This afternoon, May 5, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang chaired a national online conference on forest management, protection and forest fire prevention and fighting (QLBVR and PCCCR) in 2023 and the first 4 months of 2024. Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ha Sy Dong attended the conference at the Quang Tri bridge.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ha Sy Dong attended the conference at the Quang Tri bridge - Photo: LA

According to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2023, 60/60 provinces and cities with forests announced the forest status with a total forest area of ​​14,860,309 hectares nationwide. Of which, natural forests are 10,129,751 hectares, planted forests are 4,730,557 hectares. The national forest coverage rate reached 42.02%.

In 2023 and the first 4 months of 2024, 3,977 cases of deforestation were detected with an affected forest area of ​​1,230 hectares. Mainly in the provinces of the Central Highlands, the Northern mountainous region and the North Central region. The reasons are due to the need to take land for agricultural production, shifting cultivation practices, the need to use wood for house construction... of the people. The deforested forest area is mainly the forest area that has not been allocated or leased by the State and is being managed by the People's Committee at the commune level, some areas are managed by agricultural and forestry companies and protective forest management boards.

Regarding forest fire prevention and control, in 2023 and the first 4 months of 2024, there were 399 forest fires nationwide with 1,172.5 hectares of forest affected. Notably, in the first 4 months of 2024 alone, there were 89 forest fires, an increase of 25% over the same period in 2023.

The main cause is the El Nino phenomenon, the temperature and number of hot days are higher than the average of many years, combined with the carelessness of people in slash-and-burn farming, using fire in the forest, near the forest leading to many forest fires.

Forest fires have greatly affected forest management and protection work, causing economic losses and affecting the ecological environment. Notably, in the first 4 months of 2024, 3 people working on forest fire fighting tasks died.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang concluded the conference - Photo: LA

In Quang Tri, the total forest area of ​​the province in 2023 is more than 248,189 hectares, of which natural forest is 126,694 hectares and planted forest is 121,495 hectares. The forest coverage rate is 49.41%. In 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the province detected and recorded 134 violations; handled 110 administrative violations with a fine of nearly 1.4 billion VND; prosecuted 10 criminal cases.

Regarding forest fire prevention and control, in 2023 and the first 4 months of 2024, the province had 38 forest fires with a damaged area of ​​nearly 44 hectares, estimated at VND 2.09 billion. The cause and perpetrator of the fires have not been determined.

At the conference, delegates recommended that the Government allocate urgent funding in 2024 for forest fire prevention and control work for localities at high risk of forest fires and key areas of forest fires.

Consider issuing a decree on a number of investment policies in forestry, including provisions on support for forest fire fighting forces. Supplement funding from the sustainable forestry development program to meet the practical needs of local forest management and protection work...

Concluding the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang requested that localities absolutely must not be negligent or subjective in the work of forest fire prevention and control and fire prevention.

Emphasize that the main responsibility for forest fire prevention and control work belongs to the localities, associated with the responsibility of the leaders. Request localities to urgently and proactively review the forest fire prevention and control plan with the motto "4 on-site" to ensure it is close and correct to the actual situation.

Strengthen the application of technology in forest management and fire prevention and control such as flycam, remote sensing images... In addition to the support of the Government, localities are requested to allocate appropriate resources for forest management and fire prevention and control; have appropriate remuneration for forest rangers and forest protection forces. At the same time, localities should be reminded about the issue of spontaneous migration and cultivation in areas bordering forests.

Le An