News Brief (E264, 16 May, 2008)

Top News

Quang Tri: One ton of wildlife confiscated
On 12th May, Quang Tri Economic Police confiscated approximately one ton of wildlife, comprised mostly of monitor lizards (Varanus sp.).
(Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_264/Phat_hien_tren_1tan_ky_da_van_chuyen_trai_phep.html

Quang Nam: Over 100 m3 illegal timber confiscated
On 8th May, Quang Nam Forest Protection Department confiscated 30 rafts found illegally carrying more than 100m3 timbers in Dai Loc district. Since early 2008, Quang Nam FPD has uncovered 139 illegal timber trade cases in the area.
(Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_264/Mot_ngay_thu_giu_tren_100m3_go_lau.pdf

Endangered species disappearing in Ea So Reserve
Ea So Reserve is known as an area of high biodiversity and is home to some of the largest populations of Gaur (Bos gaurus) and Banteng (Bos banteng) in South East Asia. However due to weak conservation management and a steady increase in illegal hunting and logging, populations of these endangered species are shrinking. (Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_264/Dong_vat_quy_hiem_dang_bien_mat_dan.pdf

White dolphin saved in Thanh Hoa
On May 8, Thanh Hoa Fishery Department worked together with local fisherman in Dai Loc commune, Hau Loc district, to release a white dolphin which had become stuck in a muddy area. It is believed that, the dolphin, which is listed in Vietnam’s Red Book as an endangered species, lost its way and became stuck on May 7.
(Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_264/Thanh_Hoa_Cuu_ca_heo_trang_mac_ket_tha_lai_bien.pdf

Quang Tri: Over a billion VND wasted on construction of faulty waterworks
In July 2007, the Vietnamese Government invested 1.6 billion VND in the construction of a waterworks to supply clean water to the more than 800 residents in Tuong Van commune, Trieu Phong district, Quang Tri province. However, although the waterworks has now come into operation, local residents still only have access to seriously polluted water.
(Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_264/Quang_tri_tien_xay_nha_may_nuoc_ban.pdf

Ho Chi Minh city: Rubbish collection areas spreading infectious diseases
More than 400 rubbish collection areas in residential Ho Chi Minh city are thought to be contributing to the spread of infectious diseases. In efforts to help address this problem, Ho Chi Minh DONRE has invested five billion VND in a pilot rubbish classification campaign.
(Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_264/TPHo_Chi_Minh_tren_400diem_thu_gom_rac_ho_dang_gay_o_
nhiem_moi_truong_va_tiem_an_nguy_co_lay_lan_dich_benh.html

Ongoing controversy over illegal bears in Quang Ninh
The article presents an interview between a Labour Newspaper journalist and Mr. Nguyen Dinh Xuan, a member of the national assembly (Tay Ninh), on the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MARD) recent decision to allow  farm owners to continue to keep in captivity 80 illegal bears in Quang Ninh.
(Vietnamese version)
http://www.envietnam.org/E_News/E_264/Phai_tich_thu_toan_bo_so_gau_nuoi_nhot_trai_phep_o_
Quang_Ninh.pdf

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