News Brief (E262, 29 April, 2008)

Top News

Dong Thap: Tram Chim National Park ravaged by fire
On April 22, fire swept through Area A1 of Tram Chim National Park, damaging approximately 330 ha of forest including 165 ha of mangrove forest. This is the biggest fire to date. (Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_262/Dong_Thap_Vuon_Quoc_gia_Tram_Chim_trong_bien_lua.pdf

Five illegal wildlife traders caught in Thua Thien Hue
On April 23, Thua Thien Hue Border Police discovered five wildlife traders illegally transporting approximately 100kg of wildlife, including 27 porcupines and one turtle. The shipment originated in Laos and is thought to have been destined for consumption in Hue. (Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_262/Thua_Thien_Hue_bat_giu_5doi_tuong_van_chuyen_dong_vat_
hoang_da_quy_hiem.pdf

Dak Nong: Increasing in illegal timber trading
More than 40 cases of illegal logging have been discovered in Dak Nong since early 2008. Thuan Ha commune is a hot spot for illegal logging, with weak conservation management and extensive clearing thought to be to blame for the widespread destruction.  (Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_262/Dak_Nong_nan_buon_lau_go_gia_tang.pdf
 
Thanh Hoa: Need for effective solutions to end illegal logging in Ben En National Park
Despite strong efforts by park authorities, there are still large numbers of illegal logging cases being recorded in Ben En National Park. Since the Tet holiday, approximately 100 rare trees (Erythrophloeum fordii) have been logged in area. (Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_262/Thanh_Hoa_Can_som_co_bien_phap_ngan_chan_dut_diem_
tinh_trang_chat_pha_lim_xanh_trong_vuon_quoc_gia_Ben_En.html

Hunting season in Tay Nguyen
Tay Nguyen forest is the source of the bulk of wildlife products which end up on the Vietnamese domestic market. In the past, hunting occurred at a sustainable rate in Tay Nguyen. However, in recent times, as consumer demand for wildlife products has increased, hunting has begun to threaten many wildlife species in the forest, and particularly during “hunting season” starting in March.  (Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_262/Tay_Nguyen_vao_mua_sat_thu.pdf

Safe home for Javan rhinoceros?
Cat Tien National Park has long been famous for its biodiversity; indeed, it is home to one of the most endangered species in the world, the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus). There have been recent proposals to develop a road through the park with a view to helping local residents improve their standards of living and reducing poverty. However, the road will impact on the biodiversity of the park and directly reduce the habitat of the Javan rhinoceros.  (Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_262/Ngoi_nha_cua_te_giac_Java_lieu_co_an_toan.pdf

Internal conflicts within MARD over illegal bear case in Quang Ninh
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has proposed a solution to the case involving 80 bears in Quang Ninh, stating that the farm owners should only be fined and still allowed to keep their captive bears. This case has generated considerable controversy amongst the public. The writer of this article highlights the inconsistency of this decision compared to previous decisions related to bear and wildlife conservation, suggesting that this decision may create a dangerous precedent for bear conservation in the future. The case of the 80 bears was initially discovered in September 2007. (Vietnamese versions)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_262/Xu_ly_gau_khong_gan_chip_o_Quang_Ninh_Vi_sao_BNNPTNT_
tu_mau_thuan_voi_chinh_minh.html

Le Minh Thao                                                  
Communications Officer
Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV)
N5. IF1, lane 192 Thai Thinh Str, Dong Da Dist, Hanoi
Tel/Fax: (84 4) 514 8850
Email: communication.env@fpt.vn