Dozens of khaya trees with an invaluable historical and cultural value to Ha Tinh Province are at risk of being cut down to make way for road construction. The trees in question are located on the side of National Highway 8A in the area of Duc Tho District.
 |
A VND 1.2 trillion (USD 61 million) project, invested in by a road management board from the Ministry of Transport, has been adopted to expand and upgrade the highway. The project is expected to be completed in 2013 and aims at making road into an important route that strengthens the economic ties between Central Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
However, locals are concerned that in order for this project to take place, dozens of khaya trees, which had been planted under the tree-planting campaign of former president Ho Chi Minh from 1960, will be knocked down.
Nguyen Van Ngu, an 83 year old local, who has witnessed the growth of these trees from the first day that they were planted until now, said, “These trees are over 50 years old. They hold a certain historical value to us. They mark the months and years of war that we were in. Many generations living here consider this line of trees a symbol to compare the country to how far we have come. Besides, the trees have been a large part of our everyday existence here. I am very certain that this line of trees is one of the most beautiful in the province, a reason why many tourists have stopped here to take a pictures.”
With a sorrowful look in his eyes, Ngu added, “It is such a shame that we will lose these gems forever due to the upcoming road expansion. Once they are lost, the spirit, the historical and cultural value they had held for us will also be lost and remain only in our memories. I only hope this can somehow be prevented before it’s too late.”
According to Tran Huu Be, Vice Chairman of Duc Tho District People’s Committee, statistics show that there are a total of 54 khaya trees in the area of Duc Long and Bui Xa communes. The economic value of these trees is certainly not signifcant, but as old as they are, they hold a far more important value for the locals and are what makes it special about the area, he said. They are a symbol of the country and of Ho Chi Minh.
The People’s Committee in the district has recently raised these concerns with the road management board in hopes that a solution can be found. “In the past, 7 khaya trees had been chopped down for road expansion. Now, if the rest of these trees are going to be taken down as well, the landscape of Duc Tho District will never be the same again. I believe there should be an adjustment to the new road expansion project in order to protect these khaya trees,” Be said.
The diameter of the trees is so big that it’s impossible to put a human’s arms around them.
Line of khaya trees providing shade and aesthetic to National Highway 8A.
The tree stumps have long been a part of the local way of life.
Locals enjoy the shade which relieves the blazing sun.
Hearing these trees will be cut down, a man comes to take a few branches home for medicine.