Increasing the average forest protection fee to VND 500,000/ha.

Decree No. 58/2024/ND-CP has adjusted some investment levels and support for various activities related to forest protection and development compared to the current investment policy.

Specifically, the average support level for forest protection and contracted forest protection has been raised to VND 500,000/ha/year, an increase of VND 200,000/ha/year compared to the current policy.

The average support for special-use forest management boards is VND 150,000/ha/year/total allocated area, an increase of VND 50,000/ha/year compared to the current rate. For areas in Zone II and III communes, the support is 1.2 times, and for coastal areas, it is 1.5 times the average level.

The investment level for afforestation, natural forest nurturing, and enrichment planting of special-use and protective forests follows economic-technical norms, design, and project estimates approved by the competent state agency. The current investment level is 30 million VND/ha for afforestation.

According to Decree No. 58, contracted forest protection prioritizes areas adjacent to residential areas for local households, individuals, and communities, especially in Zone II and III communes, and areas adjacent to regions with a high risk of forest resource encroachment.

Conditions and limits for forest protection contracts are implemented according to the provisions of Article 4 and Clause 2, Article 6 of Decree No. 168/2016/ND-CP dated December 27, 2016, of the Government.

Regarding implementation procedures, based on the annual forest protection management budget estimate, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development decides on the specific funding level for each forest management board under the Ministry; the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee decides on the specific funding level for each local forest management board.

The specific support method is based on the forest protection results between the forest owner (household, individual, community) and the commune-level People's Committee. The implementation period is yearly or according to a medium-term plan of 3 or 5 years.

Annually, the commune-level People's Committee, along with local forest rangers, is responsible for the acceptance and evaluation of the forest protection results for each support recipient. If the recipient allows forest loss or degradation or fails to comply with the approved design, a record of the lost or degraded forest area is made, identifying the cause and handling it according to current legal regulations.

Before June 30 each year, the commune-level People's Committee prepares a plan and budget estimate for protecting forests that have not been allocated or leased for the following year, and includes it in the commune's annual budget estimate, submitting it to the competent authority for approval and allocation of annual funds according to the State Budget Law from public service funding sources.

Forest Protection Department Director Tran Quang Bao noted that the new Decree provides additional motivation for organizations, individuals, and communities to participate in forest management, protection, and development.

Previously, the contract level was implemented according to Circular No. 21/2023/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance, issued on April 14, 2023. It provided an average annual support of VND 300,000/ha for contracted forest protection.

The support for protecting natural production forests during forest closure was VND 300,000/ha/year for forestry companies; VND 100,000/ha/year for forest management boards and commune-level People's Committees; and VND 300,000/ha/year for households, individuals, and communities.

On May 23, at the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly, the issue of forest protection contracts was brought to the floor. Some delegates suggested that the old support level was no longer appropriate and proposed increasing the average level to about VND 1 million/ha/year.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan responded that forest management, protection, and development should not rely solely on increasing the contract and support levels. The head of the agriculture sector aims to create sustainable resources for people to participate in forest conservation through comprehensive adjustments to maximize the multi-value benefits of forest ecosystems.

It must be noted that the role of forest management is indispensable in the economic development of forestry. In addition to implementing operational measures to manage and protect forests as well as ensure compliance with forestry laws, forest management also involves raising awareness and mobilizing communities to transition from extensive to intensive forestry practices; establishing a guideline for the application of scientific and technical advancements, utilizing new plant varieties, fostering agroforestry, and cultivating medicinal plants under forest canopies to enhance land productivity and value; promoting preferential policies and investment support in forestry; among other activities.