VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s forest cover increased from 37 per cent in 2005 to nearly 39 per cent last year, said experts at a meeting for the Vietnam Forestry Development Strategy to 2020 held last week in Hanoi.

"The main goals of the strategy include sustainable development of 16.24 million hectares of forestry land; raising the forest cover to 43 per cent by the year 2010 and to 47 per cent by the year 2020; and more participation by economic sectors and social organisations in forestry development activities," said Nguyen Ngoc Binh, head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MARD) Forestry Department.

Deputy Minister Hua Duc Nhi said "the strategy was aimed at speeding up afforestation, improving forest quality as well as increasing economic benefits from forests to help those living in forested areas."

He added that forest protection and afforestation play an important role in hunger eradication and poverty reduction because up to 85 per cent of forest reserves lie in the upland provinces where high poverty rates prevail.

According to the latest ministry statistics, the total forested area in the country increased to nearly 13 million hectares. In 2005 forests covered about 10 million hectares.

Production forests

Production forest area, included in the total, has developed quickly with investments made by provinces, individuals and enterprises reaching nearly VND3.9 trillion (US$216 million) in the last three years.

Binh said that the income earned from materials for paper production and timber for construction would become the main source of income for a large number of households in the northern, central and highland provinces.

"This contributes to the dramatic decrease in illegally logged areas. In 2008, deforestation occurred on only 3,800ha, while the figure was three times higher in 2005," said Binh.

The wood processing industry continues to grow, with export turnover last year reaching $2.8 billion. This figure is anticipated to rise to $3 billion this year, while in 2006 it was only $1.9 billion.

Ministry statistics also show that the country has planted nearly 6,000 breeding forests which provide more than 1,000 tonnes of saplings per year. For example, 2,300 arboreta provide 880 million saplings per year for localities nationwide to afforest and form new forests.

Authorities have entrusted households and enterprises with nearly 10 million hectares of forests for protection and afforestation.

"To reach the 2010 goal, comprehensive and long-term solutions for forestry development should be drawn up," said Binh.

More solutions

Nhi said that to achieve the goals, a favourable finance mobilisation mechanism was needed to encourage more economic sectors to take part in reforestation.

In addition, households that have been officially entrusted with forest protection and afforestation need favourable conditions to nurture the forests.

For example, it is necessary for these households to be allocated some area to farm so they can have peace of mind while taking part in forest protection.

In yesterday’s consultancy meeting, experts suggested that it was necessary for MARD and the ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, and Finance to draw out a joint circular on procedure creation and granting certificates to individuals and enterprises giving them the right to use or own forestry land.

MARD also suggested that the Government consider exempting enterprises from paying forest land fees in the first years of production.

According to the meeting, it is necessary for the ministry to draw out sustainable forest management and supervision methods to ensure afforestation results.

Scientific research for forestry should also receive attention to improve the quality of forestry products.