Ha Noi seeks $714m for forests
The city’s figure includes 14,000ha of forest, 5,000ha of protection forest (used to prevent erosion) and 10,150ha of special-use forest (for bio-diversity or to protect relics). Forest covers 6.94 per cent of the city area. Ha Noi has 29,100ha of forest and forestry land, accounting for 0.17 per cent of Viet Nam’s forest and forestry land.
However, forest land has been reduced, the quality and economic value of the forest is low and forest management is poor, resulting in forest fires.
Population growth and the high demand of land for housing, industry and tourism are being blamed for the reduction in forest land. Moreover, management mechanisms for forests were said to be insufficient.
Under the plan, the city targets forest coverage of 7.3-7.5 per cent of the city area.
It also outlines measures to develop high value forest products, biotourism and environmental services.
It is expected that by 2020, forest will provide 10,000-15,000 jobs, helping to improve living standards and national security. Earnings from each ha of forest was expected to increase fourfold over the current annual VND10-15 million (US$476-714) per ha.
The Agriculture Department estimates VND1.5 trillion ($71.4 million) is needed to implement the plan, of which, 57 per cent will come from the State budget, 14 per cent from loans, 12.9 per cent from joint venture contributions and 9.1 per cent from provision fund accounts.