Central Highlands forestry institute loses 2,000 hectares of forest land

Inspectors from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Dak Nong Province have blamed the loss on “irresponsible and loose management.”

In 2003, the branch of Vietnam Academy of Forest Sciences for the south-central and Central Highlands regions was assigned to manage 3,280 hectares (8,100 acres) of forest land in the province for a silviculture project.

However, after receiving the land, the academy has lost more than 2,000 hectares of forest land to mismanagement, which included not having a plan to manage and protecting the forest, and having no action plan for forest fire prevention and response.

The silviculture project has also suffered as a result, not achieving the expected efficiency.

The inspectors have stressed that the responsibility for losing the forest land lies with the Vietnam Academy of Forest Sciences unit as well as local authorities where the forest is located.

Details of how such a lot of land was lost have not been revealed.

Now the department has proposed the province withdraws more than 2,100 hectares of forestry land that the academy is managing.

The academy has also been asked to take to task all individuals and organizations responsible for the forest loss.

Headquartered in Da Lat Town in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the academy is assigned to conduct scientific research, implement technology transfers, establish and strengthen international cooperation, and provide forestry consultancy and training services.