Nghe An: Strong changes in forest management thanks to the Forest Allocation Project associated with Forest Land Allocation

This afternoon (November 24), the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to summarize the Project on forest allocation associated with forestry land allocation for the period 2018-2025. Comrades: Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Hoang Quoc Viet - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment; Nguyen Danh Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment co-chaired the conference.

The conference evaluated the results after 6 years of implementing the Forest Allocation Project associated with Forest Land Allocation; pointed out the limitations, shortcomings, difficulties, and obstacles; and consulted on the content of the Forestry Development Project of Nghe An province for the period 2026-2030 and the following years .

Conference scene

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Hoang Quoc Viet opened the conference.

The whole province newly issued and exchanged 18,694 certificates of forestry land use rights.

Head of the Forest Protection Sub-Department Bach Quoc Dung reported on the implementation results of the Project for the period 2018-2025.

Implementing the Project on forest allocation associated with forestry land allocation for the period 2018-2025, up to now, the whole province has allocated 202,049.31 hectares of forest/265,771 hectares, reaching 76.02% of the approved Project target . This is an outstanding result demonstrating the province's high determination .

About 27,339 households and 468 communities in 53 communes have been allocated land and forests, along with the issuance and exchange of 18,694 forestry land use right certificates .

Forest allocation helps households and communities actively coordinate with local authorities in patrolling and protecting forests . People's awareness has been raised, especially in preserving natural forests and limiting illegal exploitation. The number of forestry law violations has decreased sharply from 902 cases (2018) to 462 cases (2024) .

Up to this point, Nghe An has a forest cover rate of 59.01%.

People are more proactive in protecting, caring for and restoring forests with many areas of well-regenerating natural forests . Forest cover in the province has increased from 58.0% in 2018 to 59.01% in 2024 , higher than the national average.

People and communities have had access to support policies such as forest environmental service payments (ERPA), contributing to sustainable poverty reduction.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Danh Hung reported the basic content of the draft Project on forestry development in Nghe An province for the period 2026-2030 and the following years.

For ethnic minorities, forest allocation to communities is also important in preserving and conserving indigenous culture and knowledge, contributing to social stability, security and national defense.

Head of Tuong Duong Forest Ranger Department Nguyen Hai Au shares lessons learned in implementing land and forest allocation to households, individuals and communities.

Leaders of Thong Thu Commune People's Committee shared about the role of local authorities in inter-sectoral coordination to implement the Forest Allocation Project.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Lam - Vice President of Nghe An Wood and Non-Timber Forest Products Processing Association commented on the draft Project for forestry development in Nghe An province for the period 2026-2030 and the following years.

In addition to the achieved results, the delegates also frankly acknowledged that the forest allocation work in the period of 2018 - 2024 still has some shortcomings. Specifically, the progress has not met the requirements , only 76.02% completed; many localities have not been able to implement due to small, fragmented and separate areas. Field boundaries and legal documents still have many errors .   Overlapping; some cases of land use right certificates have been bought, sold, transferred, or mortgaged, causing difficulties in processing. There are still more than 170,000 hectares that have not been handed over to forest owners for management .

Focus on completing legal documents and thoroughly handling existing problems in the implementation of the Project.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De concluded the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and Environment; the active participation of local authorities; and the responsible participation of organizations, households, and communities in the implementation of the Project.

To effectively implement land and forest allocation; and at the same time, complete the Sustainable Forestry Development Project for the period 2026-2030, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee assigned relevant Departments, branches, units and localities to focus on completing legal documents and thoroughly handling existing problems. In particular, it is necessary to review the entire area that has not been allocated or granted Forestry Land Use Right Certificates; make annual plans for forest allocation, forest lease, land allocation and land lease according to regulations. Resolutely handle cases of overlap, wrong boundaries, and land use for the wrong purpose. At the same time, propose to amend and supplement inappropriate regulations between the Land Law and the Forestry Law.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested to strengthen post-land allocation management and promote the role of the community. In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to, develop and consolidate forest protection teams and replicate livelihood models under the forest canopy; strictly handle acts of deforestation and encroachment on forest land. Promote the application of digital technology such as remote sensing, forest change database, fire warning system to improve the effectiveness of forest resource monitoring.

In addition, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also noted that relevant sectors, localities and units need to closely follow the policy of sustainable development, climate change adaptation and the goals of Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and developing Nghe An province to 2030, with a vision to 2045 ; prioritize improving the quality of natural forests ; expand the area of ​​forests with Sustainable Forest Management Certificates ; develop large timber plantations and restructure the wood processing industry towards high added value... to effectively build and implement the Forestry Development Project for the period 2026-2030.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that sustainable forestry development is the responsibility of protecting the environment, preserving biodiversity and maintaining long-term livelihoods for the people . He requested units to promote the spirit of initiative, creativity and responsibility to complete the set goals.

Towards the celebration of Vietnam Forestry Day (November 28), Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De said that this is an opportunity to pay tribute to generations of forestry officers, rangers, people and communities who silently protect each forest day and night. At the same time, this is also a time for the entire Nghe An Forestry sector to affirm its determination to innovate, modernize, build a sustainable, effective and integrated forestry industry.

Source: Phan Quynh-https://nghean.gov.vn

Source: https://xaydung.nghean.gov.vn/tin-hoat-dong/nghe-an-chuyen-bien-manh-me-trong-cong-tac-quan-ly-rung-nho-de-an-giao-rung-gan-voi-giao-dat-lam-984458