Strengthen urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires
On March 5, 2014, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 04/CT-TTg on strengthening urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires.
The Directive clearly stated that, in recent times, the work of forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting has been directed by the Government, ministries, branches, Party committees and local authorities at all levels, and many solutions have been implemented to improve the effectiveness of forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting; forest protection has had positive changes, the number of forest fires in 2013 decreased by 33% compared to the same period in 2012. However, from the beginning of 2014 until now, the northern mountainous provinces have experienced severe cold, causing dry and brittle vegetation, increasing flammable materials; the Central Highlands and Southwestern provinces have experienced prolonged hot and dry weather, posing a very high risk of forest fires; forest fires have occurred in many localities.
In that situation, the Prime Minister requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct the People's Committees at all levels and functional agencies to seriously implement the responsibility of state management on forest fire prevention and fighting, which is the key task of the Steering Committee throughout the dry season; to effectively direct the activities of the Steering Committee on Forest Protection and Development Plan at all levels; to strengthen inspection, supervision and urging of forest protection, forest fire prevention and fighting; to direct inter-sectoral forces (Forest Rangers, Police, Army) to implement coordination regulations in forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting... Along with that, it is necessary to strengthen propaganda, dissemination, education of laws and technical measures to prevent and fight forest fires; to organize and strengthen mass groups and teams to participate in forest fire prevention and fighting in residential communities in villages and hamlets with forests; Strengthen management of slash-and-burn farming activities, specify areas where slash-and-burn farming and other fire-using activities are strictly prohibited in key areas with high risk of forest fires...
The Prime Minister also assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct and inspect localities to seriously and responsibly implement forest fire prevention and fighting work; direct the development and effective implementation of forest fire prevention and fighting plans in the area; direct the Forest Protection Department to regularly monitor developments in forest fire prevention and fighting work... At the same time, coordinate with inter-sectoral forces (Police, Army) to review coordination regulations, organize forces, means and equipment for forest fire prevention and fighting to ensure timely handling of large forest fire situations that may occur. Timely commend and reward organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements in forest fire prevention and fighting work; at the same time, strictly handle acts that cause forest fires according to the law.
Also according to the Directive, the Ministries of Public Security and National Defense shall implement coordination regulations in forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting; direct subordinate units to strengthen close coordination with the Forest Ranger force and authorities at all levels to organize forces, means and equipment for forest fire prevention and fighting to ensure timely handling of forest fire situations; be ready to mobilize forces and means to support localities in forest fire fighting.
Vietnam Television and Voice of Vietnam are responsible for effectively carrying out propaganda and mobilizing people to strictly implement State regulations on forest fire prevention and fighting; promptly providing information on forest fire warnings and forecasts during peak periods. The Ministries of Planning and Investment and Finance shall ensure funding for sectors and localities to organize the implementation of this Directive./.
According to Dangcongdan.vn
