In 2015 alone, the total area under compensatory afforestation is 22,300 hectares, 8,800 hectares of which has been converted for hydropower projects, while other projects account for 13,500 hectares. Up to now, 23 of 50 localities have already planted 8,089 hectares of compensatory forests, equivalent to 36% of the year’s plan – 5,709 hectares replacing the converted land for hydropower projects and 2,380 hectares covering the converted land for other functions.
Alongside some localities achieving good results in compensatory afforestation, such as Tuyen Quang, Kon Tum and Thanh Hoa, there remain several localities with a vast area of land for compensatory afforestation, but recording poor outcomes.
The delay in compensatory afforestation has been attributed to a lack of drastic action from both local authorities and project owners. Many projects have already converted the use of forest land for a decade but have yet to fulfill their obligations to compensatory afforestation.
To deal with the above mentioned reality, the government has asked for joint efforts among ministries, sectors and localities to complete the year’s compensatory afforestation plan towards the forest cover converted to land for the hydropower projects that have already been put into operation, and boost compensatory afforestation for other projects in line with the approved schedules. The localities planning compensatory afforestation projects this year must make immediate preparations to be ready for plantation in the 2015 autumn-winter crop.
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai recently urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade to instruct Electricity of Vietnam to review the situation of compensatory afforestation in its subsidiaries; resolutely revoke licenses and stop operation of the projects not following regulations; and build roadmaps for compensatory afforestation, using capital production, for the projects which have been completed, but have yet to plant compensatory forests.
Hai stressed the need to finalise compensatory afforestation in 2015 towards hydropower projects, while implementing and completing the task in 2016 for the projects on diverted forest land for other non-hydropower purposes.
Regarding the projects already paying money to the provincial fund for forest protection and development, the deputy PM insisted on removing obstacles for immediate implementation of compensatory afforestation.
There is a strong hope that with the instruction of the government, active implementation of ministries, sectors and localities and strict observance of project owners, Vietnam will achieve its compensatory afforestation plan set for the year, contributing to effective forest protection and development.
