Vietnam Tra Vinh Province Expands Forest Cover

Vietnam’s Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tra Vinh has earmarked VND39.6 billion ($1.6 million) for sustainably developing the forestry sector in 2023-25.

Under a program approved by its People’s Committee, Tra Vinh will increase the value of forestry produce, create jobs in rural areas, protect the environment, and ensure maritime security.

It will grow 656 hectares of new forests between now and 2025, according to Vice Chairman of Tra Vinh People's Committee Nguyen Trung Hoang.

It is expected to allocate the new forests to households, creating 250 jobs.

It aims to increase the total forest area to more than 10,000ha and increase the value of forest produce by 2.5% a year from now to 2025.

It now has 9,600 hectares for a forest cover rate of 4.1%.

Much of its forests has been allocated to households and organizations to protect and exploit.

The province aims to have 80% tended in this manner by 2025.

It is encouraging farmers in coastal areas to grow mangrove forests and breed aquatic species in them since the model has helped develop forests sustainably, improve farmers’ incomes, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and is environment friendly.

Tran Truong Giang, director of the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said more than 23,980ha have been zoned in coastal areas for forests and aquaculture. (VietnamNews)