Thua Thien-Hue eyes sustainable forest development

Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – The central province of Thua Thien-Hue plans to grow 13,000 hectares of large-timber forest by 2020, with 40 percent of which received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)’s certificate, ensuring that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.

The province is housing 4,000 hectares of FSC-certificated forest, over 950 hectares of which are owned by 241 local households, and more than 3,000 hectares by state-owned Tien Phong Forestry One Member Limited Company.

It is targeting to plant some 2,000 hectares of large-timber forest granted the forest management certification.

Notably, the provincial Forest Management Department in collaboration with the Vietnam Administration of Forestry has carried out the cultivation of large-timber forest on an area of 55 hectares, drawing the participation of 34 households in three disadvantaged communes of Hong Ha and Huong Nguyen (A Luoi district), and Hong Tien (Huong Tra town), two mountainous communes of Binh Thanh and Binh Dien (Huong Tra town), and Huong Ho ward (Huong Tra town).

According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Phuong, enhancing the planting of large-timber forest is in line with the nation’s socio-economic development in the context of global integration.

It creates a boost to processing sector and exports while enhancing economic efficiency of the forest land, he said, adding that relevant authorities should study to expand forest land and consumption market as well as draw measures to respond to abnormal weather.

In long term, the province is working out rational mechanisms and support policies to encourage locals to plant FSC forest, he said.

The province already set up the Forest Owners Sustainable Development Association (FOSDA) to protect legitimate rights and benefits of small forest household owners in sustainable forestry-related activities. Besides, the association is responsible for promoting sustainable forest management in accordance with FSC standards.

Local farmers and organisations are encouraged to apply advanced technologies to improve forest quality and productivity.

As seedling is a decisive factor to forest quality and productivity, tissue culture technique has been applied in the afforestation, said Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ho Sy Nguyen.

Various kinds of seedlings have been effectively used to ensure high-quality supply for sustainable forest planting of organisations, households, and individuals in the locality.

Thua Thien-Hue is now home to nearly 349,000 hectares of forest and forestry land, 212,172 hectares of which are natural forest, and 70,830 hectares are planted forest.-VNA