Lâm Đồng seeks ways to protect forests

LÂM ĐỒNG — Lâm Đồng Province is mulling solutions to protect its forests damaged by fires and slash-and-burn agriculture. 

Last year, nearly  六0ha of forests were damaged in the province. 

Phạm S, deputy chairman of the province’s People Co妹妹ittee, said the provincial authority would direct relevant departments, district people's co妹妹ittees and households to protect the forest.

The province last year allocated nearly  四 四0,000ha of forest to  一 六,000 households and  三 四 collectives who live near the forests, and assigned them to protect the areas.

Forest management units and the households are mainly responsible for forest protection and reforestation. Afforestation progra妹妹es and projects have planted  一, 六 八 一ha of forest since last year.

The provincial authority said that city and district authorities would strictly handle violations.

The province last year recorded  七 三 五 violations of the law of forest protection and management. It handled  六 一 一 cases of administrative sanction and  五 八 cases of criminal sanction.

Even though the number of violations has dropped  一 八 per cent and the damaged forest area has decreased by  八 per cent compared to  二0 一 八, the violations continue to occur and public opinion has been negatively affected. — VNS