Resolving difficulties in forestry land allocation

In recent times, agencies and forest owners in Dong Nai province have paid attention to implementing the policy of allocating forestry land to households and individuals in a sustainable manner. This policy has brought about many positive results, contributing to ensuring social security, creating stable livelihoods for people, reducing pressure on natural forests; at the same time contributing to biodiversity conservation and effectively responding to climate change.

However, the process of implementing and using forestry land still has some difficulties and shortcomings that need to be promptly resolved so that the policy can continue to be effective in the coming time.

Contracting policy comes into practice

Director of Tan Phu Protective Forest Management Board Nguyen Le Anh Tuan said: Currently, the unit manages a total area of ​​forest and forestry land of over 18 thousand hectares (more than 17.4 thousand hectares of forested land and more than 634 hectares of non-forested land). The total contracted area is nearly 3.7 thousand hectares/2,455 households, of which contracts have been signed for more than 2.2 thousand hectares/1,766 households (accounting for nearly 75%), while more than 920 hectares/689 households have not signed contracts (accounting for more than 25%).

Officers of Dong Nai Forest Protection Department check areas where forestry land is allocated. Photo: Thanh Nhan

“Over the past years, the forestry land allocation policy has been implemented promptly and in accordance with regulations. Thereby, it has created jobs and increased income for thousands of local workers. Most of the households receiving the contracts have complied with the regulations on forest management, protection and development,” said Mr. Le Anh Tuan.

Similarly, Deputy Director of Xuan Loc Forest Protection Management Board To The Manh said: Xuan Loc Forest Protection Management Board currently manages more than 10 thousand hectares of forest and forestry land. Of which, the unit directly uses and organizes production of nearly 1,843 hectares; cooperates in afforestation of nearly 1,392 hectares and organizes the allocation of nearly 6,795 hectares to households and individuals to organize production through allocation contracts.

In recent times, the unit has strengthened strict management of the contracted area, promptly handled problems arising in the process of land use; promptly and strictly handled violations to create legal deterrence. At the same time, it has created favorable conditions for people receiving contracts, especially poor households and policy families, to invest in production and effective cultivation.

A typical example is the household of Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, residing in Xuan Hoa commune. In 1986, Mr. Dung was assigned 10 hectares by the Xuan Loc Protective Forest Management Board (former Xuan Loc Forestry Farm) to invest in planting large timber trees and perennial trees. His family strictly followed the regulations on receiving contracts according to the protective forest planning. Thanks to knowing how to calculate business, combined with fertile land and favorable weather, his family's production model has achieved high economic efficiency, and the family economy has grown more and more.

Solutions for the next stage

Deputy Head of Dong Nai Forest Protection Department Tran Quoc Hung said: The work of allocating forestry land in Dong Nai province is implemented to manage, protect and develop forests in a sustainable direction. Through the implementation process, the province has gradually improved the management mechanism, expanded the area of ​​land allocated to households, individuals and communities, contributing to improving the efficiency of land use, increasing forest cover and improving the livelihoods of people living near forests. The program also helps people have a more stable livelihood thanks to planting production forests, planting combined forestry - agriculture trees and legally exploiting secondary forest products.

Up to now, the implementation of the forestry land allocation policy has achieved many remarkable results; many areas of bare land and bare hills have been covered with green, especially deforestation and forest fires have significantly decreased; the forest cover rate of the whole province has been maintained at a stable level of 25.28%.

We will build contracting models associated with sustainable livelihoods such as intercropping non-timber forest products, medicinal plants, and indigenous plants with high economic value so that people can directly benefit from the forest, contributing to improving the effectiveness and sustainability of the policy. Mobilize contracted households to participate in ecotourism, resort, and entertainment activities of forest owners to increase income and stabilize life.

Deputy Head of Dong Nai Forest Protection Sub-Department Tran Quoc Hung

“People’s sense of responsibility for forest protection and development has been raised, forming a close relationship between people and forests. Many forest contracting models associated with combined agricultural and forestry production have brought about economic efficiency, contributing to stabilizing life and reducing pressure on natural forests. That proves that the forestry land allocation policy is correct, bringing about practical efficiency in terms of economy, society and environment,” said Mr. Tran Quoc Hung.

However, the policy of forest land allocation still has difficulties and shortcomings such as: Some areas of land allocated were initially production forests, but were later planned as protection forests, causing difficulties for households receiving the land. Some areas of land allocated are far from people's residences but are not allowed to build temporary houses for labor tools, so the contractees face difficulties. Most of the contractees are people with low education levels, so they often violate regulations. Inspection and supervision after the allocation in some forest owners is not regular...

Faced with that situation, Dong Nai province has proposed a number of solutions in the coming time such as: requiring people to sign and properly implement the contract, raising the sense of responsibility in forest protection and development. Continuing to review and complete the forestry land use planning. Consulting superiors to propose reviewing, amending, supplementing or providing detailed instructions on the remaining contents in Decree No. 168/2016/ND-CP to suit the actual conditions in the locality. Strictly handling cases of contract violations. Implementing large timber tree planting to improve productivity, quality and value of forests, aiming to participate in the forest carbon credit market according to the sustainable development mechanism...

An Nhon

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/ban-doc/202510/go-kho-trong-giao-khoan-dat-lam-nghiep-07b2bca/