News Brief (E195, 9th - 15th Dec, 2006)
Grey-shanked douc langur rescued
Binh Dinh province - Binh Dinh provincial Forest Protection Department (FPD) successfully transferred a 5-kilogram grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus cinerea) to the Cuc Phuong Endangered Primate Rescue Center. The langur was found by a boy in the forest near An Nghia commune. The boy’s father discovered that the animal was a rare species, and contacted the An Lao Forest Protection Branch. Because the boy was deeply attached to the animal, rangers went to extra lengths to persuade him to give it up voluntarily.
(Website www.sggp.org.vn dated December 9, 2006)
Wildlife Parts Seized in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City - On December 10, District 12 police discovered a large cache of animals in Trung My ward, thanks to a tip-off from local residents. A sizeable quantity of wild animal meat and parts was seized, including a frozen golden cat, eleven python gall-bladders, and two leopard cats. The police issued fines to the traders involved.
(Labor issue 341 dated December 12, 2006; Ho Chi Minh City Police Department)
Environmental law report points to lax enforcement
Ha Noi - “The enforcement of environmental law overall has not been strict and efficient enough,” read one note from a report assessing the past three years following implementation of the Government’s National Environmental Protection Strategy. In a review of southern cities and provinces, 87 out of 90 enterprises violated environmental law, but none of these violators were brought to court. The report stated that a total of 70% of Vietnam’s industrial zones did not have wastewater treatment, and 90% of all commercial services did not have wastewater treatment. Produced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the report was submitted at a conference focused on reviewing implementation of the national strategy, held in Hanoi on December 7.
(Web www.vietnamnet.vn dated December 7, 2006; Web www.monre.gov.vn dated December 7, 2006)
Fines and punishment for violations of laws protecting forest and wildlife
Hanoi - On December 13, the National Forest Protection Department held a stakeholders meeting on revision of Decree 139/2004/ND-CP, which covers punishment for forests and forest product law violations. Attending the workshop were scientists, conservationists and representatives from police, customs, and other functional agencies tasked with enforcement. The participants were divided into two groups: those representing functional authorities and representatives of the conservation and scientific community.
Participants in the conservation group discussed the legal loopholes in the law which allows for confiscated wildlife, including protected species to be resold based upon the decision of provincial authorities, believed by many to be a major flaw in the original law that contributes to the ongoing trade of endangered species. In addition to recommending a prohibition on the resale of protected wildlife following confiscation, delegates suggested stronger fines in order to deter illegal trade. .
New publications
This month, Wildlife At Risk published three excellent new resources in co-operation with Phu Quoc National Park: Birds of Phu Quoc Island (English); Butterflies of Phu Quoc National Park, Kien Giang, Vietnam (English - Vietnamese); and Identifying Bat Species in Vietnam (Vietnamese).
The first two resulted from the eco-tourism development program of Phu Quoc National Park. They were distributed to staff in the park and other conservation organizations in Vietnam. The third was handed out to Forest Protection Departments in the south of Vietnam.
For more information please contact:
Wildlife At Risk
Tel: +84 (8) 8910 6126
E-mail: info@wildlifeatrisk.org
Website: www.wildlifeatrisk.org
Links to environmental articles (Vietnamese)
Together improving the environement of Cuu Long Delta River
http://www.sggp.org.vn/moitruongdothi/2006/12/76437/
If paying USD 7-8 for a ton of treated waste many investor would jump in
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&ItemID=19469
Particular framework for wetland conservation needed
http://www.monre.gov.vn/monreNet/default.aspx?tabid=209&ItemID=19443
STOP WILDLIFE CRIME
If you see wildlife for sale in restaurants or other business establishments,
contact your local Forest Protection Department or the ENV Wildlife Crime 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
|
