Lam Dong requests inspection of durian garden at landslide site on Bao Loc pass

Landslide scene on Bao Loc pass.

On August 1, the People's Committee of Lam Dong province directed Da Huoai district to inspect the durian garden located behind the Bao Loc Pass Traffic Police Checkpoint - where a landslide recently killed 3 traffic police officers and 1 civilian. In addition, Lam Dong province also directed the district to clarify the cause of the landslide and report to the Provincial People's Committee on related matters.

Landslide point right at the durian garden land

Previously, on July 30, after prolonged rains, many locations on Bao Loc Pass experienced landslides. At the scene, a mass of soil and rocks on a high hill where durian gardens were being planted collapsed onto the Bao Loc Pass Traffic Police Checkpoint. At that time, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Khac Thuong, Major Le Quang Thanh, Captain Le Anh Sang of the Madagui Traffic Police Station and Mr. Pham Ngoc Anh (a local resident who came to assist) were moving assets and belongings at the checkpoint that were buried and missing. At 12 noon on July 31, the body of the last victim was found.

Landslide scene, above is a hill with durian orchard. Photo: XN

At the scene, the landslide area was located entirely on a durian hill, next to a traffic police station, surrounded by forest. The durian garden was planted on a hillside with an area of about 1 hectare, the age of the trees was 3-4 years. Looking from above, a piece of the hill had been torn apart, leaving only red soil. Looking at these images makes the public skeptical about the destruction of durian forests, as well as the cause of the landslide.

The landslide mass is located in the durian growing area.

Meanwhile, a leader of Da M'ri town (Da Huoai district) informed that the durian garden mentioned above is owned by a person in the town. This person has been cultivating on the hill since 1985 until now. This entire land has been planned outside of 3 types of forest since 2008, according to Decision 450 of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee (removed from the planning of special-use, protective and production forests to use land for local economic and social development). In addition, this area was previously planted with coffee, jackfruit, avocado, and recently renovated to grow durian trees.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang directly inspected the landslide area.

The People's Committee of Da Huoai district has assigned the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Office of the District People's Committee to review land allocation records over the periods to specifically determine the land type and user, after which there will be official information.

Previously, on July 31, at a working session with Lam Dong province, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang asked Lam Dong Provincial Police to investigate the cause of the landslide at Bao Loc Pass. The Deputy Prime Minister asked Lam Dong province to invite experts or people with experience in geological surveys in areas at risk of landslides to find a safe solution.