Hundreds of pine trees poisoned in Vietnam’s Central Highlands
Authorities in Lam Dong Province have discovered hundreds of pine trees poisoned in a forest area near Da Lat, a popular tourist attraction of the province, located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
The Lam Ha protective forest management board confirmed on Friday that 257 pine trees in Nam Ban Lam Ha Commune had been drilled and injected with chemicals intended to kill them.
The incident was uncovered on May 5 during a routine forest patrol conducted by rangers and protection officers.
The poisoning affected two locations within the forest.
In the first area, rangers recorded 133 poisoned pine trees covering a total area of over 1,430 square meters.
A short distance away, rangers found another 124 pine trees drilled into and injected with chemicals.
Officials observed that the pine needles on many trees had already turned yellow.
Rangers found a small drilled hole penetrating deep into the trunk of each affected tree, roughly the size of a little finger, with resin leaking from the wounds.
Authorities believed at least two types of chemicals – one blue and one yellow – were used in the poisoning, suspected to be herbicides or toxic substances.
All damaged trees have been numbered and documented as part of the ongoing investigation.
The management board said patrol teams discovered the poisoning after noticing unusually yellowing treetops.
The large quantity of chemicals used made efforts to save the trees largely ineffective.
The trunk of a pine tree is drilled and injected with chemicals. Photo: L.N.
Forest poisoning carried out at night
According to the People’s Committee of Nam Ban Lam Ha Commune, the poisoning of pine trees to encroach on forest land has become an increasingly serious challenge for forest protection efforts.
The destruction typically takes place at night.
Perpetrators allegedly use electric drills to bore holes into tree trunks before injecting herbicides and leaving the area.
Visible signs of poisoning only emerge about a week later, by which time the trees are often beyond rescue.
The commune has ordered forest protection forces to strengthen patrols in key areas.
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage while investigating and searching for those responsible for poisoning the pine forest.
Tieu Bac - M.V. / Tuoi Tre News
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