The agriculture ministry is drawing up plans for a project on sustainable forest protection, restoration and development in the Central Highlands in an effort to stop the loss of forest coverage.
Forest in Dak Nong province’s Dak Song district being chopped down to grow pepper plants (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Ruraওl Development is drawing up plans for a project on sustainable forest protection, restoration and development in the Central Highlands in an effort to stop the loss of forest coverage.
Costs for the project, to be implemented between now and 2025, will be 19.85 trillion VND (886.16 million USD), with 7.34 trillion VND (327.67 million USD) sourced from the State budget.
The existing natural forest of 2.24 million ha in the region will be strictly protected, including forests allocated to approved projects that have yet to be implemented.
By 2025, the forest coverage will increase to 2.76 million ha from the current 2.56 million ha, reaching 49.6 percent, up from the current 46 percent.
The proper protection, management and development of forest resources is expected to fuel the region’s socio-economic development, enhance conservation of bio-diversity, and improve livelihoods of locals, as well as maintain the region’s defence and security.
Between 2010 and 2015, forest coverage fell by 312,416 ha and 5.8 percent, respectively.
Only 49,500 ha of forest were planted between 2011 and 2015.
The disappearance of forests has been caused mostly by deforestation and massive conversion of forest land for cultivation.
Poor management by State agencies and local authorities as well as forest owners who are responsible for local management has allowed residents to invade forested land.
Speaking at a conference on forest management held in Gia Lai province on September 20, Nguyen Viet Dung, deputy director of the nonprofit PanNature, said the restoration of forests was feasible if it brought economic benefits such as profits from cassava and coffee cultivation.
He said it was difficult to prevent illegal deforestation as there was strong demand for wood.
He said the national project goals might not be feasible as residents continued to take land for cultivation.
A forest protection official in Zone 4 in Dak Lak province said it was vital to keep existing forests, but it was nearly impossible to accomplish.
More than 791,000 ha in the region have been allocated for forestry plantation, but much of the soil is depleted and not suited for cultivation.
Reclaiming forest land once used illegally by local people remains a difficult task.
However, Nguyen Quoc Tri, deputy head of the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, said the project’s draft had been carefully researched and that the targets could be fulfilled.
The proposal is expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval in the third quarter of the year.-VNA
Vietnam had more than 14 million hectares of forest as of December 21, 2015, including over 10.1 million hectares of natural forest and nearly 3.9 million hectares of planted forest.
Vietnam and Laos have reaped encouraging outcomes in their forestry cooperation but also need to make more efforts to address existing problems along their shared border.
The planted forest area in Vietnam reached 128,800 hectares in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year decline of 8.7 percent, due to floods in northern mountainous provinces in August.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
Forest in Dak Nong province’s Dak Song district being chopped down to grow pepper plants (Photo: VNA)
