Need to strictly handle the subjects cutting down trees in Vinh city.

Clip: Nguyen Chau

These days, the people of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward are very upset and angry about the situation of trees in the block being cut down by bad guys. Every day, people come to see the scene, heartbroken when witnessing the growing trees lying on the road, the cut marks still have sap flowing down.

The scene of the incident on Phan Canh Quang Street, Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward. Photo: NC

Ms. Thai Thi Ly, a resident of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward, said: These trees are located at the local playground, and were planted by the locals about 2 years ago. They are now tall and provide shade. However, on October 7, a mango tree was chopped down by a bad guy, almost falling down.

Fearing that the tree would fall, causing accidents and affecting traffic, people gathered to re-erect the tree and reported it to local authorities for a solution.

However, on the evening of October 11 and early morning of October 12, there was another incident of tree cutting in this area. Accordingly, the star apple tree about 3 meters from the mango tree was also cut in half by the subjects. Not only that, the roof of the entertainment area and the notice board of the people were also vandalized and broken. People said that at the time of the incident, it was late at night so there were no witnesses.

According to observations by reporters on October 13, two mango and star apple trees, about 7-9 meters high, had both fallen and been uprooted. Next to them, the playground for the people was also destroyed, with fresh welds and cuts, and stone benches tilted…

People are very sad and angry because they have planted and cared for these trees for many years. Photo: NC

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ba, a resident of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward, shared: This community playground has an area of about 30 square ^meters , located on public land. Previously, it was a place for household waste, causing environmental pollution. Therefore, about 2 years ago, households in the block contributed more than 40 million VND to renovate this area. Since then, this has been a healthy playground for people in the block, children read books, adults chat, play chess. There is also a bulletin board to announce news of the ward and city for people to know.

“When renovating the public playground, we also planted trees to provide shade, everyone was excited. Who would have thought that today, the trees were cut down, the activity site was destroyed, people were very angry…” - Mr. Ba sighed.

Tall trees were cut down mercilessly. Photo: NC

On October 12, Vinh City Green Park Joint Stock Company issued Report No. 64/BC-CVCX on the situation of trees on Phan Canh Quang Street, Ha Huy Tap Ward being continuously cut down. Accordingly, on October 9 and 12, the company received notices from residents of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward, that trees on the sidewalk in front of house number 31 Phan Canh Quang Street were cut down. After checking the scene, it was determined that on the sidewalk in front of house number 31 Phan Canh Quang Street, Vinh City, there was a mango tree with a base diameter of 0.45m, 7-8 meters high, which had its trunk cut across on October 7, 2023; a milk fruit tree with a base diameter of 0.25m, 6-7 meters high, had its trunk cut across on the morning of October 12, 2023 (around 00:30 am).

The company has coordinated with the City Urban Order Team and the Urban Rules Team of Ha Huy Tap Ward to make a record of the current situation of the arbitrary cutting down of trees managed by the city.

Residents of Block 10, Ha Huy Tap Ward are upset because ornamental trees were cut down and public playgrounds were destroyed. Photo: NC

Discussing this issue, Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam - Vice Chairman of Ha Huy Tap Ward People's Committee said: Immediately after receiving feedback from the people, the local authorities were present at the scene and recorded this incident, and at the same time retrieved community cameras to verify the subject. In fact, on the evening of October 11 and early morning of October 12, there were a number of young men walking around this area, however, because this camera did not cover the tree area, there was not enough basis to determine whether the tree was cut down or not.

The machine cut marks are clearly visible. Photo: NC

“Currently, the locality is coordinating with the police to verify and investigate, clarify the subjects who cut down ornamental trees; at the same time, we recommend that people install cameras in this area to monitor and supervise, if the subjects continue to do this, there will be grounds for strict handling according to the provisions of the law.” - Mr. Ngo Xuan Nam said.

It is worth mentioning that, according to local people, this is not the first time trees in this area have been cut down. Previously, on November 16, 2021, tree destruction in this area also occurred. The Urban Rules Team of the People's Committee of Ha Huy Tap Ward also made a record of the act of destroying trees and ornamental plants on the bunva of Kenh Bac Street intersecting with Phan Canh Quang Street for a household in the block. At that time, the number of trees that were cut down included 2 8m-high banyan trees that were cut across the trunk and 3 red-fruited areca trees that were cut across the trunk. Thus, in this area, after 2 years, 7 trees have been cut down for no reason, causing outrage among local people.

Vinh City said it will investigate and strictly handle the person who cut down the trees. Photo: NC

Through discussion, the representative of Vinh City's leadership said that he had received the information; at the same time, he directed Ha Huy Tap ward and the police force to verify, clarify and strictly handle the subject who destroyed the trees in the area.

Regarding this issue, according to Clause 3, Article 54, Decree No. 16/2022/ND-CP dated January 28, 2022, stipulating administrative sanctions for construction violations, it clearly states that a fine of VND 30,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 shall be imposed for acts of arbitrarily cutting down, moving, digging up urban tree stumps or cutting tree roots without a license.

Source