GIA LAI — The Government Inspectorate of Việt Nam has detected violations related to the project to convert 50,000ha of substandard forest area into rubber farms in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai. From 2008 to 2012, chairman of the province People’s Committee Phạm Thế Dũng approved the project to convert 50,000ha of substandard forest area into rubber farms. As many as 16 companies were allocated forest land to grow rubber on a total area of 35,000ha. During the period 2010-2011, the province People’s Committee rented nearly 5,000ha for companies to grow rubber, which did not follow land use plans toward 2012 that were prepared earlier. The public, therefore, is very concerned about the violations that have left a negative impact on socio-economic development and environment of the province.

Source: Viet Nam News September 29, 2017 06:56 UTC