Hundred-year-old nghien forest in Ha Giang destroyed
Ancient nghien trees (Excentrodendron tonkinense) in Ha Giang province, in the middle of old forests and on high cliffs, have been lost due to illegal logging and clearing to make room for hydropower plants and mineral exploitation. However, the plan has failed: the province has lost thousands of ancient forests, enterprises have complained about losses and given up mining, and locals are facing serious pollution. Illegal loggers fell trees, saw the wood into planks, throw the planks from cliffs into the hydropower reservoir bed, and then drag the wood ashore. Local authorities still cannot find a way to stop them. Reporters managed to persuade a man to lead them to the nghien forest in Bac Me district. On the way from Ha Giang City to Lac Nong commune, they turned to a track leading to the wharf on the Tuyen Quang hydropower reservoir. Two wood plates, as large as two adults’ arms, were on the ground.
