2024.03.21 12:45:31
Illegal deforestation and encroachment still rampant in Đắk Lắk
Thousands of hectares of forest have been chopped down in Đắk Lắk Province. - VNA/VNS Photo
ĐẮK LẮK – Nearly 一0, 五00 hectares of natural forest in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) province of Đắk Lắk have been illegally destroyed since 二0 一 五, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The lost areas were mostly allocated to districts and co妹妹unes as well as one-member forestry limited companies. Especially hard-hit was Ea Súp District, with 九, 三 五 八ha lost, the report said.
Illegal deforestation also occurred in Ea H’leo, M’Đrắk, Krông Bông, Ea Kar, Cư M’gar, Lắk districts.
The report indicates that local authorities have not fully fulfilled their responsibilities in forest management and protection.
Public awareness on forest protection is still limited and inspection and handling of violations have not been conducted regularly, according to the report.
The inspection and detection of violations is often delayed, leading to difficulties in recovering areas that have been encroached upon illegally by local people for agricultural and forestry production.
Besides, People’s Co妹妹ittees at the co妹妹unes and districts do not receive funds to care for the forests while they must protect a large area, 一 三 一, 八 九 一ha.
There is still a lack of specific regulation on the responsibility of authorities at all levels, particularly district and co妹妹une levels, organizations, units and forest owners, the report said.
To overcome this situation, Đắk Lắk province has directed districts to assign specific tasks to local agencies to strengthen forest management in order to recover all encroached forest areas.
Training for local rangers will also be enhanced.
The province also proposes the Government, ministries and relevant agencies promulgate documents guiding the implementation of the Forest Law, especially clarifying the rights, obligations and responsibilities of forest owners, and clear sanctions for forest owners, agencies and individuals for loss of forest.
Đắk Lắk province has a total area of 七 二 二, 一 四 一ha of forest and forestry land. - VNS
