[enviro-vlc] Lam Dong Province to plant new trees for old

[Vern Weitzel]

That's 14sq km / year, apparently of plantation pine. That is 154 sq km by 2020.
I don't see what is the economic value of the pine and who would benefit.
Do we know more about the species of pine, the local and surrounding ecology? V

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2008/10/809145/

Lam Dong Province to plant new trees for old
03:58' 19/10/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – The Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Lam Dong is 
planning to cut tens of thousands of hectares of natural pine forests throughout 
the province and replace them with high-value cash crops, according to the 
deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural 
Development, Le Van Minh.

"We have decided to replace natural pine forests with others because the pine is 
old and stunted. Cutting the trees and planting new ones will help local people 
improve their living standards".

The project, part of a provincial afforestation plan to 2020, calls for 1,400ha 
of pine to be cut per year and immediately replaced with cash crops including 
bead-tree and bamboo. The plan is expected to supply 500,000cu.m of timber a 
year by 2020.

"We have decided to replace natural pine forests with others because the pine is 
old and stunted. Cutting the trees and planting new ones will help local people 
improve their living standards," said Minh.

"We have carefully carried out relevant studies before developing the project. 
We will publicise the details after submitting it to the Government."

Minh said the project was designed with high feasibility.

In the dark

However, many local people do not know about it, including Deputy Chairman and 
General Secretary of Lam Dong Science and Technology Association Nguy Xung Hung.

Hung said his organisation did not hear about the project until it was released 
in the mass media. "It’s a pity that if the project is approved, we, the 
relevant sectors, did not have a chance to contribute our ideas."

Painter Pham Mui, a member of the Viet Nam Art Association, said he did not have 
enough economic information to assess the project, but he had doubts about its 
feasibility.

"Da Lat built a golf course in a spot that used to be the most beautiful place 
in the city. But the golf course has lost money in the last 16 years, and people 
continue to build many golf courses in the province. I don’t know why, for 
what?" asked Mui.

"From the view of a painter, I feel anguish. I hope the Government will consider 
this project carefully before making a decision."

Deputy head of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and 
Rural Development Nguyen Quang Duong said his department had received the 
proposal from Lam Dong Province. However, he did not know much about it.

"In my opinion, if the 60-70 year old pine forest’s exploitation value is low, 
it’s necessary to cut it down and plant new ones. I support the province’s plan. 
However, we need to define the age of every forested area to avoid mistakes," 
said Duong.

Head of Lam Dong Department of Forest Cat Quoc Khanh said he agreed with the 
project because afforestation helps create jobs and improve living standards for 
local people, especially ethnic minority people living in the forest.

"It’s feasible, but it needs a clear plan," said Khanh.

Khanh said the project does not include protected forests and forests with 
special uses, like tourism areas and areas near lakes and streams. The project 
would only be carried out in forested areas marked for the purpose of production 
and trade.

"We’ll cut it down and then plant new ones immediately. It’s necessary to have a 
systematic plan including good seedlings and a closed system from investment to 
processing," said Khanh.

Minh and Khanh stress that the project is very feasible and will help improve 
the local economy.

(Source: Viet Nam News)