On July 28, in an exchange with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, the leader of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hue City said that the unit is urging localities and related units to urgently review and report in detail the area of forest assigned to organizations and individuals to borrow for afforestation when there is not enough legal basis throughout the area, after the reflection of Lao Dong Newspaper.
Up to now, some units have sent reports. However, through inspection, the data between units is not consistent, so the Department of Agriculture and Environment has requested a review and reporting to ensure accuracy.
This is a complex case, requiring complete, accurate and comprehensive data to clarify the current situation, determine responsibility as well as have a basis for definitive handling," said the leader of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hue City.
As Lao Dong Newspaper reflected, during the inspection of forest management, protection and fire prevention and fighting in sub-zones 166, 167, 174 under the Nam Song Huong Protection Forest Management Board, the forest ranger force discovered that in plot 3, sub-zone 166, acacia forest exploitation activities were taking place.
The area that has been cut down is about 5.2ha, belonging to a total area of 39.85ha at lot 1, plot 3, sub-area 166. Through inspection, functional forces determined that the exploitation did not have complete legal documents, including a lack of an exploitation plan approved by competent authorities.
Regarding the origin of this forest area, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan - Director of the Nam Song Huong Protection Forest Management Board said that the unit has reviewed the dossiers, investment capital sources and the formation process of the 39.85ha forest area mentioned above.
In 2020, the Director of the Huong Thuy Protection Forest Management Board at that time allowed Mr. Cao Xuan Truyen to plant forests on this area, the capital was invested by Mr. Truyen himself. The initial policy was to plant forests first, then complete contracting procedures. However, due to insufficient legal basis, contracting according to Decree 168 was not implemented.
It is worth mentioning that although knowing that this forest area was not legally sufficient, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan still signed a document agreeing to allow Mr. Truyen to exploit it. Only when about 5.2ha out of a total of 39.85ha had been cut down, the forest rangers inspected, discovered and requested to stop exploitation activities.
After the reflection of Lao Dong Newspaper, Standing Vice Chairman of Hue City People's Committee Hoang Hai Minh assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to review and clarify the responsibilities of collectives and individuals in planting and exploiting forests; propose strict handling of violations according to regulations.
At the same time, the Department of Agriculture and Environment is assigned to strictly manage unexploited forest areas, propose handling plans for exploited areas; develop a plan to inspect and comprehensively review the management and use of forest land assigned to forest management boards and state-owned forestry companies in the area.
Hue City People's Committee requests to thoroughly handle violations (if any) and report the results before July 30, 2026.
