Amending and supplementing a number of tasks and powers of Forest Rangers and specialized forest protection forces
The Government has just issued Decree 159/2024/ND-CP dated December 18, 2024 amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 01/2019/ND-CP dated January 1, 2019 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces.
Decree 159/2024/ND-CP amends and supplements a number of regulations on the duties and powers of Forest Rangers; Central Forest Rangers; Provincial Forest Rangers; District Forest Rangers; Forest Ranger civil servants; Forest Ranger Organizations of special-use forests, protection forests...
Duties and powers of Forest Rangers
Regarding the duties and powers of Forest Rangers, Decree 159/2024/ND-CP is amended and supplemented as follows:
When performing official duties, forest rangers must properly perform their assigned duties, tasks, and powers and be responsible for performing their duties and powers according to the provisions of this Decree and the provisions of law; wear uniforms, rank insignia, forest ranger badge, and name tags according to regulations.
Request relevant agencies, organizations and individuals to provide information, documents, evidence, inspect the scene, and apply measures to prevent administrative violations according to the provisions of law.
Handling violations of forestry laws according to the provisions of law on handling administrative violations and handling violations of criminal laws.
Be equipped with and use weapons, support tools, uniforms, vehicles, and specialized equipment according to the provisions of law.
Perform other assigned tasks and powers as prescribed by law.
Central Forest Ranger Organization, Provincial Forest Ranger
Regarding the Central Forest Protection Department, Decree 159/2024/ND-CP clearly states: The Forest Protection Department is an administrative organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, assisting the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in performing the State management function of forest management, protection, forest fire prevention and fighting, and ensuring compliance with forestry laws.
Regarding the provincial Forest Protection Department, according to 159/2024/ND-CP, the Provincial Forest Protection Department is an administrative organization under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, assisting the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in performing the State management function on
Manage and protect forests, prevent and fight forest fires, ensure compliance with forestry laws and perform other forestry tasks in the province when assigned by competent state agencies.
Amending regulations on the organization of special-use forest and protective forest rangers
Decree 159/2024/ND-CP amends and supplements regulations on the organization of special-use forest and protection forest rangers.
Accordingly, the Special-use Forest Ranger Department and the Protective Forest Ranger Department are administrative organizations under the Forest Protection Department for special-use forests and protective forests managed by the Central Government; and under the Provincial Forest Protection Sub-Department for special-use forests and protective forests managed by localities.
The Special-use Forest Ranger Department and the Protective Forest Ranger Department have a supporting unit called the Forest Ranger Station.
Criteria for establishing Special-use Forest Ranger Station and Protective Forest Ranger Station:
Special-use forest ranger unit was established in the National Park.
Special-use forest ranger units are established in nature reserves and species-habitat conservation areas with an area of 15,000 hectares or more.
Forest protection ranger units are established in headwater protection forests, windbreak protection forests, sandbreak protection forests, wave protection forests, and sea encroachment protection forests with an area of 20,000 hectares or more.
Based on the criteria for establishing special-use forest ranger units and protective forest ranger units and the requirements and tasks of forest management and protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development decides to establish, reorganize and dissolve special-use forest ranger units and protective forest ranger units under the central management; the People's Committees at the provincial level decide to establish, reorganize and dissolve special-use forest ranger units and protective forest ranger units under the local management.
This Decree takes effect from February 2, 2025./.
