On October 29, Phu Quoc Special Zone said that, following instructions from Dinh Van Noi, deputy secretary of the An Giang provincial Party Committee and secretary of the Phu Quoc Special Zone Party Committee, local authorities had begun urgently reviewing hundreds of outstanding forest land violation cases.
During the first week of the campaign, many residents voluntarily dismantled violating structures and returned the land to management authorities.
According to local authorities, 699 forest land violation cases remain in Phu Quoc. By October 28, after the first week of the campaign, working groups had contacted and worked on 377 files.
Of these, 112 files already had administrative penalty decisions but had not been fully resolved. In another 152 files, the individuals or organisations responsible had not been identified. Phu Quoc National Park issued notices seeking information to identify those responsible and handle the cases under the law.
Following Dinh Van Noi's instruction to establish clear people, tasks and responsibilities, Area II Forest Protection Department worked with Phu Quoc National Park and other units to form several working groups. They went directly to the sites, invited violators to work with them and encouraged voluntary remediation.
The authorities focused on persuading violators to remove planted trees, dismantle illegal structures and take down other unauthorised constructions. Many cases have already involved voluntary dismantling and the return of cleared land or naturally regenerating forest areas to Phu Quoc National Park.
For the remaining files, authorities are continuing verification, surveying and the completion of procedures for action under the law.
Alongside the initial results, the campaign has been slowed by difficulties contacting some individuals and organisations involved in the violations. Under the plan, the units will complete the review before moving to final handling of cases within their authority over 15 days, from November 1 to 15.
The authorities are also working with telecommunications, electricity and water providers to cut electricity, water and telecommunications services in areas where forest land violations were found.
Authorities asked organisations and individuals connected with the cases to contact Area II Forest Protection Department or the Forest Management and Protection Division of Phu Quoc National Park for guidance and resolution under the law.
After the first week of the campaign, provincial departments and agencies also supported the work on forest land violations in Phu Quoc. The Department of Agriculture and Environment has prepared a plan to reinforce the local team with specialist staff.
Sources: Dân Trí
