On February 28, Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee said that Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Duong Mah Tiep had concluded on resolving problems in exploiting acacia hybrid trees planted on protection forest land under the Project to plant 5 million hectares of forest according to Decision No. 661/QD-TTg dated July 29, 1998 of the Prime Minister (called Project 661), implemented in Phu My area.
Project 661 was assigned to the Phu My Protection Forest Management Board (BQLRPH) to directly implement. This unit has signed land allocation contracts for households to plant, care for, and protect forests and implement the benefit mechanism according to Decision No. 178/2001/QD-TTg dated November 12, 2001 of the Prime Minister.
Although the project ended in 2010, during the forest exploitation under Project 661, Phu My Forest Protection Management Board did not liquidate or terminate the contract as prescribed, but still allowed the contracted households to continue planting acacia hybrids. The replanting after exploitation was not carried out correctly and fully according to regulations.
In addition, the unexploited planted forest area under Project 661 has now become biologically mature, leading to natural tree deaths. Hybrid acacia trees planted on protection forest land are no longer suitable for protection functions, while Phu My Forest Protection Management Board does not have complete records to carry out exploitation in accordance with regulations.
The main responsibility for the above-mentioned shortcomings and obstacles in the exploitation of protection forests belongs to Phu My Forest Protection Management Board. The Provincial People's Committee has directed the Provincial Inspectorate to conduct inspections, clarify responsibilities and handle them according to regulations.
Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to direct BQLRPH to review the entire area of planted forest managed by the unit under previous afforestation projects, and assess the suitability of the crop structure with the protection function according to regulations.
On that basis, organize the handling and liquidation of plant species that are no longer suitable for protection functions in accordance with regulations; develop plans to plant protection forests with native or suitable plant species; strengthen inspection and supervision of management, exploitation and replanting of forests; promptly advise the Provincial People's Committee to handle issues arising beyond its authority.
Request Phu My Forest Protection Management Board to work with contractor households under Project 661 to inspect and review all contracts signed or agreed upon with people; consider and resolve the rights of households according to legal regulations, limiting the occurrence of prolonged and over-level complaints and lawsuits.
Relevant localities coordinate with Phu My Forest Protection Management Board to strengthen propaganda and disseminate laws on forest management, protection and development; request people to fully comply with regulations, not to arbitrarily exploit or replant acacia hybrid trees without permission from competent authorities.
