Reviving the forests in Ba Chẽ

Following Typhoon No. 3, forest growers in the district were heartbroken by the devastation caused by nature to their livelihoods built up over many years. Developing mechanisms and policies to restore forestry production is one of the urgent issues the district is currently focusing on.

The acacia forests were wiped out after typhoon number 3.

As the unit with the largest area of ​​planted and managed forests in the district, Ba Chẽ Forestry Company Limited suffered heavy losses after the storm, with nearly 2,300 hectares of forest broken or felled, worth nearly 100 billion VND. “The unit is deploying personnel to each forest area to count and compile damage statistics, develop plans for clearing undergrowth; classify forests according to the extent of damage and age to plan for care or replanting. We hope the province will have mechanisms to reduce taxes, extend debt repayment periods, and create conditions for businesses to recover after the severe impact of the storm,” shared Ms. Bui Thi Huong, Director of the Company.

According to Ms. Huong, for coal industry units, the company is proposing a plan to repay the mine timber debt by 2030 (equivalent to one planting and development cycle for acacia wood to meet the standards for mine support and bracing).

Workers of Ba Chẽ Forestry Company Limited are re-erecting the green lim trees that were felled by Typhoon No. 3. Photo: Viet Hoa

According to the district report, the entire district suffered damage to approximately 18,613 hectares of forestry trees, mainly acacia trees aged 2-6 years (13,000 hectares belonging to households, 5,300 hectares belonging to businesses); about 100 hectares of pine trees and 50 hectares of large timber trees (3-year-old green lim trees) were broken or felled; the total damage is estimated at approximately 740 billion VND.

In a proactive spirit to overcome difficulties, most forest-planting households and forestry companies quickly began restoring the forests. For areas of forest under 4 years old where the fallen trees are almost impossible to harvest, forest owners focused on clearing and processing the undergrowth to prepare for the new planting season. For areas of forest over 4 years old, where the timber yield has already formed, harvesting is being carried out in a way that combines harvesting and clearing. Units have identified areas that are favorable for reforestation to prioritize restoration first, while areas with a low rate of fallen trees or trees that have fallen but not been uprooted are reserved for harvesting later.

To support the people in restoring forestry production, the district is actively directing the assessment of the current situation of damaged production forest areas belonging to organizations and individuals; directing nurseries and seedling suppliers to proactively prepare the quantity of forestry seedlings to serve the people in restoring production, without raising prices or manipulating prices, causing difficulties for the people; directing the banking system in the area, especially the District Social Policy Bank, to review and summarize the losses of customers who have borrowed capital, proposing policies to support interest rates, freeze debts, and extend repayment periods; and continuing to provide loans to customers affected by storms, rain, and floods according to regulations, so that they have the conditions to restore production and business.

Forestry households in Nam Son commune are planting acacia seedlings for the new season.

Along with conducting damage assessments, the District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development quickly processed administrative procedures and forwarded them to communes to assist people in accessing and receiving government support according to Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP "On mechanisms and policies to support agricultural production to restore production in areas damaged by natural disasters and epidemics". Mr. Vi Thanh Vinh, Head of the District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: People are considering measures to change planting seasons and shift the crop structure, such as intercropping short-term crops under the low forest canopy, to generate additional income while waiting for the acacia forest to be ready for harvest.

Despite remaining concerns, with the efforts of local households and forestry businesses, and the support of various sectors and levels in implementing supportive policies, the forests in the district will soon recover and become green again, contributing to the economic development and stable livelihoods of forest planters.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/hoi-sinh-nhung-canh-rung-sau-bao-3321634.html