Under the canopy of Quang Tri forest!

Quang Tri province has a total forest area of 248,189.09 ha (natural forest 126,693.87 ha, planted forest 121,495.22 ha and planned forest development land 29,709.91 ha; The forest cover rate of the whole province remains stable, reaching 49.4% (2023). In recent years, forest development work in Quang Tri province has received attention and investment.

Since 2014, with the support of the General Department of Forestry and the Central Agricultural Extension Center, the Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has successfully implemented many large-scale timber plantation models and converted small-scale timber plantations into large-scale timber plantations.

Up to now, the area of large timber plantations and conversion from small timber to large timber trading in the province has reached about 18,049.6 hectares. In addition, the province has established a chain of FSC certified timber consumption links between forest owners and CoC certified enterprises, signing a commitment to purchase all certified timber output of the Quang Tri FSC Association in general and the Cooperatives in particular at a price 10-12% higher than the price of uncertified timber.

Afforestation work in Quang Tri has always been focused on with the participation of many individuals and organizations.

According to Mr. Ha Sy Dong, Permanent Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, sustainable forest management and international forest certification are inevitable trends in forestry development. Forest certification will contribute to increasing the economic value of forests and stabilizing output for export goods to meet the strict requirements of the international market.

Therefore, Quang Tri has issued documents to direct and implement this task; propagate to all levels, forest owners and people to identify the content of forest certification as a key task in sustainable forestry development. Thanks to that, up to now, the province has 26,135.65 hectares of forest that have achieved FSC certification.

Because forest trees have the function of absorbing and storing carbon, Quang Tri province with its large forest area is a locality with great potential in the field of providing carbon credits from forests.

On the global market, a carbon credit is a certificate representing the right to emit one ton of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or its equivalent. This certificate can be traded, helping individuals and businesses fight climate change with a value of about $5/ton.

The hardships of border guards and rangers in protecting the forest

According to Mr. Dong, Quang Tri province is currently implementing the North Central Region Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). In the 3 years from 2023 to 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will allocate 2.636 million USD to Quang Tri province to pay forest owners, commune-level People's Committees and other organizations assigned by the State to manage natural forests to benefit.

“With a large forest area and high CO₂ absorption capacity, we have great potential to sell carbon credits in the near future. Simply put, if we preserve the forest, we will have money,” said Mr. Dong.

Occasionally, although not large, there are still a few cases of deforestation reported by the press in Quang Tri. Mr. Dong said that the province's viewpoint on handling individuals and organizations that cause deforestation is: There are no forbidden areas.

“Individuals and organizations that allow deforestation to occur; depending on the severity, will be held accountable in accordance with the law. Cases of irresponsibility, failure to promptly and promptly detect violations and violations in forest protection work will be reviewed and handled. Detected cases must be reviewed, clarifying the responsibilities of collectives and individuals that allow deforestation to occur. The head of the agency or unit must take responsibility as the head to his superiors, to the Provincial People's Committee to "restore discipline in forest protection, through strong enough measures and sanctions", Mr. Dong especially emphasized.

- Ảnh 13. — People of Chenh Venh village (Huong Phung commune, Huong Hoa district) introduce handicraft products made from bamboo.

According to Mr. Dong, Quang Tri is focusing all resources to achieve the goal of being among the better provinces in the country by 2030 as set out in the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress. Currently, the land fund for implementing projects is mainly forest and forestry land. Although the province creates all favorable conditions to attract investors to Quang Tri, Quang Tri does not trade the economy for forests.

Specifically, according to Mr. Dong, investment projects are jointly appraised by relevant local departments, in which the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development must advise the Provincial People's Committee and guide investors to adjust the scope of the project to minimize the impact on forests, especially natural forests. Projects that encroach on forests without a policy or without changing the purpose of use must be resolutely handled...