ENV

News Brief (E177, 4th - 11th August, 2006)

Dodgy permit follows crocodile shipment
Quang Ninh province –Provincial Forest Protection Department (FPD) inspected a truck and discovered 163 crocodiles (total weight: 2,589 kg).  153 were accompanied by a special transport permit issued by the Bac Lieu provincial FPD.  However, the permit omitted key details, such as the shipment’s destination and the buyer’s address and name.  The ten crocodiles not covered under the permit were confiscated and sold by FPD to a crocodile farm in the south.

Preliminary investigations have located the origin of the shipment.  It was traced back to a crocodile farm in Bac Lieu province, which is owned by the Director of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

(People’s Police issue 447 dated 4 August 2006; Quang Ninh provincial FPD)

Sarus crane (Grus antigone) Source: Vietnam News

Sarus cranes on the decline
According to a recent census, the population of sarus crane (Grus antigone) is on the decline in the Cuu Long River Delta.  In Vietnam, the delta is the only place to find the International Red Book listed species.  Vietnamese representative of International Crane Foundation, Dr. Tran Triet, stressed evidence that the birds are in fact decreasing in number, with fewer than 300 counted in Vietnam. 
In Ha Tien town and Kien Luong district of Kien Giang province where the census found most cranes, there were only 166 in 2006, falling from 361 cranes in 2003. The second largest group, in Tram Chim National Park (NP), had only 89 remaining members – just under one-eighth of the number 10 years ago.  Only 42 sarus cranes were spotted elsewhere in the Cuu Long River Delta.

One of the leading causes of the crane’s decline has been a dramatic reduction in available habitat.  In Kien Giang, provincial policy has allowed a large portion of protected forests to be cleared for agriculture and aquaculture development.  Viable habitat in Tram Chim NP is being destroyed as trees are cut down for residential expansion and private interests.  Habitat is also reduced in other ways.  In order to prevent fires, local government officials have kept water levels abnormally high in Tram Chim NP.  This has gradually eliminated the main food of the cranes, ‘nan’ grass (eleocharis).  Environmental degradation in these two areas will surely affect flocks that migrate through Vietnam.
(People’s Police issue 449 dated 7 August 2006)

City children under increasing risk from polluted air
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) –The number of children in HCMC affected by pollution-related diseases has risen dramatically over the past few years, according to a recent report by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DoNRE).
Children’s Hospital No. 1 recently saw an increased rate of pollution-related diseases in children.  For example, middle ear infections increased from 440 to 2,000 cases between 1996 and 2005.  At Children’s Hospital No. 2, respiratory diseases in children are also on the rise, accounting for 40-50% of child inpatients.
The DoNRE report concludes that automobile exhaust, factories and ongoing construction are the major causes of decreased air quality.  More than 2.4 million motorbikes and 240,000 cars release polluting emissions in HCMC.

(Website www.intellasia.com dated 9 August 2006)

Updates from ENV’s Wildlife Crime Hotline 1800 1522

Two yellow-cheeked gibbons (Hylobates gabriellae) kept in captivity in Bien Dong Resort – Son Tra peninsula Source: Dang Duc Minh

Yellow-cheeked gibbons released into Son Tra Nature Reserve
Da Nang City– On August 4, the FPD of Da Nang City released one male and one female yellow-cheeked gibbon (Hylobates gabriellae) to Son Tra Nature Reserve.  The gibbons were seized from the Bien Dong Resort of Son Tra district.

Wildlife traders fined
Binh Phuoc province – According to the Binh Phuoc provincial FPD, five wildlife traders were given equal administrative fines totaling VND 150 million for hiding 873 kg of wild pig (Sus scrofa) meat.

The case was uncovered in December of 2005.  The Binh Phuoc provincial FPD incinerated all the wildlife meat.

Restaurants removed wildlife advertisement signboards
Hanoi – In early 2006, an individual called the hotline regarding a restaurant on Hoa Ma Street that served wildlife.  ENV’s monitoring officer immediately came to the scene to find that the restaurant advertised wildlife on a signboard and listed several wildlife species on the menu.  Moreover, some wild animals and birds were displayed to attract customers.

ENV as well as the Hanoi FPD conducted several probes of the restaurant.  As of the latest check done by ENV, the restaurant had removed the sign and replaced the menu. 

As a result of investigative activities, another restaurant advertising wildlife dishes was noted on Hoa Ma Street and forced to paint over their sign.

Links to environmental articles (Vietnamese)

Khanh Hoa province: Nha Trang Bay environment gets worse http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&idmid=&ItemID=16285

Phu Quoc island attracts many projects on coral and grass protection, tourism
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&idmid=&ItemID=16304

Kon Tum province: A positive way to conserve forests in Kon Ray district
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&idmid=&ItemID=16292

Water polluted with bacteria http://www.tuoitre.com.vn/Tianyon/Index.aspx?ArticleID=153686&ChannelID=3

Photograph of the Week

The sixth meeting of the Green Warrior Club: students outlining the causes of air pollution to include in their awareness project. The club was established by ENV in April 2006.  The participants are a group of secondary school children in Hanoi.  Classes held every month are related to urban environmental issues. Source: ENV

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