Inter-sectoral coordination to protect biodiversity in association with the goal of sustainable forestry development

(Chinhphu.vn) - Inter-sectoral coordination is an essential solution, creating a flexible operating mechanism between law enforcement forces, state management agencies and social organizations, contributing to maintaining achievements in forest protection, nature conservation and biodiversity.

The Department of Environmental Crime Prevention and Control (C05), the Department of Forestry and Forestry, and the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity signed a coordination plan in preventing and combating crimes and violations of laws on biodiversity - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

According to the Forest Status Report 2024, Vietnam currently has more than 14.8 million hectares of forest, with a coverage rate of 42.03%, with 178 nature reserves, including 35 national parks. Vietnam is considered one of the 10 richest biodiversity centers in the world , with thousands of endemic species.

However, forest area and quality are still under pressure. Deforestation, wildlife trafficking, illegal logging and natural habitat degradation remain complex. Violations tend to be sophisticated and organized, seriously affecting the ecosystem, environmental security and Vietnam's international reputation in implementing global commitments on conservation and emission reduction.

On the afternoon of November 3 in Hanoi, the Department of Environmental Crime Prevention and Control (C05) - Ministry of Public Security , the Department of Forestry and Forestry, and the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity - Ministry of Agriculture and Environment signed a Coordination Plan in preventing and combating crimes and violations of laws on biodiversity for the period 2025-2030.

According to the plan, the three agencies will coordinate to synchronously implement many key contents:

Develop and perfect policies and laws on biodiversity conservation, management and handling of violations; direct local environmental police and forest rangers to closely coordinate in preventing, detecting and handling violations.

Combat, prevent, and handle crimes related to the captivity, transportation, and trade of wild, endangered, precious, and rare animals; manage and conserve biological resources in national parks and reserves.

Strengthen law enforcement capacity through training, coaching, development of professional guidance documents, and provision of equipment and resources to specialized forces.

Strengthen communication and community education to raise awareness of nature protection, prevention of illegal wildlife trade, and management of invasive alien species.

Develop a mechanism for sharing data and information among stakeholders to serve state management, monitoring and tracing the origin of forest products and wildlife.

The plan will be implemented over 5 years (2025–2030), with regular meetings every 6 months and annually to evaluate results and make timely adjustments in accordance with reality.

Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection - Photo: VGP/Do Huong

Substantive coordination – the foundation for sustainable forestry

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Tran Quang Bao, Director of the Department of Forestry and Forestry, emphasized: "This is the first step for comprehensive and close cooperation between agencies in nature conservation work. The Department of Forestry and Forestry will direct the national Forestry system to closely coordinate with the police force and related units to seriously, synchronously and effectively implement the plan, quickly putting it into practice."

Colonel Than Van Hai, Director of the Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Police Department, affirmed: "The coordination plan ensures the principle of clear people, clear work, clear responsibilities, in accordance with the functions and tasks of each sector. The work of preventing and combating violations of biodiversity must be carried out proactively, early, from the grassroots, ensuring professional - legal - effective factors. All violations must be handled strictly, in accordance with regulations, with no forbidden areas and no exceptions ."

The close coordination between the Environmental Police, Forest Rangers, and nature conservation units not only aims to prevent acts of resource encroachment but also contributes to the implementation of the goals of the Sustainable Forestry Development Target Program 2021-2025, which emphasizes: Maintaining a stable forest cover rate of about 42-43%; Effectively managing and conserving natural forest ecosystems, biodiversity and rare genetic resources; Strengthening the capacity of state management and law enforcement on forestry, preventing crimes in this field; Developing the forest economy associated with sustainable livelihoods of people, especially ethnic minorities in mountainous areas.

One of the highlights of the Coordination Plan is to focus on propaganda and legal education, helping the community, businesses and local authorities better understand the role and value of biodiversity and sustainable forestry. Communication activities will be deployed in a variety of ways, from training for local officials to campaigns to raise public awareness about wildlife protection and not consuming products of illegal origin from the forest.

Along with that, the agencies will build a shared database system to serve the work of monitoring and tracing origins, while supporting the investigation and quick handling of violations.

With the synchronous participation of functional agencies, the business community and the whole society, the goal of protecting forests, preserving biodiversity and developing a green economy will gradually be realized - for a green, safe and prosperous Vietnam.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/phoi-hop-lien-nganh-bao-ve-da-dang-bi-hoc-gan-voi-muc-tieu-phat-trien-lam-nghiep-ben-vung-102251104111111959.htm