Environment

Wildlife crime becomes more serious in Vietnam

As wildlife-related crimes are able to generate profits almost equal to those from the trafficking of drugs, firearms, and human beings, they are quickly becoming increasingly more of a threat to Vietnam, according to an official from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Vietnam.
Wildlife crime becomes more serious in Vietnam ảnh 1Illustrative photo (Source: ENV)

Hanoi (VNA) – As wildlife-related crimes are able to generate profits almost equalto those from the trafficking of drugs, firearms, and human beings, they arequickly becoming increasingly more of a threat to Vietnam, according to anofficial from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Vietnam.

Vietnam has beenviewed as an important link in the chain of transnational illegal wildlifetrade, said WCS Country Programme Director Hoang Bich Thuy.

According to a reporton wildlife violations and law enforcement in Vietnam from 2013-2017 conductedby the WCS and the Department of Criminal Justice Statistics and InformationTechnology at the Supreme People’s Procuracy, Vietnam recorded more than 1,500wildlife crimes, seizing over 41,300kg of wildlife specimens and products, fromJanuary 2013 to December 2017.

Some 1,460 peoplehave reportedly violated regulations on wildlife protection, 432 of who werebrought to trial with criminal charges. The country has collected 16 billionVND (692,340 USD) in fines from these violations, according to the report.

Most recently,nearly 10 tonnes of smuggled ivoryand pangolin scales originating from Nigeria were discovered in a plastic wastecontainer at Tien Sa Port in the central city of Da Nang in October. It was oneof the country’s largest wildlife trafficking cases for some time.

Earlier this month, about 800kg of pangolin scales werefounded in three containers imported from Africa at Hai Phong Port in thenorthern city of Hai Phong. The case is under further investigation.

Although the Governmenthas taken various measures to combat wildlife trafficking, the crime remainswidespread in Vietnam as many people still believe consuming wildlife products,such as rhino horns or pangolin scales, is good for their health.

An official fromthe Department of Forest Protection said that we must develop a comprehensiveaction plan to strengthen law enforcement against illegal wildlife tradingbased on organised statistics and analysis on the crime.

It is also vitalto have a governmental body in charge of collecting data on wildlifetrafficking to provide support for related authorities, he added.

The WCS has worked in Vietnam since 2006 with a focus oncombating illegal wildlife trafficking. The organisation works to degrade,disrupt, and dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and reduce poachingpressure on wildlife populations. –VNA 
VNA
#Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)#WCS Country Programme Director Hoang Bich Thuy#illegal wildlife trade#wildlife-related crimes#Vietnam#Vietnam news#Vietnam News Agency
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Online wildlife trade needs to be better monitored

Online wildlife trade needs to be better monitored

Vietnam’s illegal online trade of wildlife is occurring on websites that end with “.vn” and “.com” domain names, including social media websites, according to a study released recently by TRAFFIC.
Vietnam continues urgent action for wildlife crime prevention

Vietnam continues urgent action for wildlife crime prevention

Vietnam has made great strides in the fight against wildlife crime, said Bui Thi Ha, Deputy Director of Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), a non-governmental organisation on the reservation of nature and the protection of the environment.

See more

Kon Plong district in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum (Photo: VNA)

3.7 magnitude earthquake hits Kon Tum

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit Kon Plong district in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on October 23 evening, according to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Geophysics.

Nha Trang Bay covers nearly 250 km2 and is one of the 16 marine protected areas in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Nha Trang bay marine ecosystem records positive recovery

The marine ecosystem of the Nha Trang bay in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa has gradually shown positive recovery after more than 1.5 years implementing concerted solutions under a masterplan to preserve and restore coral reefs there.

At the ENV's press conference on October 22. (Photo: VNA)

ENV helps Vietnam do away with bear farming

The Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV), Vietnam’s first non-governmental organisation focused on wildlife conservation, organised a press conference on October 22 to review its efforts over the past two decades to end bear farming for bile in the country.

Plastic bottles arranged to create a beautiful ceiling lighting system. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam promoting circular economy through waste, packaging recycling

Sorting, collecting, and recycling packaging is one of the solutions that not only helps regenerate products but also effectively reduces environmental pollution, heard a conference on circular economy held within the framework of the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition (GEFE) 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City on October 22.

Reviving 'Green Belt' in south-central region

Reviving 'Green Belt' in south-central region

Mangrove forests are a unique and rare ecosystem that form in coastal areas and river estuaries that are influenced by tidal effects. Occupying just over 1% of Vietnam’s total forest area (14.4 million ha), yet they play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of climate change.

UNDP recommends Can Tho establish river waste collection system

UNDP recommends Can Tho establish river waste collection system

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho generates approximately 650 tons of waste daily. While the garbage collection rate is relatively high at 85%, the city continues to struggle with waste management that ends up in waterways, floating markets, rivers, and lakes.

Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, speak at the debate. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam raises suggestions at UNGA’s environmental, climate debate

Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, on October 16 recommended several issues that the organisation and its member states should prioritise and promote in the coming time, at a meeting hosted by the Economic and Financial Committee of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)’s 77th Session.

Representatives from ministries, agencies and organisations at the launch of the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam Award 2024. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

ASEAN Eco-schools Award launched in Vietnam

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in coordination with the Office of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) in Vietnam and relevant units, held a ceremony on October 14 to launch the ASEAN Eco-Schools Vietnam Award 2024.

The National Forestry Planning for the 2021 – 2030 period, with a vision to 2050 sets a target of forest coverage rate of 42-43%. (Photo: VNA)

National Forestry Planning announced

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has set a target of reaching a stable national forest cover rate of 42-43%, focusing on improving forest quality by 2030.

Delegates at second AZEC Leaders' Meeting (Photo: VNA)

PM urges drastic action for net-zero emission in Asia

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged countries to take more drastic actions, with stronger will and determination, to tackle climate change, aiming for net-zero emissions across Asia as soon as possible.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam observes International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated with the United Nations (UN) representative agencies in Vietnam and the Thua Thien-Hue provincial People's Committee on October 11 held a ceremony in response to the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management in Hue city.

A view of the K50 Waterfall (Hang En Waterfall) in the Kon Ka Kinh National Park in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai. (Photo: VNA)

Network to connect ASEAN Heritage Parks in Vietnam

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) is developing a network to connect ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) in Vietnam, as part of activities in implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, with a vision for 2050.

At the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s forestry sector leads in achieving net negative emissions

Forestry is now the only sector capable of achieving net negative emissions, thanks to the Government's forestry development policies, including the closure of natural forests, forest protection and development, coupled with international sponsorship, said Director of the Forestry Department Tran Quang Bao.

An entrepreneur pitches his ideas to the panel of experts at the workshop. (Photo: VNA)

Forest programme boosts local businesses

Vietnam has increased forest coverage from 23% in 1994 to more than 45% today, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to forestation, according to Alexis Corblin, Regional Technical Advisor of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

PM Pham Minh Chinh chairs the meeting (Photo: VNA)

PM urges drastic action for green transition

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 2 called for stronger determination and more drastic action to combat climate change, stressing that green transformation, energy transition, and greenhouse gas emission reduction are inevitable and irreversible trends.