hectares of land. The Duc Co protective forest Management Unit was assigned to control and protect 15,000 hectares of forestland, but it has lost 9,000 hectares over the last eight years, or 2/3 of the total forests it has to protect.

The Cu M’Lan Forestry Company in Dak Lak was assigned by the local authorities to manage 14,700 hectares of forestland in 2009, but more than 10,500 hectares have been lost.

Just in the last 10 years, the province has lost 76,000 hectares of land. The Duc Co protective forest Management Unit was assigned to control and protect 15,000 hectares of forestland, but it has lost 9,000 hectares over the last eight years, or 2/3 of the total forests it has to protect.

Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper reported that the total forest area lost so far has reached hundreds of thousand of hectares. Illegal loggers chop down trees, clear forest land, and now peel and poison the trees with chemicals to appropriate land.

Many disputes related to forestland encroachment have occurred, which led to bloodshed and imprisonment. In some cases, lives were lost in the disputes, such as the one between people in Quang Duc commune, Tuy Duc district, Dak Nong province and Long Son Company on October 23, 2016.

The PM some years ago commanded the closure of natural forests in the Central Highlands, but the forests continue to disappear.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Forestry Directorate General, said many migrants try to appropriate forestland for agricultural production.

In 1976, the Central Highlands had 1.2 million people, and now has 6 million, or a five-fold increase.

Analysts point out that the local forests disappear because they contain precious wood which can bring big money to some people.

The leaders of the General Directorate of Forestry said local authorities don’t pay appropriate attention to managing and protecting forests.

The land area taken back to replant forests is small. Ayun H’but, deputy chair of Gia Lai People’s Council, said the province has taken back only 10,700 hectares out of 76,000 hectares of forests lost.

Thien Nhien