Conclusion of inspection of tree renovation and replacement in Hanoi

On the morning of May 19, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan Dung, Chief Inspector of Hanoi City, announced the Conclusion of the inspection of the renovation and replacement of trees on a number of streets in Hanoi, which has attracted public attention in recent times.

Shortcomings in the implementation process

The conclusion affirmed that, implementing the direction of the Chairman of the City People's Committee, the inspection was carried out seriously, objectively, in accordance with procedures and regulations, focusing on comprehensive inspection from policies to the organization of renovation and replacement of trees on a number of streets in Hanoi, clarifying a number of contents that the press and people are interested in and concerned about.

The conclusion said that, regarding the policy of renovating and replacing urban green trees on Hanoi streets, after the General Planning for the Capital Construction to 2030, with a vision to 2050 was approved by the Government; The City has directed the research, establishment and approval of the Project for Planning the system of green trees, parks, flower gardens, and lakes in the City to 2030, with a vision to 2050; Investment plan for developing the system of green trees, parks, flower gardens, and lakes in the City to 2015. The establishment and approval of the Project for renovating and replacing urban green trees on both sides of Hanoi streets in the period of 2014-2015 is a concrete step to implement the above planning.

Green trees around Hoan Kiem Lake and the center of Hanoi capital.

Regarding the implementation and organization of the work, the Chief Inspector of Hanoi City stated that during the implementation, the Department of Construction and the agencies and units basically followed the licensing procedures, felling, moving, planting replacement trees, and planting additional trees. The felling and moving of trees, the volume of firewood and timber recovered after felling were measured, accepted, stored, managed, and liquidated and auctioned in accordance with regulations. No loss, waste, negativity, corruption, or group interests were discovered during the implementation.

However, the implementation and organization still have some limitations and shortcomings such as:

- The renovation and replacement of urban trees in Hanoi is an important and sensitive matter, directly affecting not only the landscape and environment but also the emotions and daily life of the people. However, when implementing the project, the Department of Construction has not widely solicited the opinions of experts, scientists and the affected communities. The information and propaganda work before and during the renovation and replacement of trees has not been good and extensive, so it has not created a high consensus among local people and the people of the capital.

- In the Project, the titles of some items are general, without clearly stating the criteria for assessment, determination and clarification: The number of trees expected to be cut down or replaced due to the risk of falling, dead trees, rotten trees, trees that obscure the view and affect traffic safety and the safety of people's lives and property out of a total of 2,208 trees; The number of trees expected to be moved to be planted according to the plan, the number of trees expected to be gradually replaced due to trees that are not the right type of urban trees, trees that are prohibited from planting, trees with many insects that affect the environment and urban landscape; the number of trees expected to be newly planted on streets, on median strips... therefore, when synthesizing into the data of 4,500 trees, each content of tree renovation and replacement according to the Plan is not specific, causing public concern about the number of trees that will be "cut down" too much. Meanwhile, the information and propaganda work after the Project was approved was not complete and clear, leading to misunderstandings, frustration, confusion and anxiety among the press and public that the City had a campaign to cut down 6,708 trees; at the same time, causing doubts and concerns that it could lead to loss, waste, negativity, corruption...

- The determination and estimation of the cost of renovating and replacing trees by calculating an average of 10 million VND/tree, including cutting down, moving, planting replacement trees, additional trees, costs of curbing tree stumps and restoring sidewalks for all 6,708 trees, is not strict, unscientific, and not suitable for each implementation content for each type of tree and each street, causing doubts and concerns about the possibility of loss, waste, negativity, corruption...

- Insufficient survey before licensing leads to licensing of some alternative and additional crops that do not meet the conditions for planting.

- The application for licensing is missing some photos of the current status of the trees or the minutes do not have the confirmation of the local ward People's Committee. The above action does not fully comply with the requirements for licensing documents as prescribed. The responsibility belongs to the Department of Management of Technical Infrastructure, Environment and Underground Works of the Department of Construction.

- Some replacement trees, although in the list of urban trees, are not the licensed types.

