Gia Lai province has revised its reforestation plan following heavy losses caused by Storm No. 13, raising the 2026 planting target and rolling out measures to improve forest quality and sustainability.
Reporters from Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio & Television interviewed Mr. Trương Thanh Hà, Acting Head of the Forest Protection Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), on this issue.
▪ What specific solutions are being implemented to ensure the progress and quality of forest planting in 2026?
Mr. Trương Thanh Hà. Photo: N.N
- After Storm No. 13, about 25,000 hectares of planted forest in the province were severely damaged, significantly affecting forestry development plans.
Based on the targets set out in the Resolution of the First Provincial Party Congress, planting 125,000 hectares of forest during the 2026–2030 period, or an average of 25,000 hectares a year, the Forest Protection Department has advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment to develop a plan to plant 42,500 hectares of forest in 2026.
Of this total, 25,000 hectares will meet the Resolution’s annual target, while 17,500 hectares will be reforested to replace areas damaged by the storm.
To achieve this goal, the Department will continue to strictly implement policies and directives from the Party Central Committee and the Government on forest management, protection and development, while resolutely safeguarding 100% of existing natural forest areas as the foundation for sustainable forestry.
At the same time, the Department will advise on the formulation and completion of support policies for local people and forest owners to replant damaged areas, and promote forest care, zoning and natural regeneration to improve productivity and quality.
In addition, we will continue to research and propose thematic resolutions, strengthen Party leadership, and mobilise the entire political system in forest protection and development.
▪ With forestry land shrinking and weather patterns becoming more complex, how will the Department enhance forest cover effectiveness and sustainability?
- The Department will comprehensively implement the 2026 forest protection and development plan, along with forest fire prevention and control measures. Patrols and inspections will be intensified to promptly detect and strictly handle violations of forestry laws, minimising encroachment on forest resources.
We will also advise and guide forest zoning and natural forest restoration, while promoting the conversion of small timber plantations into large timber forests to improve forest quality and establish stable raw material zones for deep processing.
For forest land-use conversion, the Department will strengthen inspection, supervision and appraisal, and will only advise competent authorities to consider projects that fully meet the requirements of the Forestry Law and related regulations, with the aim of minimising reductions in forest area and coverage.
In parallel, we will review the current forest status, adjust forestry planning, and propose converting upstream areas, steep terrain, reservoir buffer zones and key transport corridors into the forest protection.
Looking ahead, the Department will promote the application of information technology, remote sensing, digital transformation and artificial intelligence in forest monitoring, resource management and fire prevention, with the goal of raising Gia Lai’s forest cover to 46.5% by 2030.
The forest protection force continues to be strengthened and its capacity enhanced to ensure sustainable forest protection and development. Photo: N.N
▪ What measures will be taken to mobilise local authorities, forest owners and the public for sustainable forest development?
- We will continue to innovate coordination methods, communication and technical support in a practical and effective manner. A key focus will be on improving capacity and applying technology in forest seedling production, including the development of high-quality tissue-cultured seedlings that are pest-resistant and adaptable to climate change.
At the same time, we will intensify communication efforts to encourage people, businesses and forest owners to shift from planting small timber forests to large timber forests, thereby increasing economic value and long-term engagement with forestry.
The Department will implement the Large Timber Tree Development Project for 2026–2030, with a vision to 2050, and advise the Department of Agriculture and Environment to propose that the Provincial People’s Committee assign large timber planting targets to forestry companies and management boards of protection and special-use forests.
We will also review encroached forestry land for recovery and allocation to large timber planting with suitable species, and orient replacement afforestation projects towards large timber species.
In addition, inspection and supervision of large timber forest planting will be strengthened, alongside guidance on converting small timber forests to large timber business models based on practical effectiveness.
The Department will continue to consolidate its organisational structure, enhance the capacity of the forest protection force, intensify dissemination of forestry laws, improve management capacity at the commune level, and advise on support and incentive policies for forest owners, contributing to sustainable forestry development.
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