Dak Lak (VNA) – Forest coverage in the CentralHighlands province of Dak Lak has shrunk to 505,076ha – down 10,533ha –according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
There are over 461,300ha of natural forests, down 10,198hafrom 2016 – partly due to illegal logging in recent years, mostly in thedistricts of Ea Sup, Buon Don, Krong Bong, Ea Kar, M’D’rak, Ea H’leo, and YokDon national park; as well as Ea So and Chu Yang Sin Natural Reserves.
Ea Sup district has lost the most natural forest area, with 9,300hadestroyed.
The province’s forest coverage has reduced 0.81 percent to38.49 percent, if the area of rubber and fruit trees is counted. Excluding thosetypes of plantation, the forest coverage is only 36.6 percent.
As well as speeding up forest plantation, Dak Lak has askedlocalities to form inter-sectoral inspection groups to deal with violations ofthe Law on Forest Protection and Development; and promptly prevent deforestationand forest transgression, as well as illegal exploitation, transportation, andtrade of forestry products.
Individuals and organisations in charge of forest protectionwill also be held responsible in the case of potential future violations.–VNA