Protection forest bleeds out under rangers' nose in Vietnam

By Dac Thanh March 30, 2018 | 08:06 pm PT

Large-scale logging has been going on for half a year now but officials only found out on Friday.

A part of Song Kon, a protection forest in Vietnam’s central province of Quang Nam, has turned into timber under the hands of poachers.

But the situation was just discovered Friday when the provincial authorities, led by deputy mayor Le Tri Thanh, took a tour to the forest to check on illegal logging.

The situation was discovered on Friday when the provincial authorities, led by its vice chairman, took a tour to the forest to check on illegal logging.

As many as 33 big trees measuring over 72 cubic meters have been cut down.

As many as 33 big trees have been cut down.

This tree used to stand more than 10 meters (32.8 feet). Now it is cut into three different sections.

This tree used to stand more than 10 meters (32.8 feet). Now it is cut into three logs.

This one has a diameter of more than one meter. Poachers have been cut down big trees for months but somehow the authorities did not find out, a local told VnExpress.

This one has a diameter of more than one meter. “Poachers have cut down big trees for months but somehow the authorities did not find out,” a local told VnExpress.

A piece of timber that stretches 4 meters long, one meter wide. Police have identified five local poachers that involve in the logging and will look further into the case to see if the rangers or local authorities have let it happen without doing anything. These poachers camped inside the forest for days, cutting the trees into pieces of timber and have buffaloes carried the timber out of the forest.

A piece of timber that stretches four meters long, one meter wide. Police have identified five local poachers involved in the logging and will look further into the case to see if any rangers or local officials have let it happen without doing anything. These poachers camped inside the forest for days, cutting the trees into pieces and have buffaloes carry the timber out of the forest, investigation found.

Ho Van Minh, director of the forest management board, admitted that he had been neglected to let such a case happen. Local police said they have taken criminal proceeding against this logging case.

Ho Van Minh, director of the forest management board, has admitted to "shortcomings" in his job. "Inadequate surveillance has caused this large-scale deforestation to happen," Minh said.

Song Kon protection forest from afar. Deputy mayor Thanh said the province will have appropriate punishments in case any rangers or officials are found guilty.

Song Kon protection forest from afar. The province has urged police to investigate further and pledged to punish any rangers or officials responsible.