In early July, the Forest Protection Department of northern Hue city inspected the protection forest in An Loc village (formerly Quang Cong commune, now part of Phong Quang ward) and discovered a large area of felled sicklepod trees. This forest, planted almost 20 years ago, aimed to mitigate sandstorms, landslides, and coastal erosion.

At the scene in plots 152 and 161, compartment 1, sub-compartment 89, numerous sicklepod trees with diameters ranging from 6 to 30 cm were cut down near their bases. Most of the timber has been removed, leaving behind only diseased trunks and dry branches. The deforested area is adjacent to the An Loc village resettlement area, a location previously impacted by severe coastal erosion.

According to the Forest Protection Department of northern Hue city, a total of 3.1 hectares of sicklepod trees were felled, including 2.5 hectares within the coastal protection forest and nearly 0.6 hectares of production forest. Officials counted 1,461 felled trees, marking their locations for the investigation.

Plots 152 and 161 of sub-compartment 89 of the coastal protection forest in An Loc village have been felled. Photo: Vo Thanh

In late 4/2025, the Forest Protection Department, along with the People's Committee of the former Quang Cong commune and representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of the former Quang Dien district, conducted a field inspection of several forest plots, including plot 152. The inspection report at that time called for increased forest monitoring and protection, and no logging activity was detected.

The Hue City Forest Protection Sub-department believes the incident indicates large-scale organized logging. The Forest Protection Department of northern Hue city is collaborating with Phong Quang ward authorities to investigate.

A felled sicklepod tree stump marked by forest rangers during the site inspection. Photo: Vo Thanh

An Loc village (formerly in Quang Cong commune, now Phong Quang ward) was previously a coastal erosion hotspot. Dozens of households were relocated to a resettlement area over 300 m from the eroded area. However, after the relocation, the former Quang Cong commune authorities allowed some households, including relatives of commune officials, to construct restaurants and homestays on the previously eroded land. Despite Quang Dien district's orders to halt construction and business operations, many establishments continued operating and expanding.

Vo Thanh