Education for Nature Vietnam
News Brief (E182, 9th - 15th Sep, 2006)
Two captive tigers dead
Dong Nai province – On a recent patrol, rangers of Long Thanh district Forest Protection Department (FPD) discovered a farm illegally keeping three tigers in Phuoc Tan commune. However, two of those tigers have died due to kidney and stomach problems. The owner claimed that her friends had given them to her after a business trip to Laos. The surviving tiger will be allowed to stay at the farm temporarily. Rangers asked the owner to freeze the two carcasses as evidence for the investigation.
(The Pioneer issue 195 dated September 7th, 2006; Dong Nai provincal FPD)
Timber-smuggling assailant brought to court
Quang Nam province – On September 5th, a woman who attacked two Phu Ninh FPD rangers was arrested. She had been hiding in Tam Giang commune. Caught red-handed shipping illegal timber on September 2nd, she managed to escape using a knife against the rangers. The day after the arrest, Phu Thanh district police decided to bring the case to court.
(Liberated Sai Gon issue 10492 dated September 7th, 2006)
Identifying arsenic pollution in Vietnam
In the beginning of September, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) approved a project drafted, “Minimizing the Effects of Arsenic-Polluted Water in Vietnam.” The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Construction will join MoNRE in carrying out the project. It would be implemented in two years, ending in 2008, with a budget of about VND 17.7 billion.
The project will aim to measure arsenic levels in running water throughout the country and identify areas where arsenic pollution is above target. During the course of the project, data will be released on MoNRE’s website. It will also measure the effects of arsenic on public health and will propose solutions to minimize the damage.
According to UNICEF data, arsenic-polluted water in Vietnam is at a high level, especially in the Red River Delta area. An estimated ten million people are at risk of developing arsenic-related diseases.
(Website www.tuoitre.com.vn dated September 8th, 2006; Web www.dddn.com.vn dated September 12th, 2006)
Smuggled timber seized
Thua Thien-Hue province – Between the night of September 9th and the 11th, Thua Thien-Hue police discovered around 20 people in four groups smuggling timber between Phong Dien Nature Reserve and the districts of Khe Trang and Phong Dien. Police received a tip-off about the smugglers from local residents. Around 35m3 of valuable timber was confiscated. Police brought the timber to Hue city and arrested four men for further questioning.
(Liberated Sai Gon issue 10498 dated September 13th, 2006; People’s Police issue 480 dated September 12th, 2006)
Updates from ENV’s Wildlife Crime Hotline 1800 1522
Reducing the trade of marine turtles in Hanoi
Hanoi – In April 2006,a souvenir shop located adjacent to Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi was reported to be offering stuffed marine turtles for sale. Following an initial inspection of the site, ENV worked with the Ministry of Fisheries’ Marine Resource Exploitation to secure the owner’s compliance with existing wildlife laws prohibiting the display, sale, or possession of marine turtles without a permit. An inspection by a Monitoring team in August indicated that the owner had removed the marine turtles from the shop. Further inspections will ensure continued compliance with the law.
(Education for Nature - Vietnam)
Elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongate), protected under Decree 32, is rarely seen today due to illegal capture.
Source: www.vncreatures.net
Links to environmental articles (Vietnamese)
Vinh Phuc – Co-operative doing business in environmental services – an experience that needs to be popularized
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&idmid=&ItemID=17058
Da Nang: More than 800 households living in pollution http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/Xahoi/2006/9/7/161521.tno
Checking exhaust fumes: Necessary but not yet effective!
http://www.thiennhienmoitruong.com/apm/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1734
Yen Bai provincial general hospital: Not polluting thanks to “a gift” http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&idmid=&ItemID=17083
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 Thi Phuong Ngan
Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV)
No.2/C5 tap the Dai hoc Ngoai Thuong, pho Chua Lang, Ha Noi.
Tel/Fax: 04-775 3685
Email: env@fpt.vn or communication.env@fpt.vn