There will be more resources to invest in, protect and develop forests.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Director of Department of Agriculture and Environment.

- Could you tell us why it is necessary to establish investment support norms from the State budget for forestry development according to Decree No. 58, while the province is implementing Resolution No. 37/2024/NQ-HDND of the Provincial People's Council stipulating a number of specific policies to encourage sustainable forestry development in Quang Ninh province (replacing Resolution No. 337)?

+ Resolution No. 37/2024/NQ-HDND takes effect from July 20, 2024 with many new breakthroughs, aiming to encourage organizations, households and individuals in the province to participate in planting large timber forests. In particular, the subjects and scope of planting large timber forests, native trees and forest products, medicinal plants under the forest canopy have been expanded to ensure proper land use, in accordance with regulations on forest development and sustainable forestry development. The Resolution applies to localities throughout the province.

Through review, the need to participate in the policy of supporting large timber plantation of forest owners in localities with a total registered area in the period of 2024-2026 is about 6,360 hectares, of which households and individuals are 4,589 hectares, organizations and enterprises are 1,771 hectares. The policy of planting large timber forests has been widely responded to by people across the province, expanding the scope of application of the policy in localities across the province is suitable for the needs and aspirations of forest owners as well as the conditions for developing large timber forests.

However, Resolution No. 37 will expire after December 31, 2026. Therefore, to ensure that there is a full legal basis for organizing the implementation of forestry investment policies in the province from 2026 onwards according to the policies issued by the Government in Decree No. 58 and to ensure resources for forest development and protection without delay, it is very necessary for Quang Ninh to soon issue a resolution regulating investment levels, investment support, and forest protection contract levels in the province.

- What are the new points in the new Resolution regulating the investment support level from the State budget for forestry development according to Decree No. 58, sir?

+ Decree No. 58/2024/ND-CP is a good sign for the forestry sector, this is a new point, demonstrating the attention of the Party and State to forest management and protection in the current difficult context. Based on the actual situation of the province, the investment level and investment support for the contents in the draft resolution are equal to the investment level and investment support prescribed in Decree No. 58. The purpose is to support organizations, households, individuals, communities, and forest owners to strengthen forest management and protection, improve forest quality, and restore forest areas damaged by storm No. 3 in 2024; ensuring consistency with the goals and solutions stated in Resolution No. 19-NQ/TU (dated November 28, 2019) of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on sustainable forestry development in Quang Ninh province to 2025, with a vision to 2030.

Accordingly, the average forest protection support level and forest protection contract is increased to 500,000 VND/ha/year (an increase of 200,000 VND/ha/year compared to the support level in the current policy). For communes in region II and region III, the support level is 1.2 times; for coastal areas, it is 1.5 times the average level. The support level for livelihood development and life improvement for communities in buffer zones of special-use forests is increased from 40 million VND to 50 million VND/community/year. The development norm is calculated according to the current technical and economic norms. The authority to approve technical design documents for forestry works is assigned to investors instead of investment management agencies...

Thus, while Resolution No. 37/2024/NQ-HDND focuses mainly on policies to support large-scale timber plantations and production under forest canopy, the new resolution will have a more comprehensive coverage. Including, adding investment levels for planting special-use and protective forests; planting production forests and developing non-timber forest products; supporting forestry seedling production facilities; funding for protecting special-use forests, protective forests, and natural forests during forest closures; funding support for developing sustainable forest management plans and granting sustainable forest management certificates; support for scattered tree planting; forest protection contract levels, etc.

Mong Cai City authorities inspect and protect the protective forest in Trang Vinh reservoir area. Photo: Huu Viet

In addition to supporting forest planting and development, there are also additional resources for management and protection for those working in forest protection. Thereby, it will contribute to increasing income for people, especially those living near forests and making a living from forestry. In addition, it will encourage people and communities to actively participate in forest protection.

The draft resolution also clearly stipulates that in the same locality and at the same time, if there are different levels of incentives and support, the policy beneficiaries can choose to apply the most beneficial incentive and support level. Organizations, groups of households, households and individuals can completely choose to apply Resolution No. 37 during its effective period, or the new resolution if they find which option is most beneficial.

During the process of drafting the resolution, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has collected opinions from departments, branches, local People's Committees, relevant organizations and individuals to complete and send to the Department of Justice for appraisal. Based on the opinions of the units and receiving the opinions of the Department of Justice, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will complete the content of the draft resolution, report to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration, and submit to the Provincial People's Council to ensure compliance with the regulations at the nearest session.

Thank you very much!

Queen Russia

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/se-co-them-nguon-luc-de-dau-tu-bao-ve-va-phat-trien-rung-3358593.html