Master plan on coastal forest development and protection approved

The plan targets to uphold the role and function of coastal forests in protecting the environment and coastal infrastructure, preventing desertification, land degradation and biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating more jobs and incomes for people living in coastal areas, consolidating national defense and security, minimizing natural calamity and effectively adapting to climate change and sea level rise. 

Over the next decade, the Government plans to grow 20,000 hectares of new forest, including 9,800 hectares of protective forests to block sand and break waves (mangrove forest) and 10,200 hectares of wind- and sand-shielding protection forests.

Of the above total, the Governement expects to plant 11,000 hectares of new forest within the next five years. 

Around 15,000 hectares of forest will be grown back, consisting of 6,800 hectares of protective forests to block sand and break waves (mangrove forest) and 8,200 hectares of wind- and sand-shielding protection forests.

Of the above figure, 9,000 hectares of forest will be regenerated over the next five years. 

Meanwhile, the plan expects to improve capacity and livelihood for community and people taking part in protecting and developing coastal areas. 

Last April, the Government introduced a project on planting one billion trees in the 2021-2025 period, including 690 million trees to be planted in both urban and rural areas, and 310 million trees in concentrated, special-use forests and newly planted production forests.

By Thuy Dung