Dalat tightens measures to protect pine forest
Authorities in the Central Highlands city of Dalat have requested people to ask for permission before cutting down any pine tree, as part of efforts to protect pine forests in the area from illegal logging.
The station also added that for home-grown pine trees, people also need to report and get confirmation from local authorities if they want to cut down the trees measuring from 10 centimetres in diameter onwards.
"If any wild trees are dying or posing threat to people's lives, residents can report to authorities who will arrive to check and decide on a solution," the station said. "Anyone who cuts down the trees without reporting will be dealt with as though they are illegal loggers and face fines."
The move by local authorities came after dozens of old pine trees were recently cut down in the city, arousing public anger.
On April 22, authorities came to check after dozens of pine trees over 100 years old were cut down along some streets and historical sites in the city.
Three other trees are badly burnt and could fall anytime on Tran Hung Dao Street, which threatens passers-by.
According to the forest rangers, the trees have diameters from 40- 72 centimetres and are from 12-20 metres tall. They had all died before being cut down.
Local authorities have yet to find the loggers.
Some old pine trees are cut down by illegal loggers in Dalat City
On April 25, the Dalat City Forest Ranger Station announced that the pine trees in the area used to belong to local forests and are state assets. Therefore, even if the trees now lie on land plots that have been privatised, the owners still need to ask for permission from local authorities if they want to cut them down.
The station also added that for home-grown pine trees, people also need to report and get confirmation from local authorities if they want to cut down the trees measuring from 10 centimetres in diameter onwards.
"If any wild trees are dying or posing threat to people's lives, residents can report to authorities who will arrive to check and decide on a solution," the station said. "Anyone who cuts down the trees without reporting will be dealt with as though they are illegal loggers and face fines."
The move by local authorities came after dozens of old pine trees were recently cut down in the city, arousing public anger.
On April 22, authorities came to check after dozens of pine trees over 100 years old were cut down along some streets and historical sites in the city.
At a hill near the Bao Dai King Palace, newly-cut trees covered the site besides those which had been cut long ago.
Three other trees are badly burnt and could fall anytime on Tran Hung Dao Street, which threatens passers-by.
According to the forest rangers, the trees have diameters from 40- 72 centimetres and are from 12-20 metres tall. They had all died before being cut down.
Local authorities have yet to find the loggers.
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