Despite the introduction new regulations that will fine individuals or companies up to 15 million VND (790 USD) for polluting the environment, trees are still being cut down and killed with toxic chemicals.
Under the regulations, parties that are found guilty of exploiting trees for personal or commercial purposes can be fined 500,000 VND -1 million VND (26-52 USD).
The new regulation aims to combat the illegal logging and exploitation of trees.
Since the regulations came into effect last week, there are still reports that advertising signs, posters and decorative lights had been put on several trees throughout the city. Most violators who have been caught claim that they were unaware of the existence of the new law.
"Police only monitor pavement encroachments by shops and restaurants and do nothing to stop the exploitation of trees," said a bread vendor on Hang Can Street .
The head of the Tay Ho District People Committee's Urban Management Unit, Nguyen Le Hoang, admitted that violations had been reported. Hoang said the district would count the number of trees that had been harmed and would investigate the cases in the future.
Truong Minh Hai, head of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee Urban Management Unit, said most of the districts were calculating the number of trees in their jurisdiction so that they may enforce the regulations in a more effective manner in the future.
Nguyen Duc Manh, a representative from the Hanoi Green Tree One Member Co Ltd, said that 36 cases of tree exploitation had been reported in the first four months of this year. Most of the reported trees were destroyed by toxic chemicals or underground construction.
Manh said it was hard to identify and punish violators because most of these trees had been exploited late at night. According to relevant authorities, there are more than 44,640 trees in the nine central districts of Hanoi .
Manh said local authorities should speed up efforts to disseminate information to local residents about the new regulations and increase patrols in order to prevent any further vandalisation.
If anyone has any information about suspects who might have vandalised trees then please inform the local authorities or call the hotline 04.38228136./.
Under the regulations, parties that are found guilty of exploiting trees for personal or commercial purposes can be fined 500,000 VND -1 million VND (26-52 USD).
The new regulation aims to combat the illegal logging and exploitation of trees.
Since the regulations came into effect last week, there are still reports that advertising signs, posters and decorative lights had been put on several trees throughout the city. Most violators who have been caught claim that they were unaware of the existence of the new law.
"Police only monitor pavement encroachments by shops and restaurants and do nothing to stop the exploitation of trees," said a bread vendor on Hang Can Street .
The head of the Tay Ho District People Committee's Urban Management Unit, Nguyen Le Hoang, admitted that violations had been reported. Hoang said the district would count the number of trees that had been harmed and would investigate the cases in the future.
Truong Minh Hai, head of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee Urban Management Unit, said most of the districts were calculating the number of trees in their jurisdiction so that they may enforce the regulations in a more effective manner in the future.
Nguyen Duc Manh, a representative from the Hanoi Green Tree One Member Co Ltd, said that 36 cases of tree exploitation had been reported in the first four months of this year. Most of the reported trees were destroyed by toxic chemicals or underground construction.
Manh said it was hard to identify and punish violators because most of these trees had been exploited late at night. According to relevant authorities, there are more than 44,640 trees in the nine central districts of Hanoi .
Manh said local authorities should speed up efforts to disseminate information to local residents about the new regulations and increase patrols in order to prevent any further vandalisation.
If anyone has any information about suspects who might have vandalised trees then please inform the local authorities or call the hotline 04.38228136./.
