On February 8, the Dak Nong Border Defense Command sent a report to the Provincial Party Committee, Dak Nong People’s Committee, and related agencies regarding the investigation and verification of information about the illegal logging of 569 trees along the border patrol route managed by Bu Chap Border Station.
Colonel Bui Duc Chinh, Deputy Political Commissar of the Dak Nong Border Defense Command, provided information on the deforestation along the border patrol route managed by Bu Chap Border Station (Photo: Uy Nguyen).
According to the Dak Nong Border Defense Command, on December 21, 2024, Bu Chap Border Station invited representatives from the Border Protection Forest Management Board and the Joint Forest Inspection Office of Tuy Duc and Dak R’lap districts to discuss clearing trees alongside the border patrol road to ensure safety for travelers.
At this meeting, representatives from the Border Protection Forest Management Board and the Joint Forest Inspection Office confirmed that tree clearing is within the purview of forestry authorities and forest managers. Consequently, Bu Chap Border Station agreed to allow these units to carry out the clearance work.
Scene of the deforestation (Photo: Uy Nguyen).
Following this, forestry units and forest managers proceeded with tree clearing operations.
On January 16, while inspecting the border patrol route under the jurisdiction of Bu Chap Border Station in Quang Truc commune (Tuy Duc district), forestry officials discovered a person operating a modified tractor transporting timber without proper documentation.
Based on the suspect’s confession, authorities found numerous felled tree trunks cut into segments and stacked along the border patrol route managed by Bu Chap Border Station.
In total, 569 trees were illegally cut down within the protected forest area managed by the Border Protection Forest Management Board. More than 32 square meters of timber and a large quantity of firewood were left at the scene.
Remaining timber and firewood from the deforestation incident (Photo: Uy Nguyen).
The Dak Nong Border Defense Command reported that after inspection by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, it was concluded that the tree-clearing activities showed signs of legal violations. Bu Chap Border Station then coordinated with relevant authorities.
All the felled trees were located within the border patrol lane that had been cleared since 2011 and consisted of regenerating trees not within the protected forest area.
The Dak Nong Border Defense Command emphasized that there were no indications of collusion, cover-up, or protection by Bu Chap Border Station personnel during the tree-clearing process.
The case is currently being investigated by the police to determine the full facts.
