Laying a sustainable foundation for forestry economy

BHG - Agricultural and forestry development is identified as a "pillar" of the province's economy . Exploiting its potential and strengths, the province is synchronizing solutions for sustainable forestry development associated with increasing people's income.

The total area of land planned for forestry is over 571,244 hectares, accounting for over 72.05% of the province's natural land area. The forest coverage rate in 2024 will reach 59.3%. The total forest area is over 470,166 hectares, of which the natural forest area is 388,309 hectares, accounting for 82.59% of the total existing forest area. These are forests with rich ecosystems, high biodiversity and are home to the gene sources of many rare animals and plants; the planted forest area is over 81,857 hectares, accounting for 17.41% of the total existing forest area. Therefore, the forestry sector plays an important role in socio-economic development and is considered the foundation for sustainable development in protecting the ecological environment, combating climate change and ensuring livelihoods for people, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction.

A patrol by forest rangers of Yen Minh district.

In recent years, the development of green economy, sustainable agriculture and forestry associated with forest protection, environmental protection and natural disaster prevention and control has always been strongly directed by Party committees and authorities at all levels from the province to the grassroots level and the efforts of all levels, sectors and people of all ethnic groups in the province in organizing and implementing. In the period of 2021 - 2025, support for forest protection contracts was implemented on 344,760 hectares; support for forest protection was implemented on 55,772 hectares; support for the development of production forest planting was implemented on over 162 hectares.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Nhi Son said: Investment policies and support for forest protection and development are highly social, the beneficiaries are those who live near the forest, in the forest and are the ones who have a direct impact on the forest and forest land. Currently, people clearly see the attention of the Party and State for the people of ethnic minorities in the highlands, so they have gradually changed their awareness of forest management and protection. People have income, contributing to improving their lives and sustainable poverty reduction.

However, according to the policy mechanism stipulated in Decree No. 58, dated May 24, 2024 of the Government on a number of investment policies in forestry, specifically guided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Circular No. 22, dated December 11, 2024, the promulgated policy has many opportunities in forest management, protection and development, but when implemented in the province, many problems arise, such as: The level of financial support for forest management and protection is still low, for example, support for the Special-use Forest Management Board is much lower than that for the Protection Forest Management Board; the level of financial support for assigned forest areas is much higher than the unassigned or unleased forest areas currently managed by the People's Committees at the commune level.

District leaders and Meo Vac forest rangers participate in tree planting.

On the other hand, the level of forest protection support is low, only meeting about 1/3 of the labor standards for forest protection of the people; the forest area not yet assigned and managed by the People's Committee at the commune level does not have a policy of contracting to the people as before, so the people do not directly receive forest protection funds for this area, leading to many difficulties in propagating for people to participate in forest protection...

To overcome difficulties and lay the foundation for sustainable forestry development, the Party Committees and authorities at all levels in the province are actively implementing and spreading widely to all classes of people about tree planting, afforestation, forest protection, and protection of ecological landscapes and environments. Evaluate by year and stage to promptly resolve difficulties; replicate good, creative, and flexible practices in implementing plans and projects of some localities.

“The province is synchronously implementing sustainable forestry development programs, focusing on solving people's livelihoods, taking the harmonious relationship between forests and people as the driving force, combining short-term and long-term goals. Focusing on protecting, protecting and restoring natural forests, planting scattered trees in forest gaps, prioritizing the development of native and multi-purpose trees. Promoting the dissemination of the State's policies and guidelines on forest management, protection and development so that people can understand and grasp the State's support policies and mechanisms, encouraging people to enthusiastically participate in implementation" - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Nhi Son affirmed.

Article and photos: Kim Tien

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/kinh-te/202506/dat-nen-mong-ben-vung-cho-kinh-te-lam-nghiep-97c26f5/