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More Sua trees cut down in Hanoi
  • | dtinews.vn | May 17, 2011 01:30 PM

At least seven endangered Sua trees have been cut down for lumber in Hanoi streets this month.

Despite authorities’ efforts the destruction continues

On May 15-16, residents noticed that three Sua trees had been chopped down, one in Le Duan Street, one in Ton That Tung Street and the other in Nguyen Van Huyen Street.

Forestry Engineer Dang Hung Phi, from Hanoi Green Trees Park Company, said that the exact time the trees were cut down remains unknown. The company has grown new trees on these streets and will help local authorities in their investigation.

Three other Sua trees were also found to be missing from outside Hanoi Architecture University on May 14. The trees are between 12 and 15 years old, according to a guard at the school.

After taking trunks away, the thieves left the branches and leaves at the site. They even propped up a large branch so that passers by might not notice that the trees were gone.

Earlier, on May 5, a Sua tree was cut down in Nghia Tan Ward, Cau Giay District.

There is a rumour that the value of these trees is equal to billions of VND (tens of thousands of US dollars). Although it is untrue, it seems to have convinced some people to go out into the night with axes and saws, damaging the city’s aesthetic beauty.

The Sua tree has been listed as an endangered flora species in Vietnam and has been placed the international red list.

The city has taken tough actions to fight against the destruction of these trees, however, the unfortunate activity has resumed after a brief respite.

In September, 2009, Hanoi police arrested 20 people suspected of chopping down sua trees in the city.

Three missing trees in front of Hanoi Architecture University

More Sua trees cut down in Hanoi, damaging the city’s aesthetic beauty

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