Protecting forests for sustainable development

In the 2020 - 2025 term, forest management, protection and development in Khanh Hoa Province has continued to achieve satisfactory results, with the forest coverage rate by 2025 exceeding set target. With the goal of achieving a forest coverage rate of 47% by 2030, the province aims to reach a forest coverage rate of 47%, underscoring the vital role forests play in economic growth, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. Increasing forests not only serve as a “green lung” but also as a source of sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Efforts to increase coverage

With the goal of sustainable development, in recent years, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces (before the merger) have focused on forest management, protection and development to protect the environment and adapt to climate change. According to the forest status data in 2024 released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the forest cover rate reached nearly 46% in Khanh Hoa Province and 49% in Ninh Thuan Province, both higher than the national average (42.03%).

A corner of the forest on Khanh Le - Lam Dong Pass.

The targets of the Party Congress resolutions of Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces for the 2020-2025 term show that the forest coverage rate target of each province has been met or exceeded at the beginning of the term. According to the latest data by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, after the merger of Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces, the province has 400,114.84 hectares of forest, including 325,131.24 hectares of natural forest and 74,983.6 hectares of planted one; the province's forest coverage rate reaches 46.83%, up by 0.21% compared to the end of 2024.

According to Nguyen Danh, Head of the Forestry Division, the achievements are thanks to the great efforts in forest management, protection and development. Local authorities and forest owners have proactively carried out forest protection measures, including fire prevention and control and conducted regular patrols to prevent illegal logging.

The application of technologies such as GIS and satellite imagery in forest monitoring and fire warning has been actively promoted. Local authorities, forest owners, and commune-level People's Committees have established specific regulations to coordinate forest protection efforts, particularly in border areas.

Besides forest protection, the province has also focused on forest development. In the period of 2021 - 2025, the whole province has planted 3,336.5 hectares of new protective and special-use forests and 4,264.76 hectares of production forests together with dispersal planting of trees. Efforts to promote forest regeneration have supported natural forest recovery, enhanced biodiversity, and increased overall forest cover.

Strengthening forest management, protection and development

To adapt to global climate change and pursue sustainable development, the province is committed to the strict management, responsible exploitation, and efficient use of natural resources. Coordinated mechanisms and policies are implemented for sustainable resource management and environmental protection, with forest resources as a key focus.

Forest management, protection, and development are identified as top priorities in the province’s strategy for climate resilience and long-term sustainability. The province aims to have a forest coverage rate of 47% by 2030. To achieve this goal, local authorities and forest owners will regularly disseminate forestry policies and laws, and step up efforts to preserve forests and promote forest development.

According to Nguyen Danh, in the coming time, the forest rangers will proactively conduct joint patrols in deep forest areas at risk of encroachment to enhance forest protection efficiency; proactively prevent and fight wildfires following the “4 on-site” approach, and apply technologies such as remote sensing, GIS, and drones to detect deforestation and fires early. Efforts will also focus on raising public awareness and mobilizing community participation in forest protection.

H.L

Translated by N.T