A working group of the NA Committee for Economics, led by Vice-Chair Le Quoc Dung, recently met with Quang Ngai officials to consider forest management. Dung talked with Tuoi Tre on the sidelines.

A working group of the National Assembly’s Committee for Economics, led by Vice-Chair Le Quoc Dung, met with Quang Ngai officials to consider forest management on April 12. Dung talked with Tuoi Tre on the sidelines.

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Tuoi Tre: Is it true that the State ineffectively manages forest so much so that it has rented forests and allowed private firms to develop the areas?

Le Quoc Dung: The State works out plans for everything. The State controls protected and special forest areas, allocating production in the forests to area residents or companies who lease the land. However, companies must grow forests under the State’s plans.

There are various forms of management over forests and the effectiveness of each is different. The State is restructuring forest management to choose the best form.

The State is carrying out a pilot policy, under which forest land is allocated to people over the long run and the State subsidizes cooking to forest growers over 10-20 years. When people can really live off the forest and earn high incomes from the forest, this project will end.

Tuoi Tre: If the state allocates forests to businesses, are the goals of economic development and environmental protection achieved?

Le Quoc Dung: It is a good policy to lease forest land to businesses or people, but this policy should focus on local firms. It is necessary to have a clear plan and leased forests must be delimited clearly. I think our descendants will not be affected by this policy.

Tuoi Tre: What is your point of view about leasing forests to foreigners?

Le Quoc Dung: It is good in terms of economics, but we must carefully consider national security issues. Leased forest areas must be checked to ensure the interests of Vietnam, area governments and the people.

Source: Tuoi Tre