Protecting and developing sustainable forests associated with people's livelihoods

(Baonghean) -In 2017, the FCPF2 Project Management Board of Nghe An province coordinated with all levels, sectors and localities to operate quite effectively, which was a premise for the Project to Support the Readiness Preparation for REDD+ Implementation in Vietnam - Phase 2.

The general objective of the project is to continue to contribute to the overall goal of the National Action Program on REDD+, which is "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through efforts to limit deforestation and forest degradation, increasing the capacity of forests to absorb greenhouse gases, sustainably managing forest resources, conserving biodiversity, contributing to the success of the National Strategy on Climate Change" and realizing the goal of hunger eradication and poverty reduction towards sustainable development.

Forest rangers patrolling the forest in Con Cuong. Photo: Van Truong

The project has 4 components, including: Component 1 "Research, analysis and capacity building for effective REDD+ implementation at the central and provincial levels". Component 2 "Developing policies and technical support for reforming State Forestry Companies (SFCs), Protection Forest Management Boards towards providing REDD+ services; Attracting the private sector to participate and support the enhancement of forest law enforcement, forest governance and forest product trade (FLEGT)". Component 3 "Supporting the development of strategic environmental and social assessments (SESA), national and regional REDD+ strategic options, consultation and participation of stakeholders". Component 4 "Project management, monitoring and evaluation".

Continue to support the improvement of organizational and technical capacity for the Steering Committee, REDD+ Office, a number of relevant agencies at the Central level and 6 provinces under the North Central Region Emission Reduction Program to be ready to implement REDD+ in Vietnam. Summarize, draw lessons and contribute to the development of mechanisms, policies, organizational systems and technical capacity to ensure effective management, coordination and operation of REDD+ programs and projects.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change through efforts to protect, manage, sustainably use and develop forest resources in developing countries with technical and financial support from the international community is a common global issue, attracting the attention of many organizations and individuals. Especially localities with large areas of forest land such as Nghe An province. The project's activities have been quite favorable in the past time. With the attention and support of the Central Project Management Board, the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and related departments, branches and sectors.

However, REDD+ is a new content for Nghe An province, so the work of propaganda, understanding and implementing the content also encountered certain difficulties. The Central Project Management Board assigned the 2017 project plan to the provinces late (August 2017), so there was little time to prepare and implement activities. The project's financial procedures have not been specifically trained, so some payment procedures for activities are not synchronized.

With great efforts, the project still operated quite effectively in 2017. Implementing Official Dispatch No. 1607/QD-BNN-TC dated April 28, 2017 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on approving the implementation plan for 2017, FCPF project - phase 2 (REDD+ project phase 2); although the time for preparation and implementation was short, and the provincial project staff was few (02 people), the FCPF2 Project Management Board of Nghe An province carried out activities such as: Completing the propaganda work on the REDD+ Action Plan (PRAP) of Nghe An province associated with forest protection and development in 8 districts: Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Yen Thanh, Quy Hop, Quy Chau and Que Phong; the average number of participants was 53 people/session.

Completed 1 technical workshop on REDD+ dissemination and consultation on non-forestry solutions related to the Emission Reduction Program. Completed TOT training course on Forest Monitoring Techniques using Tablets at the Forest Protection Department and 2 extension courses in Quy Chau and Tuong Duong districts.

Watering seedlings at Do Luong Forestry Company. Photo: Van Truong

Organize a training course on High-yield Large Timber Planting Techniques, Restoration and Rehabilitation of Natural Forests for forest owners in the province's large timber planting planning area. Develop a framework to update the Provincial REDD+ Action Plan (PRAP) according to the revised National REDD+ Action Program under Decision 419/QD-TTg (replacing Decision 799/QD-TTg) on ​​reducing greenhouse gas emissions through limiting deforestation and forest degradation, conserving and enhancing carbon stocks and sustainably managing forests by 2030.

In general, the activities were fully implemented and achieved good results. The number of participants was correct according to the requirements of each project activity. Through the implemented activities, the delegates basically understood REDD+ and related activities in Nghe An province.

In 2018, the project continued to implement the following contents: Widely disseminate information about REDD+ and the Emission Reduction Program to districts and communes in the project area through media such as newspapers, radio, television, reports, conferences, seminars, billboards, posters, etc.;

Continue to improve the capacity of REDD+ implementation for managers at all levels in the forestry sector through seminars, training, etc.; Support the development of mechanisms and policies related to forest protection and development. In particular, pay special attention to the mechanism of sharing benefits from payment for emission reduction services and pay attention to the issue of livelihoods for people living on forestry. Implement plans and activities deployed by the Central Project and the Vietnam REDD+ Office.

With the active participation of all levels, sectors, localities and people, the project will complete its goals. Affirming to the international community that Vietnam has enough capacity to implement REDD+ programs and projects, contributing effectively to the fight against climate change.

Van Truong