Nearly 150 pine trees were found cut down in the forest, their trunks still oozing resin.

Pine forest in Lam Dong was cut down. Photo: XN

On July 14, Lam Ha District Forest Protection Department (Lam Dong) coordinated with relevant units to complete the examination and counting to investigate the felling of a series of pine trees in lots 14 and 16, Khoanh 4, Sub-area 264 in village 9, Me Linh commune), the forest area managed by Lam Ha Protective Forest Management Board.

The pine forest area that was cut down was about 1,400 square meters, on a high hill, surrounded by many coffee gardens of local people. Pine trees that were decades old were cut down, sawed close to the root, lying scattered and stacked. The leaves were still fresh, the tree trunks were oozing sap. The incident of the pine forest being cut down was discovered by local people and officers of the Lam Ha Forest Protection Management Board while on patrol on the morning of July 13.

Pine tree sawed off close to the base. Photo: XN

Through counting, the authorities initially recorded about 143 pine trees, with an average trunk length of 13-20cm and a trunk diameter of 13-45cm. The pine forest was planted in 1997 and was assigned to the people for management and protection. A forest management officer said that the group may have destroyed the forest with the purpose of encroaching on the land.

The pine tree that was cut down was dozens of years old. Photo: XN

Authorities are investigating and searching for the perpetrator.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/phat-hien-gan-150-cay-thong-bi-don-ha-trong-rung-than-con-ua-nhua-2165512.html