Issuing red books for for forests as a green livelihood support
One morning at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Tay Giang commune, Mr. Lang Buoc - a resident of Bhlo village - enthusiastically received a "red book" for 8,516.5m2 of production forest land. "My family has lived stably on the land left by our parents since 1980 but has never had a certificate. Now that we have been granted the right to plant perennial crops and develop production," Mr. Bau shared.
To date, Tay Giang commune has granted 1,128 forestry land use right certificates to 464 households, with a total area of over 970 hectares of forest. The commune leader said that this not only ensures rights, but also helps people easily connect with businesses and cooperatives, access credit and improve the efficiency of forest land management.
In Hoa Khanh ward, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoang - a typical forest grower - has just been granted a certificate for 30 hectares out of nearly 80 hectares of his large timber forest. He was moved: "With a certificate, I feel more secure in investing more methodically, linking with businesses for consumption. Maintaining the forest is both a livelihood and a responsibility to keep the homeland green".
Thanks to the "red book", many mountainous households have boldly converted and invested in the long term. Mr. Thieu Song (Hoa Vang commune) collected more than 400 million VND from 10 hectares of acacia, this year, and at the same time spent 2 hectares to grow black star fruit, red thunderstorms, and flower slices. The Keo is effective quickly, but the wood is larger and more durable, anti-landslide and environmental protection. People are registering to grow a lot, and are also receiving seed support" - he said.
In the same commune, Mr. Tran Van Hung calculated: 1 hectare of acacia after 6 years only costs 7080 million VND, but large trees after 1112 years can reach over 200 million VND. The difference is obvious, but only when there is a red book, do people dare to invest in a long cycle he affirmed.
Towards sustainable forestry
In addition to wood, many households also diversify their livelihoods under the forest canopy. Ms. Tran Thi Mai (Hai Van ward) raises bees in parallel with growing hybrids. "With a certificate, I feel secure in expanding the area. This year, we collected more than 100 liters of honey, selling it at a fairly high price" - Ms. Mai said. "Valuable" models - from wood, medicinal herbs, honey to eco-tourism - are helping to increase income, while affirming that forests are the "green lung" of the community.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hong An - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Da Nang - granting red books to large timber forests is an important legal foundation for sustainable forestry development. The city is synchronously implementing policies: supporting high-quality tree varieties, technical training, preferential credit, connecting with wood processing enterprises and international organizations to aim for FSC certification - a condition for planted forest wood to participate in the export market.
Clear land use rights help people be more attached to the forest, limit short-term exploitation, thereby protecting natural forests, maintaining biodiversity and contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
It can be said that the "red books for forests" are bringing double joy to the people of Da Nang mountainous areas: the household economy is improving, while forests are being invested in systematically to be green for a long time. This is an important step for the city to develop modern forestry, be environmentally friendly and contribute to the green growth goal.