Nghe An strengthens effective forest fire prevention solutions

(Baonghean) - According to statistics over the past 10 years, on average, 30 forest fires occur each year in Nghe An province, damaging nearly 90 hectares of forests of all kinds. In 2017 alone, forest fires were contained, with negligible damage.

In addition to the objective cause of favorable weather, it is necessary to mention the active and drastic participation of Party committees and local authorities; and the effective advice of the forest rangers.

Specifically, the Forestry Department has advised on solving the root cause of intentional forest burning with the following solutions:

One is: If the pine forest burns, it is only allowed to replant the pine forest, it is not allowed to collect the wood from the forest fire to sell.

Second: If the planted forest is poor, sparse, and has low economic and environmental efficiency, the forest owner will prepare a dossier to propose forest liquidation, to zone off the area and convert to new forest planting. If the forest owner needs to process the vegetation for different purposes such as: taking grassland, growing trees for sale, the forest owner will prepare a dossier to submit to the Commune People's Committee for consideration, but must ensure absolute safety in forest fire prevention and fighting.

Checking forest fire fighting equipment at Dien Chau Forest Protection Department. Photo: Van Truong

Third: Identify key forest areas and key communes to focus on directing, holding meetings with people, propagating and mobilizing, developing on-site plans 4, inspecting, urging, and strictly managing the use of fire in forests and forest edges. Early detection of potential conflicts among people for handling; assigning specific responsibilities to commune leaders, forest owners, and local forest rangers to closely follow the grassroots areas to advise on good forest fire prevention and fighting.

The final solution is to assign responsibility to the heads of Party committees at all levels, local authorities, forest rangers, and forest owners in accordance with Directive No. 13-CT/TW dated January 12, 2017 of the Central Party Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in forest management, protection, and development; Directive No. 03-CT/TU dated April 11, 2016 of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership in forest management and protection.

Thus, forest protection in general and forest fire prevention and fighting in particular are identified as the main responsibility of forest owners; the leadership and management role of Party committees at all levels, local authorities, and the Forest Ranger force plays a core advisory role.

The innovation and improvement of the effectiveness of State management on forest fire prevention and fighting; the synchronous implementation of forest fire prevention and fighting solutions, associated with the personal responsibility of the heads of local units, forest owners, and Forest Protection Departments have contributed to greening the forests./.

Hoang Quoc Viet