Education for Nature Vietnam
News Brief (E159, 31st March - 7th April, 2006)
Wildlife trade seized
PhuYenProvince – On March 29th, the Tuy Hoa city Police Department discovered a mini-bus illegally transporting 70 crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis). According to an initial investigation, the wildlife was being transported to Vinh city in Nghe An province. The owner and the driver were arrested and on March 30, the macaques were released in Deo Ca protected forest.
According to the Tuy Hoa city Forest Protection Department (FPD), this is the biggest wildlife trade case in the province. The case is also the fourth macaque trading case that has been reported in Viet Nam since the beginning of the year.
(Sai Gon Liberated issue 10333 dated April 1st 2006; People’s Police issue 353 dated April 1st 2006; Tuy Hoa city FPD)
Wild crocodiles in danger
PhuYenProvince – According to experts, wild Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) are in danger of extinction in Vietnam. In Phu Yen Province, t he main habitat of the crocodiles in the Ba Ha River will be made into a reservoir in conjunction with the planned hydro-power dam that will soon be constructed. When the dam is operational, the crocodile’s habitat will be flooded which may affect their breeding areas.
On March 30th, Viet Nam Environmental Protection Agency (VEPA), the Institute of Tropical Biology (ITB) in cooperation with the Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP) held a workshop focusing on raising awareness about the significance of and the need for conservation of the crocodiles and their habitat .
The Siamese crocodile is ranked critically endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
(Website of Vietnamnet dated April 4th 2006; Youth issue 77 dated April 6th 2006; Viet Nam News issue 5251 dayed April 5th 2006
A logging case prosecution
Gia Lai Province – The Mang Yang district police department prosecuted three people involved in a logging case and fined 25 families 100 million VND. The case involved the illegal logging of 9.8 hectares of forest. In addition to fines, the courts ordered the people to re-plant the area.
In comparison with other districts, Mang Yang district has the largest area of forest in Gia Lai province. Although the local authorities have strengthened their efforts to protect the forest, violations are still increasing.
(Law issue 66 dated March 17th 2006 and issue 80 dated April 3rd 2006)
Violations of the Forest Protection and Development Law still on the rise
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), approximately 388 violations of the Forest Protection and Development Law have occurred in the first two months of this year, causing damage to 365 ha of forest. Although there has been a decrease of 45 cases in comparison with last year, logging has still been rampant in many areas. For example, 186ha of forest in Binh Phuoc province have been destroyed. The total area of destroyed forest in Dac Nong and Lam Dong were 165ha. In Cat Tien National Park in Lam Dong province, 51ha of natural forest was logged.
According to MARD, attacks by loggers are becoming more common and serious. There have been three rangers killed and another seven injured since the beginning of the year.
(Economic Times issue 66 dated April 3rd 2006; Labor issue 92 dated April 3rd 2006; Pioneer issue 66 dated April 3rd 2006)
Schedule
Vietnam’s World Environment Day celebration (5th June) in Viet Nam will be held in Quang Tri province. During the celebration, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will award prizes to individuals and organizations that have made significant contribution to national environmental protection.
The World Environment Day theme selected for 2006 is Deserts and Desertification and the slogan is Don't Desert Drylands! The slogan emphasizes the importance of protecting dry lands, which cover more than 40% of the planet’s surface. The main international celebrations of the World Environment Day 2006 will be held in Algeria.
(Sai Gon Liberated issue 10332 dated March 31st 2006, Website www.unep.org )
Links to environmental articles (Vietnamese)
The major industrial zones in the South facing a potential environmental disaster
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&ItemID=12807
Scientists gather to rescue rare wild crocodiles
http://vietnamnet.vn/khoahoc/moitruong/2006/04/556711/
Ca Mau Province – many new bird gardens appear
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&ItemID=12759
FEMSEA support Vietnam to sustainably develop the Eastern Asian Sea.
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&ItemID=12728
Another waste container arrived at Hai Phong port
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&ItemID=12676
STOP THE WILDLIFE TRADE
If you observe wildlife being displayed, sold, transported, or kept illegally in captivity, notify your local Forest Protection Department or contact the ENV Wildlife Trade Hotline
1800-1522
YOU can make a difference!
For more information, please contact:
Nguyen Phuong Dung
Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV)
No.2/C5 tap the Dai hoc Ngoai Thuong, pho Chua Lang, Ha Noi.
Tel/Fax: 04-775 3685
env@fpt.vn or communication.env@fpt.vn