Deforestation case in Kon Tum: Sufficient grounds to prosecute the case, request to dismantle illegal houses

On May 15, the Kon Tum Provincial Forest Protection Department said it was coordinating with relevant agencies to conduct a scene investigation of the deforestation incident that occurred at Lot 2, Block 7, Sub-area 747 (Ia Toi Commune, Ia Hdrai District). Through initial inspection, it was determined that the area of forest encroachment was 0.98 hectares, sufficient to constitute the crime of forest destruction.

Báo Sài Gòn Giải phóng•15/05/2025

Scene clip of deforestation

Mr. Nguyen Van Tien – Deputy Head of Kon Tum Forest Protection Department – said that the destroyed area belongs to the production forest category, and the authorities are continuing to expand inspections to neighboring areas and measure the volume of wood at the scene. The purpose of the deforestation is determined to be to take land for production.

Authorities are completing the case file to prosecute the case as soon as possible.

Scene of the incident

In connection with the incident, a solidly built two-story wooden house right next to the destroyed forest was determined to be illegally built on forestry land.

On May 14, the authorities of Ia Toi commune worked with Mr. Tran Trong Du (owner of the above house, residing in Ia To commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province). Mr. Du said that he bought the above wooden house from the people of Ia Dal commune (Ia Hdrai district) in late 2017, early 2018; then built it on the forest land belonging to the forest area managed by Sa Thay Rubber Joint Stock Company.

After working with the local authorities, Mr. Du committed to voluntarily dismantle the illegal construction before May 25, authorizing Ms. Le Thi Thuy (Ia Toi commune) to carry out the demolition. If the deadline is exceeded, the Ia Toi commune People's Committee will organize enforcement according to regulations.

The illegally built wooden house has not been demolished for many years.

Regarding the question of whether Mr. Du was involved in the deforestation, Mr. Le Tien Trung - Deputy Head of the Ia Hdrai District Forest Protection Department - said that the case is currently being investigated and clarified.

Mr. Thao Hong Son - Secretary of Ia Hdrai District Party Committee - said that the wooden house was discovered a long time ago, but because the owner was often absent, the handling of the case took a long time.

The Kon Tum Provincial Party Committee's Internal Affairs Committee has requested the Standing Committee of Ia Hdrai District Party Committee and the Provincial Forest Protection Department to report the investigation results and clarify information reported by the press related to the deforestation incident in sub-area 747 (Ia Toi commune, Ia Hdrai district).

Previously, SGGP Newspaper reported on the scene of deforestation in Ia Toi commune with many trees cut down, next to a two-story wooden house solidly built on forest land.

HAPPY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/vu-pha-rung-o-kon-tum-du-can-cu-khoi-to-vu-an-yeu-cau-thao-do-nha-trai-phep-post795316.html