Forests are covering 46.01% of Khanh Hoa's land. Khanh Hoa Forestry Service and localities are focusing on many measures to increase the forest cover...
Forests are covering 46.01% of Khanh Hoa’s land. Khanh Hoa Forestry Service and localities are focusing on many measures to increase the forest cover to at least 47.5% by 2020 pursuant to the Resolution of Khanh Hoa Party Committee’s Congress, term 2015 – 2020.
The latest data shows the increase of forest cover in Khanh Hoa, up to 46.01% with the highest figures reported in Khanh Vinh: nearly 78%, Khanh Son: 62%, Van Ninh: over 52% and Cam Lam: over 47.7%. The forest cover in Khanh Hoa is higher than many localities nationwide.
The increase of the forest cover is thanks to the Prime Minister’s natural forest closure order as well as the increasing productive forests with acacia trees planted on many steep slopes. Afforestation has also been focused in recent years, says Nguyen Khuong, Head of Khanh Hoa Forestry Division.
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Typhoon Damrey severely damaged natural and planted forests in Van Ninh District in 2017. The district has made great effort in forest protection and afforestation to keep the forest cover at more than 52%. Presently, Van Ninh has more than 24,051ha of natural forests and more than 5,172ha of planted forests. Do Lam Dien, Chief of Van Ninh Forest Protection Unit says the forest protection challenge in 2018 was due to the increased demand for timber to rebuild aquaculture cages and farms destroyed by the Typhoon Damrey. The Forest Protection Unit boosted patrols and set up forest protection stations in many high-risk places. In 2018, the district handled 29 cases of illegal exploitation and transportation of forest products.
The forest cover in Ninh Hoa Town was reported to account for 43.47% in 2018 thanks to local effort to boost forest management; fire prevention and control; together with reforestation and forest care. 73 cases of forestry law violations were handled. The town saw the cultivation of 622ha of concentrated forests, exceeding 107% of the 2018’s plan; and dispersal planting of 127,050 trees, exceeding 5.86% of the plan, according to Dang Cuu, Head of Ninh Hoa Town Economics Office.
The mountainous districts of Khanh Vinh and Khanh Son have focused on the natural forest management and protection. The forest cover has increased thanks to the increase in productive forests. In Khanh Vinh District alone, in recent 5 years, the forest cultivation programs have developed more than 5,000ha of forests of all kinds. The local authorities have focused on the forest development and protection and thus boosting propaganda to raise public awareness of forest protection and restoration.
In 2018, 309 cases of violation of forestry regulations together with a wildfire destroying a preventive forest were reported by Khanh Hoa foresters. 300ha of preventive forests and nearly 1,100ha of productive forests were cultivated.
The resolution of Khanh Hoa Party Committee’s Congress, term 2015 – 2020 includes measures to increase the forest cover to at least 47.5% by 2020. Khanh Hoa Forestry Service has taken many initiatives to increase the forest cover. Nguyen Khuong says the Forest Protection Division has directed Forest Protection units to take tough measures to deal with the encroachment of forest land, burning of forests for agriculture, especially in mountainous districts; and deforestation; together with actions with respect to forest fire prevention and control. Another important measure is to promote the care and regeneration of forests and timely implement policies to get local residents to engage in developing productive forests.
Bich La
Translated by N.T
