Secretly destroying forests
Following the high mountain slope in Mo 3 hamlet, Tan Long commune (Dong Hy district, Thai Nguyen), the protective forest that used to be dense with forests and covered with green hillsides now only remains an empty space with eroded rocks and soil. Signs of prolonged sawing activities are clearly seen through the trees being sawed close to the ground, with the trunks cut into scattered pieces.
Having lived at the foot of this mountain range for many years, Mr. Van The (name changed) could not hide his grief. Mr. The said that the sabotage was not massive but the noise lasted for many years, and it took place secretly, so it was very difficult to detect.
According to Mr. The, forest bandits often operate alone, using a borer to cut down each tree and quickly transport it out. There are times when there is only a few months of Tranency, but in the first months of 2025, the sabotage activities will take place more vigorously.
"After harvesting, they plant acacia trees right there. Now, when you go into the forest, you can see newly nurtured glue, the old forest roots are lying around. Every year, they destroy a little, I feel sorry for them. If there are no measures to prevent and handle it, if they do not do so, they will lose all the forest," Mr. The added.
Mr. The takes the Lao Dong newspaper to the area to be cut down. The place used to be the cool protective forest flap now appeared with plowed soil layer, new cutting marks, large diameter trees were cut down and the body was taken away. Some trunks left under the root, lying on the beside the acacia.
According to Mr. The, at first, the miners only chose large, valuable trees. But gradually, the affected area expanded. "Now, wherever the forest is cut down, people plant acacia trees. So the forest is gradually being replaced by acacia trees".
Not only is the forest lost, but replacing it with acacia trees also has a significant impact on the environment and ecosystem of the area. Having a house near the destroyed forest area, Mr. Van Khoa (name changed) said that the small streams around this area have water flowing all year round, but now there are not as many as before.
Previously, there was a lot of water in the stream, enough to serve people's daily life and farming. However, in recent years, the amount of water in the upstream has gradually decreased. Rice and tea trees lack irrigation water, many households have to find water sources for farming, it is very difficult. If the forest is still destroyed like this, what will be used for production and farming in the future?", Mr. Khoa expressed his concern.
Worry about forest loss, potential risk of landslides
In addition to the problem of water resources, people here are also concerned about the risk of landslides during the rainy season due to the loss of soil-carrying plant layers. In particular, in the affected area located on a high hill, replacing natural forests with glue not only reduces the ability to retain water but also makes the soil easily washed away.
Also according to the reflection of some local people in Mo 3 hamlet, Tan Long commune, although the area of deforestation is in the protective forest, the situation of encroachment and arbitrary conversion of the purpose of use from forest land to acacia-growing land has occurred for a long time without a plan to completely prevent it.
Talking to reporters of Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Le Cam Long - Head of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Forest Protection Department admitted that there is a situation where protective forests in Mo 3 hamlet, Tan Long commune (Dong Hy) are being illegally encroached upon and cut down.
The leader of the Forest Protection Department of Thai Nguyen province also said that the area was cut down in Lot 1, Trm 7, sub -area 177. The forest area was affected by more than 1,400m². As soon as the information of the people reflected, the functional forces conducted verification and inspection. At the time of checking, more than 20 large wooden trees have been cut down, many glue beds have grown instead.
"The provincial forest rangers have issued a document directing the Head of the Dong Hy District Forest Protection Department to preside over and coordinate with the People's Committee of Tan Long Commune, relevant organizations and individuals to inspect and verify the incident for handling according to regulations," Mr. Long added.
While waiting for the conclusion from the authorities, people still have to deal with the risk of water shortage, affected production, and disrupted lives. With steep terrain, protective forests play an important role in protecting land and regulating water. When this ecosystem is replaced by short-term crops such as glue, the risk of environmental imbalance is inevitable.
