Over 1,024 million trees were planted across Da Nang as part of the post-Lunar New Year tree planting festivals during the 2021 - 2023 period.

The figure was released at a meeting held in the city on Saturday to review the 3-year implementation of the Forestry Development Strategy and the Government's project on planting a billion trees.

Municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Chi Cuong speaking at the event

According to a report, more than VND35.34 billion was spent on carrying out the project. Over VND20.83 billion of which came from State budget, whilst the remainder nearly VND14.51 billion was socialized capital.

In his remarks at the event, municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Chi Cuong highly appreciated the efforts and coordination of departments, units and localities in the forest management and protection, and forest fire prevention and fighting during the period.

He took the opportunity to ask the local agricultural sector to speed up the research and allocation of coastal tree planting such as coconut trees. He added that the city will direct relevant agencies to call for the participation and response of tourism firms in planting trees along coastal areas with the aim to create tourism landscapes and attract more locals and tourists.

He also stressed the need for units and departments to implement the annual Tree Planting Festival in a practical and effective manner, raise public awareness and responsibility for planting and taking care of trees in residential areas, and taking effective solutions for forest development and tree planting.

As planned, more than 2,133 million trees are expected to be planted citywide during the 2024 - 2025 period. Of which, there will be more than 1,263 million centrally planted trees, and 870,000 scattered trees.

As for the implementation of the Sustainable Forestry Development Strategy for the 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030 in the city, from 2021-2023, the area of concentrated production forests reached more than 4,038 hectares (lower than the average target of 1,800 hectares/year). The area of planting large timber forests and converting small timber forests to large timber forests was nearly 423.2 hectares.

The area of ​​planting protective forests and special-use forests reached 365.35 hectares (lower than the average target of 140 hectares/year). The area of natural forests nurtured and promoted for regeneration was more than 346.8 hectares, lower than the average target of 400 hectares/year. The forestry sector harvested 422,120 m³ of wood from planted forests, higher than the target of 60,000 m³.

The quality of natural forests increased, and the area of rich forests reached nearly 18,987 hectares. The forest area that has been granted FSC certification was 217.23 hectares, reaching 1/5 of the target in the 2021 - 2025 period. The city-wide forest coverage rate was 47.17% in 2021, 45.5% in 2022, and 44.77% in 2023 (lower than the average level of 47% set in the strategic goal).

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong (5th, right) awarding Certificates of Merit to 10 individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in assigned tasks. Photo: VAN HOANG

During the 3-year period, 1,883 patrols were conducted to protect forests, prevent forest fires, check and prevent illegal transportation and trading of forest products and wild animals in the city. Administrative fines were imposed on 42 violation cases related to forest protection and development.

19 mobile teams and 60 forest protection groups, with a total of 834 members, were established in villages and residential areas near forests and forest edges.

On the occasion, Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of the municipal People's Committee were given to 5 individuals and 5 groups in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the implementation of the Forestry Development Strategy, and the project on planting one billion trees in the 2021-2023 period in the city.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG, T. TUNG