Restoring forest areas affected by natural disasters

Due to the impact of storms No. 5 and No. 10, many areas of production forests that have not yet reached harvest time under the Management Board of Nhu Thanh Protective Forest have collapsed, causing heavy damage to the people. However, the treatment and restoration of this forest area is currently facing difficulties due to the fact that there is almost no income value, while it is difficult to hire workers and the rental price is high...

Staff of the Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board and the Nhu Thanh Forest Ranger Department guided the forest owner of Thanh Ky commune to replant trees that can be restored.

On an area of ​​6 hectares of planted forest (mainly acacia) over 2 years old, Mr. Le Ba Toan in Tan My village, Thanh Ky commune is clearing up fallen trees due to the impact of storms No. 5 and No. 10. He sadly said: "To plant and care for 6 hectares of acacia, I spent tens of millions of dong. Hopefully after 4-5 years of planting, the 6 hectares of acacia will generate an income of about 240 million dong. However, due to the impact of storms No. 5 and No. 10, almost all of my family's acacia area was wiped out, with damage due to falling trees reaching up to 90%".

Although there is still 10% of the less affected acacia area that can be built, cared for, and restored, Mr. Toan will not do it. Because if he builds it, the roots will be uprooted, so it takes a lot of work to take care of it, but the results will not be high. Therefore, he will destroy and replant the entire 6ha of acacia. According to Mr. Toan, hiring workers to clean and maintain the acacia forest costs an average of 350,000 VND/day, but normally it costs 400,000 - 450,000 VND/person/day and there is still no labor. Taking advantage of the favorable weather, his family cleans their forest area themselves.

At this time, Mr. Quach Van Nhi's family in Khe Khoai village, Thuong Ninh commune is actively cleaning up and sanitizing the family's forest area that was broken down by the storm. Mr. Nhi said: "My family currently has 8 hectares of production forest and planted acacia trees nearly 3 years ago. Normally, I plant this acacia area for 5-7 years before harvesting, so the income value is up to 150 million VND/ha. Before the storm, the forest area grew green and green, promising to bring hundreds of millions of VND in profit to my family. However, due to the impact of the storms, my family has 5.7 hectares of broken forest in 2 areas. Currently, the area has an area of ​​3.7 hectares, my family has hired 5-6 workers, paying them over 300,000 VND/day. They have been cleaning up the broken trees and cleaning the forest for 1 week now, with a cleared area of ​​1.5 hectares." According to Mr. Nhi, because the area of ​​broken forest is not old enough, the volume is light, the selling price is very low, so if the entire area of ​​5.7 hectares is harvested, the amount of money earned will be more than 100 million VND, not including labor costs.

The Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board was assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to manage and use more than 14,072 hectares of forest and forestry land in 9 communes (in the districts of Nhu Thanh, Nhu Xuan and old Nong Cong). Due to the impact of storms No. 5 and No. 10, the area of ​​forest broken down in the area under the management unit is 1,541 hectares. Of which, mainly production forests (acacia forests), with an area of ​​1,073.3 hectares. Localities with many heavily affected forest areas such as: Thanh Ky, Xuan Thai, Yen Tho... Immediately after the storm, the board inspected, verified the extent of damage and maintained protection of the scene, preventing the exploitation of natural disasters to collect and illegally cut down forests. At the same time, plans were deployed to handle and restore affected forest areas to forest owners. In that spirit, forest areas with a damage level of over 70% will be harvested to plant new trees; From 30 - 70%, clear up fallen trees and plant additional replacement trees; from 30% or less, trees are tilted so they should be re-erected or cleared of fallen trees and continue to be cared for... During the forest cleaning process, forest owners need to comply with and properly implement forest fire prevention and fighting work according to regulations.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, an officer of the Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board, said: "Currently, forest owners with affected areas are focusing on clearing fallen trees. However, in the process of handling and restoring forest areas affected by natural disasters, there are many difficulties and obstacles because the areas of broken forests are all planted forests under 3 years old, if fully harvested, the value will be very low, while the cost of hiring workers is too high. Moreover, the impact of storms and floods has damaged many traffic routes, making travel and transportation difficult. However, to ensure that the affected forest areas are quickly restored, the board will focus on guiding and urging households with affected forest areas to clear fallen trees, promptly replant and supplement, ensuring that the forest plots meet quality standards. At the same time, it is recommended that authorities at all levels support households that receive contracts according to Decree 09/2025/ND-CP, dated October 10, 2025 of the Government "regulating Regulations on agricultural production support policies to restore production in areas damaged by natural disasters and pests.

Article and photos: Minh Ly

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khoi-phuc-dien-tich-rung-bi-anh-huong-boi-thien-tai-266815.htm