Logging activity has led to the decimation of forests around a small village in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

Old growth forest in Ja Wam Hamlet, Ea Kiet Commune, Cu M’gar District, have been nearly destroyed by logging and fire. Some of these forests are now littered with sawdust of cut down trees, while others have completely disappeared.

Loggers often use sophisticated tricks to evade rangers. And even if they are caught, they are simply fined ant released.

Some rangers have even been assaulted. Recently three were attacked and injured near a local farm, apparently for revenge. Ten days after being attacked by the violators, Nguyen Dinh Than, one of the three victims, is still not able to walk normally.

In 2008, Dak Lak Province started a VND18 billion (USD861,244) project to build a 15-ha resettlement area in M’gar District for 80 households away from a forest, which is being destroyed by human activity. However the project has not been carried out. So the deforestation continues.

Pham Dinh Tuong, Director of Ja Wam Village’s Farm, said that the local authoriies need support and cooperation from other governmenal agencies to protect forests.

He is also sceptical about the resettlement project and people’s willingness to move.

A ranger attacked by loggers on April 6

A forest ruined

Big trees cut

Trees burned

Forests cleared for land