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CCD Coalition: 206 - Earth’s Tree News

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Vietnam:

DAK LAK — Rising migration to Central Highlands provinces is leading to increasing deforestation, particularly in the provinces of Dak Lak and Dak Nong. Local authorities in Dak Lak said they were concerned the influx of people was getting out of hand as many move into the forests to make a living by cutting down trees. The Director of the Planning Office under the Dak Lak Settlements Committee, Pham Van Ngan, said local forests were in danger of disappearing. “The situation is becoming uncontrollable,” said Ngan. “The Government should help us find a solution or we will see our forests gradually disappear. According to Ngan the flood of immigrants coming to the province started in 2005. Dak Lak authorities recorded 2,321 people or 500 new households settling in the province during the last two years. There were 256 new households or 1,188 immigrants in 2005, 186 new households or 821 immigrants in 2006, and 67 new households with 312 immigrants in the first quarter this year. However, local authorities said the real number was much higher as many people who settle down in the forest come in small groups of ten to 20 and not all family members are noted by authorities.

According to statistics from the Dak Lak Forest Management Department, nearly 100ha of forest have been occupied for cultivation by migrants. According to the head of the department, at least 20ha of forest have been cut down by immigrants in the first four months this year. The department said officers had recently discovered eight Mong ethnic minority households with 50 members from the northern province of Ha Giang had settled in the jungle at Lak District’s Dak Nue Commune. http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01POP210607