Department of Forestry and Forestry: Need to soon issue "green books" for "treasures" of nature

One of the most important tasks today is to ensure the living environment for rare and precious endemic animals. (Photo: VNA)

On the threshold of entering a period of accelerated economic development, infrastructure, tourism... preserving the living space for wildlife, especially rare and precious endemic wildlife species and ecosystems is no longer a choice - but a vital responsibility, closely linked to the quality of life, ecological security and the right to breathe clean air of future generations.

Therefore, after VietnamPlus Electronic Newspaper published a series of articles " Building conservation space: A vital imperative, a responsibility for the future ," Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Forestry ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) - Mr. Doan Hoai Nam said that it is necessary to soon issue "green books" - to establish planned and projected conservation areas to protect and conserve natural treasures.

A strong wake-up call

- First, could you please tell us the assessment of the Department of Forestry and Forest Rangers on the series of articles just reported by VietnamPlus Electronic Newspaper?

Deputy Director Doan Hoai Nam: We have read the series and found that this is a series of elaborate, topical articles that have an impact on management agencies as well as policy makers and those implementing activities related to the field of conservation, sustainable development of forest resources, protection of the natural environment, biodiversity, and at the same time raising awareness of the community and policy makers about the urgency of conservation work, towards a green economy and sustainable development.

In particular, the series of articles has sounded a strong alarm about the alarming situation of nature conservation and environmental protection in Vietnam under the pressure of economic development; clearly demonstrating the role and responsibility of press agencies in reflecting issues that have a great impact on the future of the country.

In addition, the series of articles also analyzed in depth the role of local leaders, arguing that the key to the problem lies in the mindset and determination in choosing between short-term economic benefits and long-term sustainable development, which is completely appropriate in the current context.

- With the current situation as the series of articles we have just reflected, in your opinion, in order to protect ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, especially the rare population of Delacour's Langur in Kim Bang area, Ha Nam province (now Ninh Binh province), what specific instructions should the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province give?

Deputy Director Doan Hoai Nam: To effectively protect ecosystems and conserve biodiversity, the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province needs to direct relevant agencies to synchronously and resolutely implement strategies, plans and action plans approved by the Prime Minister on: Forestry, fisheries, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Specifically, the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province needs to focus on reviewing the institutional framework and legal policies to direct and ensure synchronous, unified and practical implementation; strictly comply with legal regulations as well as international commitments; strengthen the organization of law enforcement and supervision; strictly control activities affecting forest resources and environmental landscapes; ensure resources for forest management, protection, marine conservation and biodiversity activities.

For the Delacour's langur populations in Kim Bang in Ha Nam (now Ninh Binh), the local authorities need to urgently complete the dossier to establish a special-use forest to conserve the Delacour's langur species and habitat in accordance with the National Forestry Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 895/QD-TTg dated August 24, 2024.

Resolutely reject projects that cause impact

- On the side of the Department of Forestry and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, what will be the following proposals, interventions, and solutions to contribute to improving the effectiveness of conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity in the country in general; especially the populations of white-cheeked langurs in Ninh Binh province?

Deputy Director Doan Hoai Nam: To solve existing problems in the conservation of forest ecosystems and biodiversity, the urgent solution is to focus on reviewing and perfecting the legal system; ensuring consistency and unity between laws on forestry, environmental protection, biodiversity and conformity with practice as well as international commitments that Vietnam participates in.

Along with that, effectively organize and implement national strategies and plans on forestry, environment and biodiversity; strictly control activities related to the environment; improve the quality and transparency in environmental impact assessment for projects.

Localities need to resolutely reject projects that seriously affect important ecosystems; promote the application of science and technology.

- So, with the merger of provinces and cities, operating a 2-level local government model - in your opinion, should conservation areas (in the same locality) merge together to strengthen management and conservation work more effectively?

