On December 29, information from the Forestry Department - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ha Tinh province said that during the construction of the North-South expressway project, the Vung Ang - Bung section through Ky Lac commune (Ky Anh district) and Ky Hoa commune (Ky Anh town), due to the expansion of the mountain leveling construction to limit landslides, an additional 17 hectares of forest had to be converted.
“The National Assembly has approved the forest conversion policy for this area. Now, the only step left is to finalize the decision to convert the forest. Next week, the Department of Agriculture will consult with the Provincial Committee to sign the document and it will be done,” said a representative of the Ha Tinh Forest Protection Department.
Affected by the North-South Eastern Expressway project in the 2021-2025 period, Ha Tinh province had previously converted 108 hectares of forest, and now needs to convert an additional 17 hectares.
Previously, on December 26, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province sent a document to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the People's Committee of Ky Anh district, and the People's Committee of Ky Anh town to urge the review of dossiers on conversion of forest use purposes arising and increasing under the North-South Expressway Project.
According to the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province: The report and advice of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development do not clearly state the basis for changing the purpose of forest use according to the provisions of law; this Department is assigned to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and relevant localities to review, supplement, clarify the basis, report and advise the Provincial People's Committee before December 31.
The North-South Eastern Expressway Project, phase 2021 - 2025, through Ha Tinh province, with a length of 102.38km, includes 3 component projects: Bai Vot - Ham Nghi, 35.28km long, Ham Nghi - Vung Ang, 54.2km long, and Vung Ang - Bung, 12.9km long.
Regarding the project, Ha Tinh had to reclaim 912 hectares of land of all kinds with nearly 9,500 affected households, excavate more than 1,000 graves, build 26 resettlement areas, 4 cemeteries, and relocate many other works and technical infrastructure.
