Environment and natural resources
Forests and forestry
In defining plantations as forest, FAO attracts criticism
What’s in a definition? For some, too much. Nearly 200 organizations have signed an open letter to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, calling for the agency to change how they define “forest” – the very landscape honored today on International Day ...
Ranger station razed by mob
A mob of some 60 men burned down an environmental ranger station inside Mondulkiri’s Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary on Friday, allegedly as revenge against rangers who had previously stopped them from clearing forest, an official said yesterday. Keo Sopheak, provincial environmental department director, said the ...
Denmark prohibits companies from selling Myanmar teak on European Union markets
Denmark last week placed an injunction on all Danish companies that prohibits them from selling teak imported from Myanmar on European markets. The ruling comes after evidence that Danish timber company Keflico had violated the European Union Timber Regulation was brought to light by the ...
Myanmar timber enterprise to respond to Danish teak sanctions
Danish authorities have made a ruling to place injunctions on all seven Danish operators bringing Myanmar teak into the Scandinavian country. Myanmar Timber Enterprise has plans to respond to the sanctions placed on the entire Myanmar teak industry, according to U Khin Maung Kyi, deputy ...
Probe finds high-ranking officials involved in smuggling timber to Vietnam
An official investigation has found that more than a dozen police, military police and army officials allegedly colluded with Vietnamese timber smugglers to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars in bribes, according to a letter from National Police Commissioner Neth Savoeun. Signed by ...
Illegal logging in Quảng Nam
Local administration and provincial agencies are investigating illegal logging in the Bắc Trà My District’s protective forest. Trần Anh Tuấn, Chairman of the district’s People’s Committee, confirmed the ongoing investigation to the Việt Nam News on March 15, saying that the illegal forest destruction has occurred in Trà ...
Haze problem worsens in North as many provinces hit by wildfires
Many provinces were affected by wildfires yesterday, causing the acute haze problem to intensify, while the Disease Control Department warned vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the infirm to stay indoors and wear face masks. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said that due to ...
Savannakhet orders 253 furniture plants to shut down
Savannakhet provincial authorities have ordered 253 family-based furniture plants to shut down many of them operating without business licenses, while some are failing to meet set standards. Some 166 plants are operating without business licenses, while the 87 remaining plants approved by districts’ authorities failed ...
The mysterious ancient cinnamon forest on Ngoc Linh mountain
There is a cinnamon forest, hundreds of years old, on the Mount of Ngoc Linh. One has to pass through tens of hills, muddy roads and climb many rocks for hours to reach the mysterious forest, located in Tra Van commune of Nam Tra My ...
Xayaboury to open forest as latest visitor attraction
Xayaboury province is opening up its largest forest as one of its visitor attractions, hoping to draw more people to experience its natural beauty and raise its profile as a tourist destination. Director of the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Chanthi Simanichan, said ...