Over 4,500 hectares of forest in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong have been being destroyed for years, while local authorities said they know nothing.

 70% of forest trees chopped down without authorities knowledge

From 2008 to 2013, more than 4,500 hectares of forest trees were cut down. Even though Truong Xuan Forestry Company is responsible for this land, it has ignored the problem completely, as local residents clear the forest for living and agricultural lands.

Ha Van Tuat, who cleared forest for rubber and coffee plantations, expressed surprise upon learning that his land is managed by Truong Xuan Company. He said, "I bought this 2 hectares of land in 2009 and the transaction didn't involve any forestry company." Tuan said dozens of residents in Truong Xuan Commune have been exploiting this forest. Some bought the land while other reclaimed land from the wild.

Pham Quoc Thuy, chairman of Truong Xuan Commune People's Committee, said, "It's a violation for these residents to clear and use this land. They're not the owners or managers."

A representative of Truong Xuan Forestry Company said that because of financial difficulties they have had to cut staff and could not employ enough rangers to protect the forest. However, they could not explain why the company had never reported the issue to the authorities and continued making fire safety and prevention plans for land they had allowed local residents use.

According authorities in Dak Nong Province, due to the complex situation, they do not intend to pursue criminal prosecutions. They proposed to reprimand the chairman and several employees of Truong Xuan Forestry Company and officials of Dac Song District People's Committee.

Some, however, think that if this case is not strictly dealt with, the remaining trees on nearly 2,000 hectares would soon disappear and rivers and streams would run dry.