The government has just issued a decree regarding the management of forest plants and rare wild animals. Accordingly, people are allowed to defend themselves only when directly attacked by these animals.
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A wildlife trafficking case was uncovered on March 16, 2004, in Da Nang (Photo: VNN) |
On March 30, the government issued a decree on the management of endangered, rare forest plants and animals.
The decree explicitly prohibits the exploitation of endangered and rare forest plants; hunting, trapping, capturing, breeding, slaughtering endangered and rare wild animals in violation of regulations.
It also strictly forbids the transportation, processing, advertising, trading, use, storage, export, and import of endangered and rare forest plants and animals in contravention of regulations.
According to this decree, in any case where wild animals threaten or harm the property or lives of individuals, organizations, households, or individuals, prior measures must be taken to drive the animals away without causing harm to them.
In situations where endangered or rare wild animals directly attack and threaten the lives of people outside specially protected forests, after efforts to drive them away have failed, a report must be made to the Chairman of the People’s Committee of the district, town, or city under provincial authority for consideration and decision on whether to allow trapping or shooting in self-defense to protect the lives of the people.
Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, individuals may be subject to criminal prosecution in accordance with current legal regulations.