- The felling, replacement and transportation of trees and timber are mainly carried out at night to avoid traffic jams and ensure compliance with the City's regulations on the operating time of heavy trucks from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day, but the Department of Construction and the implementing units have not proactively informed and propagated, so public opinion misunderstood that it was done secretly and furtively. The responsibility belongs to the Department of Construction and the implementing units.

- The renovation and replacement of trees on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street is also of interest to many people. According to the Project on renovation and replacement of urban trees on both sides of Hanoi streets in the period of 2014-2015, Nguyen Chi Thanh Street is identified as one of the pilot routes for renovation and replacement of trees. With the desire to renovate and replace existing trees and plant them with new trees, to have a beautiful street in the long term; Responding to the City's policy, the Hanoi City Police Department voluntarily mobilized officers and soldiers to contribute support and Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank VPBANK proposed to contribute funds to replant trees on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street with Vang Tam trees in the beginning of the year of At Mui 2015. However, with the desire to renovate and replace the existing trees and plant them with a valuable tree to have a beautiful street, replacing and planting trees without consulting experts, scientists and the people is a hasty and simple act. On the other hand, the information and propaganda work is not good, the people do not agree, even the public and public opinion react strongly and harshly.

Recommendation to review responsibility

The Hanoi Inspectorate recommends that the Hanoi People's Committee direct the review and adjustment of measures and methods, and overcome recent inappropriate actions in the renovation and replacement of trees in the city to ensure strict compliance with regulations, practicality, and effectiveness; and direct the implementation of good information and propaganda work to create social consensus during implementation.

Seriously review the responsibility of the City People's Committee leaders for the lack of inspection and close supervision in directing and implementing the renovation and replacement of trees in the recent past.

Directing the review and disciplinary action according to regulations against units and individuals under the Department of Construction and related units in the work of advising, proposing, and organizing implementation to prevent the limitations and shortcomings as stated in the Conclusion.

For the Department of Construction, review and take disciplinary action against the collective and individual leaders of the Department of Construction and individuals directly involved: the Department of Environmental Infrastructure Management and Underground Works, the Urban Infrastructure Maintenance Board under the Department of Construction are the units directly involved in the limitations and shortcomings mentioned in the Conclusion.

Urgently review the Project on renovating and replacing urban trees, clarify the criteria for assessment, classification, survey, and accurately determine the number of trees expected to be cut down, relocated, replaced, and newly planted, and estimate the cost for each implementation content; reassess the measures and methods of implementation; promptly adjust inappropriate measures and methods; overcome shortcomings and inadequacies in the implementation process. The report recommends that the City People's Committee consider and adjust to ensure that the renovating and replacing urban trees must be carried out in accordance with the planning; must provide timely, complete, public, and transparent information and have a mechanism to collect comments from experts, scientists, and the people, creating social consensus before and during the implementation process.

Strengthen state management of trees in the city in accordance with regulations; research, advise, and propose to the City People's Committee to amend, supplement, or replace inappropriate regulations on management, felling, moving, and planting trees in the city.

Based on the conclusions of the City Inspectorate, absorbing the opinions of experts, scientists and the people, the Department of Construction directed the planting of trees on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street according to the plan, ensuring green trees, contributing to improving the environment and urban landscape. The sponsoring unit will be responsible for the arising costs.

The Department of Finance, in coordination with the Department of Construction, should organize an inventory of wood and firewood in the warehouse; promptly auction wood according to regulations. Review the unit prices of some items related to the renovation and replacement of trees, and report to the City People's Committee for consideration and decision.

The Department of Information and Communications, districts and related organizations and units seriously review their responsibilities for the shortcomings mentioned in the Conclusion. Take measures to strengthen the management of trees according to decentralization and in accordance with the provisions of law.

Regarding information transparency and information disclosure, the City People's Committee is requested to direct the posting of the Inspection Conclusion on the City's Electronic Communication Portal and electronic newspapers, meeting the requirements of information transparency and publicity to the general public.

According to VNA