Education for Nature Vietnam
News Brief (E188, 21st - 27th Oct, 2006)
Wildlife Protection Authorities on the Move, Bust Trader
Hanoi – On October 25, an inter-ministerial team inspected a restaurant on Nguyen Trai road, Thanh Xuan district and discovered 16 brush-tailed porcupines, one civet, three wild cats and a stuffed tiger. The animals were confisticated and handed over to Soc Son Rescue Center.
(People police issue 243 dated October 25, 2006; Hanoi Forest Protection Department)
Thanh Hoa province – On the night of October 24, Thanh Hoa provincial police seized a small truck carrying a frozen tiger, after receiving a tip-off from local residents in Trieu Son district. The 156 kg tiger, which was 2.17 m in length, had been cut into two pieces. Police arrested the driver and delivered the tiger to the Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department (FPD).
(The Pioneer issue 243 dated October 25, 2006; Thanh Hoa FPD)
Quang Nam province – On October 23, in Tam Anh commune (Nui Thanh district), traffic police seized a truck with illegal wildlife, driving from Binh Dinh province on its way to northern Vietnam. The wildlife weighed a total of 342.8 kg and included 204 kg of grass snakes, 29 kg of clouded-monitor lizards, and more than 100 turtles representing seven native species. The estimated value of the shipment, according to FPD was nearly VND 47 million.
The next day, rangers released the snakes and lizards to Phu Ninh forest in Quang Nam province. The Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center has agreed to receive and quanrantive the turtles.
(Labor issue 293 dated October 24, 2006; Quang Nam FPD)
Kon Tum province – On October 15, the Kon Tum FPD mobile team made a surprise inspection of Mot Tram restaurant and uncovered 50 kg of wildlife, including bamboo rats, monitor lizards, and 45 kg of wild pig meat. The wildlife meat was incinerated and the owner of the restaurant was fined more than VND eight million for illegally possession of wildlife.
(The Pioneer issue 237 dated October 19, 2006; Kon Tum FPD)
Hai Phong polluted by ship stripping industry
Hai Phong – According to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Nature and Environment Society, scrapping old ships could bring big profits but severely damages the environment.
Dismantling a ship releases toxic wastes such as asbestos, mercury, arsenic, oil, and heavy metals. These dangerous substances account for 15% to 25% of a vessel’s total weight. They could severely damage the surrounding environment and cause diseases - including brain diseases and cancer, according to an articles released by the National Environmental Agency.
The port of Hai Phong is where the shipping industry grows fastest in Vietnam. Operators are capable of stripping 100,000 to 120,000 tons of steel a year. Many businesses have buried waste underground near the Cam River. According to a recent survey conducted by the Hai Phong Nature and Environment Department, businesses have run out of space to bury waste and have begun dumping on the banks of the already polluted river. However, no official study has investigated the effects of these activities on the environment and public health. No plan to address the pollution has been announced.
(Website www.nea.gov.vn dated October 19 and 24, 2006)
New publication
Important Bird Areas and Potential Ramsar Sites in Asia
Hanoi – On October 19, Birdlife International launched its new English publication of Important Bird Areas and Potential Ramsar Sites in Asia. The book highlights 1,111 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as candidates to become Ramsar sites in Asia.
The IBAs were identified through internationally recognized criteria. Included were areas important for: globally threatened species, assembly of restricted-range species, assembly of biome-restricted species, and congregating species (principally waterbirds and seabirds).
Vietnam joined the Ramsar Convention in 1989 but only Xuan Thuy wetland is currently a designated Ramsar site. In this book, Birdlife International identifies 26 more potential sites in Vietnam.For more information about the book, please contact:
Birdlife International
No. 4, Lane 209, Đoi Can str.
Tel: 
(84 4) 722 3864
or
Website: www.birdlifeindochina.org
Links to environmental articles (Vietnamese)
Booming trade in illegal forest products at borders
http://www.nhandan.com.vn/tinbai/?top=40&sub=67&article=76584
Arsenic polluted ground water in Hanoi: “No need to worry”
http://www.tuoitre.com.vn/Tianyon/Index.aspx?ArticleID=168255&ChannelID=3
Deputy minister Pham Khoi Nguyen speaks at the National Forum on Environmental Health
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&idmid=&ItemID=18141
Preventing environmental pollution: Start with management
http://ciren.vn/index.php?nre_site=News&nth_in=viewst&sid=4718
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