Investigation Launched into Nearly 1,200 sqm of Forest Destroyed in Con Dao

Authorities in Vietnam's Con Dao Special Zone are taking a firm stance against illegal forest destruction, with the People's Committee of Con Dao agreeing to strictly handle violations involving encroachment and the felling of trees in natural forests. The decision comes amid an ongoing investigation into a case where nearly 1,200 square meters of protective forest were allegedly destroyed.

The primary suspect in the current case is a 52-year-old resident, identified only as Mr. T.N., who resides in residential area number 7. He is accused of cutting, burning, and destroying natural forest land. Forest rangers from the Con Dao Special-Use Forest National Park's mobile forest ranger station, in coordination with relevant agencies, documented the damage on May 29. They reported that Mr. T.N. had cut and burned approximately 1,180 square meters of protective forest in sub-zone 6.

Adding to the complexity, on June 2, Mr. T.N. submitted documents requesting the issuance of a land use rights certificate for a total area of 3,770 square meters, which included the forest land he allegedly destroyed. Verification revealed that within the 1,180 square meters, 1,017 square meters were natural forest, and 73 square meters were land without forest. The entire 3,770 square meters is designated as forest land managed by the state and has not yet been granted a land use rights certificate to Mr. T.N.

Furthermore, Mr. T.N. has a history of violating forest protection laws. In 2018, local authorities penalized him for encroaching on protective forest land, covering an area of over 1,900 square meters. Despite this previous penalty, this land was included in his current request for a land use certificate. The Con Dao forest ranger station has concluded that Mr. T.N. engaged in illegal destruction and encroachment of protective forest. The situation is compounded by his alleged continued expansion of encroachment and illegal construction on the occupied land, even before rectifying previous damages.

Given the serious nature of the violations, which have reportedly occurred over several years and involve multiple areas of state management, the forest ranger station has transferred the case file to the investigative agency. They are requesting criminal prosecution for Mr. T.N.'s actions.