Education for Nature Vietnam
News Brief (E291, 21 November, 2008)
Top News
A Vietnamese Embassy staff suspected trading rhino horn
A South African television station recently broadcast footage which shows a Vietnam Embassy staff member named Vu Moc Anh buying rhino horn. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa to clarify information and has decided to recall Vu Moc Anh to explain the incident.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Can_bo_su_quan_Viet_Nam_bi_nghi_buon_sung_te_giac.html (English version)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=axb5csE6Iuw0&refer=africa
Dac Lac: Restaurant owner caught trading wildlife
The Provincial Environment Police recently caught a local restaurant owner keeping wildlife including 11.7 kg of civets, 6.1 kg of soft shell turtles, 2.5 kg of pangolins and 0.5 kg of Red junglefowls (Gallus gallus).
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Dac_Lac_Bat_qua_tang_mot_nha_hang_kinh_doanh_thu_rung.html
Ba Ria - Vung Tau: Sixty-nine enterprises fined for heavily polluting the environment
An inspection team from the Department of Natural Resouces and Environment has investigated and uncovered 69 enterprises violating the environment protection regulations. In total the offenders were fined over 1.4 billion VND.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Phat_69_doanh_nghiep_o_Ba_Ria_Vung_Tau_gay_o_nhiem.pdf
Subjects reprimanded for illegally trading rare timber
The Ho Chi Minh Police have asked the People’s Procuracy to prosecute nine people, including two custom officers, for illegal transporting 103 containers of rare timber. In another case in Gia Lai, the Provincial Police issued a warning to five policemen for not confiscating 4.5 m3 of illegal timber. In yet another case, in Ha Tinh, four staff who had been negligent in their management of Ke Go forest were sentenced to probation.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Gia_Lai_ky_luat_5_si_quan_chien_si_cong_an_vi_thu_giu_go_lau.html http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Ha_Tinh_4_can_bo_huy_hoai_rung_huong_an_treo.html
Dong Nai: Men posing as rangers attempt robbery
The Dong Nai Police have arrested three men who had disguised themselves as rangers to stop a car transporting timber and demand 35 million VND.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Dong_nai_gia_danh_kiem_lam_di_tran_lot.html
Ha Noi: Secret dumping of garbage and building waste widespread
Secret dumping of rubbish and building waste has become a widely spread problem across Hanoi. Strict resolutions by authorities and the participation of citizens are required to stop this problem.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Can_xu_ly_manh_tay_hon%202.pdf (Part 1)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Can%20_xu_ly_manh_tay_hon%201.pdf (Part 2)
Ha Tinh: Hydroelectric power plant building causing devastation to Huong Son Forest
Despite having commened in 2002 the building of the Huong Son hydroelectric power station in Huong Son Forest is still not finished. This building project is having a significant impact on the forest. Furthermore, there are plans to build two more hydroelectric power plants.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Dai%20_ngan_Huong_Son_keu_cuu%201.pdf (Part 1)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_291/Dai_%20ngan_Huong_Son_keu_cuu2.pdf (Part 2)
ENV’s activities
Public urged to take active role to end illegal bear trade
A new public service announcement (PSA) airing on national TV promotes the protection of Vietnam’s bears by encouraging the public not to use bear bile and to report wildlife crimes to local authorities.
The 30-second advertisement features a businessman and junior staff member in a café. The older businessman orders bear bile wine, but the junior staff member decides to take a stand by refusing the wine. The PSA encourages the public to report wildlife crimes to local authorities or to ENV on the national toll-free Wildlife Crime Hotline 1-800-1522.
ENV has also begun airing a new radio commercial featuring national pop star My Linh, a long-time supporter of ENV’s efforts to protect endangered wildlife. In the advertisement, My Linh urges men to avoid consumption of wildlife.
Both public service announcements can be seen or heard:
New Bear PSA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R8DJTjCqtY
My Linh radio advertisement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCDB_Z_kkIE
Find out more about the wildlife trade in Vietnam: www.savingvietnamswildlife.org
Please note: Past bulletins can be found on ENV's website www.envietnam.org
Nguyen Thi My Dung
Communications Officer
Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV)
N5. IF1, lane 192 Thai Thinh Str, Dong Da Dist, Hanoi
Tel/Fax: (84 4) 514 8850
Email: communication.env@fpt.vn