Vietnamese province probes tree felling in coastal protection forest

The affected area, in Bac Hai Hamlet, Thach Hai Commune, north-central Ha Tinh Province, is part of a forest belt planted to prevent coastal erosion and sand encroachment.

Dozens of mature trees, some with trunks over 25cm in diameter, have been cut in recent days, according to officials.

An on-site inspection on Wednesday showed logs stacked along a forest road and another 500-square-meter plot cleared nearby.

Local residents said they had planted the trees decades ago using their own funds, before the area was designated as state-managed protection forest.

“In previous years, they used to cut and replant trees without interference,” said Hoang Dinh Ngon, head of Bac Hai Hamlet.

“Now, new regulations require formal approval, but many locals are unaware.”

In late June, forest rangers and local police halted logging activities by two households in the area and confiscated the timber.

The provincial forest protection agency said the trees were being sold for firewood.

“Forest rangers have documented the case, suspended the logging, and temporarily confiscated the timber while we investigate,” the provincial mobile forest ranger unit said in a statement.

The unit added it is working with local authorities to clarify land-use history and determine whether laws were broken.