Focus on creating livelihoods and increasing income for people living in and near forests.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Thu Huyen

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the result of forestry land area after review and adjustment is 1,170,251.99 ha, of which, protective forest: 347,316.42 ha; special-use forest: 172,061.18 ha; production forest: 651,874.39 ha.

The review and adjustment of the planning of 3 types of forests has been carried out based on the regulations and guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Provincial People's Committee. The area of ​​3 types of forests after review ensures stability and sustainability, meeting the requirements for production land for people living in and near the forest.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Nghia Hieu speaks. Photo: Thu Huyen

The results of the review and adjustment of the planning of three types of forests in the province have been agreed upon by state forest owners, local authorities of communes, forest rangers, People's Committees of districts, and the Appraisal Council of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At the meeting, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development proposed that for production forest areas converted from protective forests and special-use forests, the Provincial People's Committee should soon direct all levels of branches, district People's Committees, and forest owners to soon complete procedures for handing over and receiving to people for management and production.

Prioritize the protection and construction of upstream protective forests, around dams and lakes. Propose that the Provincial People's Committee not approve the conversion of upstream protective forests and buffer zones of special-use forests. Have priority policies for the protection and restoration of upstream protective forests in the districts of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Que Phong, and Quy Chau.

As for special-use forests, the current status and review results are suitable, stable in scale, area and sustainable, so it is recommended not to plan further expansion in the near future.

Deputy Director of Department of Natural Resources and Environment reports on the results of land recovery and allocation for agriculture and forestry. Photo: Thu Huyen

Also this morning, delegates listened to the work of reclaiming and handing over agricultural and forestry land in the province. Up to now, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has completed the procedures to submit to the Provincial People's Committee to issue decisions on reclaiming land to hand over to the People's Committees of districts and towns for management and use of 11 agricultural and forestry companies in the area with a total area of ​​over 10,155 hectares. A plan has been developed for this area to be handed over to the People's Committees of districts and towns to organize land allocation for people to use.

The remaining land area, currently having assets on the land are crops used by Song Hieu Agricultural and Forestry One Member Co., Ltd. (about 910.1 ha) and a part of land of Nghe An Coffee and Rubber Development Investment Company (about 150 ha, currently the communes have not agreed). After the company finishes harvesting the crops on the land, it will be reclaimed according to regulations.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy concluded the meeting, emphasizing the importance of creating livelihoods and increasing income for people in reviewing the planning of three types of forests and allocating agricultural and forestry land. Photo: Thu Huyen

After listening to the opinions of the delegates and concluding the meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy highly appreciated the review and adjustment of the planning of 3 types of forests by the departments, branches and localities. The review has not only done a good job in managing protective forests, headwater forests, protecting forests, but also increased the forest area to improve people's livelihoods and develop the economy.

However, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that Nghe An is currently the province with the largest forest area in the country but has not yet exploited this resource well. To take advantage of protective and special-use forests for production, it is necessary to carefully review. Currently, there are 2 districts Ky Son and Tan Ky that have not been reviewed yet, it is recommended to continue to implement, ensuring the correct process. For each type of land and forest that has been unified in planning for forestry production, it is necessary to plan and direct production to avoid overlap and inadequacies.

An area of ​​forestry land converted for use in Chau Tien commune, Quy Chau district. Photo courtesy

Relevant departments and branches need to complete the submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for appraisal by the end of 2018; try to submit the Resolution to the Provincial People's Council for approval in the first quarter of 2019.

Regarding the recovery and allocation of agricultural and forestry land, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to urge units to complete the conversion to have a basis for land allocation and issuance of land use right certificates to households and individuals from the recovered land fund of agricultural and forestry companies to achieve high results, soon stabilizing people's lives.