On May 21, the Phu My Forest Protection Department said it was finalising legal procedures related to the illegal exploitation of trees in the coastal protection forest area. Officials affirmed that all violations would be handled strictly in accordance with the law.
Many casuarina trees, decades old, in the coastal protective forest of Phu My Dong Commune, Gia Lai Province, were cut down (Photo: Cong Son).
Earlier, during a patrol in Tan Phung 1 village, the Phu My Protection Forest Management Board discovered that hundreds of decades-old casuarina trees had been cut down across nearly one hectare of forest land.
According to Nguyen Van To, Director of the Phu My Protection Forest Management Board, authorities identified a 44-year-old local man as the organiser of the illegal logging operation.
Authorities cordoned off the affected forest area to assess the damage (Photo: Cong Son).
Investigators also identified three other men allegedly involved in the purchase and sale of the illegally harvested timber.
The Phu My Forest Protection Department is coordinating with relevant agencies to continue investigating and handling the case.
