Planting trees at the Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan (Photo: VNA) Ninh Thuan (VNA) - The south central province of Ninh Thuan is working towards the goalof a forest coverage rate of 47 percent this year.
In 2019, the forestcoverage in Ninh Thuan stood at 45.59 percent. At present, the province hasmore than 155,400 ha of forest and around 48,790 ha of land designated forforest planting.
The local forestrysector said there are large areas of barren land and hills in the province,particularly in coastal areas in Thuan Bac, Ninh Hai, Ninh Phuoc and Thuan Namdistricts, which face the threat of desertification.
This year theprovince plans to plant 505 ha of protective and special-use forests and 320 haof replacement forest besides 561,800 scattered trees.
Duong Dinh Son,deputy director in charge of the provincial forest ranger bureau said aprolonged drought since early this year has caused difficulties to forestationand forest care. Forestry businesses have got young trees and necessary materialsas well as land conditions ready in order to immediately start tree plantingwhen weather conditions permit.
Forest ownerbusinesses have been mobilizing local communities to engage in forestprotection and development projects, while intensifying coordination withrelevant forces in preventing and curbing the illegal exploitation and tradingof forest products.
The provincialauthority has promoted the model of creating livelihoods for local residents inconnection with forest protection through signing contracts with residents tocare for local forests, developing eco-tourism in forest areas, and guidingfarmers in growing fruit trees or raising animals in forests.
Thanks to theconcerted measures, forest destruction for farming or forest fire in Ninh Thuanhas been reduced remarkably./.
VNA
