Hoang Van Chuyen, deputy head of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Forest Protection Department, announced on 18/4 that the unit had approved a plan to return all seized Syzygium myrtifolium trees and saplings, which are evidence of violations, to special-use forests for care and protection. Receiving locations include Ben En and Xuan Lien National Parks, and Pu Luong and Pu Hu Nature Reserves in Thanh Hoa.
According to Chuyen, by mid-April, authorities had detected and handled over 30 cases of illegal Syzygium myrtifolium exploitation and transportation, seizing more than 280 trees and issuing fines totaling nearly 150 million VND. These trees are currently under the temporary care of forest protection units before being transferred.
The forest protection sector believes that conventional auctioning or liquidation could legitimize the origin of wild trees, creating loopholes for the recycling of seized items and complicating forest product management.
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Thanh Hoa mobile forest protection team inventories seized Syzygium myrtifolium. *Photo: Lam Son*
Beyond management considerations, returning Syzygium myrtifolium to the forest is also ecologically appropriate. Syzygium myrtifolium naturally grows on limestone mountain slopes, where specific soil conditions, humidity, and stable microbial systems exist. The chosen national parks and nature reserves offer similar environments, helping the trees adapt well and increasing their recovery potential after being felled.
Furthermore, special-use forest management units possess the necessary technical capabilities and personnel for long-term monitoring and care, ensuring stable tree development.
Recently, Syzygium myrtifolium (scientific name: *Syzygium myrtifolium*) has become a craze, dubbed the "queen" among bonsai enthusiasts. With its rugged appearance, thick leaves, and ancient moss, this species is sought after for display in tea rooms and on desks. This trend has driven the price of Syzygium myrtifolium trees from a few million VND to hundreds of millions VND per root.
High profits have led many people to brave dangers, using crowbars, hammers, and saws to chip away at vertical limestone cliffs in areas like Cam Thuy, Ba Thuoc, and Ngoc Lac to extract trees. Forest protection forces have recorded numerous cases of people slipping and sustaining serious injuries while searching for Syzygium myrtifolium.
According to authorities, Syzygium myrtifolium exploitation not only threatens the survival of this species but also disrupts the landscape and severely impacts the forest ecosystem.
A man dangles from a vertical cliff to fell Syzygium myrtifolium. *Video: Lam Son*
The leader of the Thanh Hoa Forest Protection Department stated that patrols and controls would continue to be strengthened in key areas, with strict action taken against illegal Syzygium myrtifolium exploitation, transportation, and trade.
Thanh Hoa Provincial Police warned residents not to chase speculative price bubbles and to avoid participating in activities that harm forests. Hunting Syzygium myrtifolium not only compromises forest security but also directly endangers participants' lives. Unauthorized exploitation of forest products is a violation of the law, subject to administrative penalties or criminal prosecution.
Le Hoang
