Intellasia News Services -- Illegal logging rampant in central Vietnam forest

Illegal logging rampant in central Vietnam forest
Source: 18/Aug/2008 Intellasia | Thanhniennews
18 Aug, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM
An unfinished road in central Quang Tri Province's Dakrong District has opened the way for illegal loggers, since its construction started two-years ago.

Avao-Balin forest was once a pristine area despite the fall out from the war with the US.

In 2006, work began on the 13-kilometer stretch of road to connect the heart of Avao Commune and a local border guard station.

As more than two kilometres of the planned road was meant to go through the forest, some trees had to make way.
But many ancient trees, up to one kilometer away from the road have fallen victim to timber poachers.

Quang Tri rangers recently discovered a large number of logs with diametres of 1.4-2 metres but failed to identify the loggers.
In some areas only tree stumps remained of what was once lush forest.

Many of the remaining trees had also been marked indicating they were next to go.

Local area resident, Con Ria, said that before evening the road is busy with logging trucks.