Illegal tree-cutting in Seac Pai Van

Twenty trees that used to stand on the sidewalk of Rua das Árvores do Pagode in the Seac Pai Van avenue have been removed.
According to an announcement made by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), on-duty IACM staff were the first to discover that the trees had been removed, leaving behind 20 holes that are now filled with concrete. Remains of tree branches and roots were all cleared. The 20 trees consisted of 17 Ormosia pinnata, a Hong Kong orchid tree, a glossy shower and a weeping fig. A preliminary estimate by IACM shows that the loss amounts to about MOP300,000 worth of trees.
IACM checked relevant records, only to find the bureau had not approved any third party removal of the trees, hence concluding that no one was allowed to relocate or transplant the trees. The removal of the public trees is believed to have been made illegally. IACM has reported the matter to both the Judiciary Police and the Public Security Police Force of Macau.
Investigations are now ongoing. The bureau expressed its complete disapproval of such behavior, stating that it damaged the environment and ecology. IACM also condemns these acts of vandalism and theft, and has pledged that it will recover the due compensation, considering the legal consequences reserved for such acts, from the responsible parties. Staff reporter