Nghe An delegates propose that the National Assembly continue to allocate production forests to the people.

(Baonghean.vn) - Deputy Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies Nguyen Thanh Hien proposed that the National Assembly maintain the regulation on allocating production forests as natural forests to residential communities in the Law on Forest Protection and Development (amended).

» It is necessary to develop and promulgate policy mechanisms for sharing benefits from forests.

Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation Nguyen Thanh Hien. Photo courtesy

Reporter:There are major changes in the content of the draft Law on Forest Protection and Development (amended), especially the scope of regulation of the Draft Law is all social behaviors in the forestry sector based on the principle of chain management. What is your opinion on this issue?

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien:First of all, I agree with the Report on explanation and acceptance of the revision of the draft Law on Forest Protection and Development (amended) and the draft law project.

However, given the changes in the content of the draft Law, I think it is appropriate to name it “Forestry Law”, which is both concise and fully covers the contents of the Law; clearly demonstrating the goal and viewpoint of amending the Law on Forest Protection and Development, which is to innovate the management of forestry activities according to the value chain.

Furthermore, the name of the Forestry Law also creates consistency and connection with documents regulating the orientation of the Forestry Development Strategy, Forestry Development Planning and the name of the current forestry management agency organization system.

Reporter:What is your opinion on the issue of forest allocation and leasing of production forests that are natural forests?

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien:I agree with the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the proposal that the National Assembly continue to maintain the regulation on allocating production forests as natural forests to residential communities (Point a, Clause 3, Article 21).

In reality, people have not really been able to live with the contract to protect natural forests.

For example, in Nghe An, there are districts where natural forests account for 80 - 86% of the natural area such as Con Cuong, Que Phong, and communes where natural forests account for up to 95%, so planning cultivated land for these areas is very difficult, and some places have a shortage of agricultural land.

Citronella forest, Tuong Duong, Nghe An. Photo courtesy

I also propose to clarify the concept of “natural forest” in Article 2 and the content of “forest ownership” in Article 7. According to the provisions of Article 7, all natural forests are owned by the State.

However, in reality, there are many areas of natural forest where forest owners use financial resources not from the State budget to protect and restore. Therefore, it is recommended that the National Assembly clarify this issue.

Reporter:What about the principles of forest allocation, forest leasing, forest use conversion and forest recovery? What do you suggest?

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien:The Draft Law stipulates: "Do not change the purpose of using natural forests to other purposes except for important national projects; projects serving national defense and security purposes; other urgent projects approved by the Government" is too rigid and restrictive in the implementation process.

Because in reality, there are many areas of natural forests with low reserves, low biodiversity and no economic value that need to be renovated or converted to other more effective purposes (but not the purpose as stipulated in the draft Law).

Therefore, I propose that the Drafting Committee study in the direction of only regulating "Not changing the purpose of using natural forests is"r"Converting protective forests and special-use forests to other purposes..." to suit reality.

On the other hand, Clause 4, Article 19 stipulates: “Forest owners assigned natural forests and planted forests invested in by the State are not allowed to lease those forest areas to other organizations or individuals”. This provision is correct and appropriate in terms of overall State management.

However, in reality, areas with potential for tourism and service exploitation in National Parks and Nature Reserves often associate natural landscapes with forests.

In the condition that the State does not have enough financial capacity to exploit tourism potential, socialization is extremely necessary.

The above regulations will cause certain difficulties for forest owners to exploit tourism services, while ignoring huge resources for socio-economic development.

Therefore, I also suggest that the Drafting Committee should consider having open regulations for cases where forest owners lease out forest areas for the purpose of exploiting tourism potential.

Reporter:What do you think about prohibited acts?

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien:I propose to add another prohibited act: "Taking advantage of one's position and power to cover up and assist in illegal exploitation of forests and hunting of wild animals for illegal trading."

Reality shows that many cases of logging, hunting and trading of wild animals have the support and cover-up of people in power and the indifference of authorities.

Therefore, the law needs to specifically regulate this behavior in Article 9 to contribute to improving the effectiveness of forest protection and development.

Reporter:Thank you!

Reporter - Contributor Group