Deputy Director Doan Hoai Nam: The organization and management of special-use forests are specifically regulated in the Forestry Law. The special-use forests that have been established so far have all been properly implemented and effectively managed in the protection of forest resources and biodiversity.

Mr. Doan Hoai Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. (Photo source: BNEWS/VNA)

With the merger of provinces and cities, some provinces have now merged their management boards together for management. However, there is no basis to evaluate whether this model is more effective in management. Therefore, it is necessary to consider and evaluate on the basis of law, science and practice.

Urgent need for "green book" for endemic species

- In the case of areas that were planned to establish conservation areas (before the province's merger) such as the Kim Bang Delacour's Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area, in your opinion, should this area establish its own conservation area as planned, or should it be considered merging with the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve?

Deputy Director Doan Hoai Nam: In our opinion, the Kim Bang Delacour’s Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area should be established separately. (That is, this area should soon be granted a “green book” to ensure effective management, habitat protection, and wildlife conservation).

The reason is that the National Forestry Planning stipulates the separation of the Kim Bang White-cheeked Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area from the Van Long Species and Habitat Conservation Area (the former Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve is now also planned as a Species and Habitat Conservation Area). Scientifically, these forests are also not located in the same region or area.

However, the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee can consider establishing a management board to manage these two species-habitat conservation areas in the spirit of streamlining the apparatus that the Party and the State are implementing. On the other hand, Van Long area already has a management board and a person in charge, so management will also be convenient. The province can increase resources for the management board to take on the role of managing both conservation areas.

This issue is under the province's authority, so if the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province has the above plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is also ready to agree on the basis of truly effective management.

Previously, on August 24, 2024, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 895/QD-TTg approving the National Forestry Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. Accordingly, a new White-cheeked Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area in Kim Bang district was planned to be established with an area of 3,182 hectares.

Based on the locality's proposal, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also sent a document to the People's Committee of Ha Nam province. It determined that the project to establish the White-cheeked Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area in Kim Bang district is consistent with the Ha Nam Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1686/QD-TTg dated December 26, 2023; consistent with the National Forestry Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 895/QD-TTg dated August 24, 2024.

Therefore, the project to establish the Kim Bang White-cheeked Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area ensures the principles of establishing a special-use forest as stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 9 of Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Forestry Law and has some comments for further improvement. The Ministry has also requested local authorities to consider, direct the completion, decide to approve the establishment of the White-cheeked Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area in Kim Bang and soon organize management according to their authority.

For about 30 new zones expected to be established nationwide (from now until 2030), localities need to review and report to the Ministry on the implementation status, as well as difficulties and problems (if any), so that the Ministry has a basis for monitoring, urging and providing appropriate guidance for the new situation.

- Experience from some countries in the world, such as Thailand, all protected areas are under the unified management of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of Thailand. Thanks to that, forests and national parks are closely linked, have very broad planning and transparent budget use, so management is effective. In your opinion, can Vietnam apply this model?

Deputy Director Doan Hoai Nam: Each country has a different political system, so the models of State management in each field are also different. We should only refer to successful management models of other countries and apply them appropriately to the conditions and political circumstances of our country.

We have proposed this issue before, but in reality it is very difficult. The reason is that it depends on many factors, from policy mechanisms to financial and human issues. Therefore, specific research is needed./.

Thank you very much!

The special-use forest system in Vietnam was formed in 1962 with the establishment of Cuc Phuong forbidden forest (now Cuc Phuong National Park). Through many stages of development, the special-use forest system now has 35 national parks, 56 nature reserves, 18 species-habitat conservation areas and about 60 landscape protection areas, historical-cultural relics with a total area of over 2.3 million hectares in most important natural forest ecosystems. With the above results, Vietnam is highly appreciated by the international community in the work of forest management, protection, development and nature conservation, biodiversity.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/cuc-lam-nghiep-va-kiem-lam-can-som-cap-so-xanh-cho-bau-vat-cua-thien-nhien-5055299.html