[enviro-vlc] VN manages forests to deflect climate change

[Vern Weitzel]

http://www.vnagency.com.vn/Home/EN/tabid/119/itemid/246421/Default.aspx

VN manages forests to deflect climate change
24/04/2008 -- 1:00 PM

Hanoi (VNA) – In an effort to fight climate change, Vietnam will continue to 
work to increase forest coverage and importantly, ensure the quality of forest, 
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said on April 23.

Apart from boosting preservation of biodiversity, Vietnam will strengthen 
silvicultural methodology, said Deputy Director of International Cooperation 
Department under the MARD, Tran Kim Long, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific 
Forestry Week and the 22nd session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission in 
Hanoi .

In terms of policy, Long said, a strategy on forestry development by 2020 has 
been approved, which has given an impetus for improving effective management of 
forests.

Dr. Daniel Murdiyarso from the Centre for International Forestry Research, said 
the strategy is a promising start to improvement and provides a solid policy 
tool to support further work.

Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the 
United Nations (FAO) Jan Heino also commended Vietnam ’s approach so far in 
sustainable forest management.

Vietnam has developed a number of programmes and projects to protect and develop 
forests, including Programme 327 to “green” wastelands and bare hills, and a 
project to plant 5 million hectares of forest from 1998-2010. In addition, the 
law on forest protection and development was amended in 2004.

As a result, Vietnam has increased its forest acreage from 9.3 million ha in 
1995 to 12.87 million ha in 2006. The forest coverage now is 38 percent of the 
country as compared to over 20 percent in the 1990s.

The Asia -Pacific Forestry Week and the 22nd session of the Asia-Pacific 
Forestry Commission is being held from April 21-25. The event attracted the 
participation of over 400 representatives from 33 members of the Asia-Pacific 
Forestry Commission, over 30 non-governmental organisations, research institutes 
and businesspeople.-Enditem