Consolidated Document number 02/VBHN-BNNPTNT on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forces for Forest Protection

DECREE

Regarding Forest Rangers and Specialized Forces for Forest Protection

Decree No. 01/2019/ND-CP dated January 1, 2019, issued by the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forces for Forest Protection of Forest Owners, which took effect from February 15, 2019, has been amended and supplemented by:

Decree No. 159/2024/ND-CP dated December 18, 2024, issued by the Government to amend and supplement certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2019/ND-CP dated January 1, 2019, issued by the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forces for Forest Protection of Forest Owners, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

||| Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Forestry Law dated November 15, 2017;

At the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; the Government promulgates this Decree on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forces for Forest Protection of Forest Owners[1].

Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Decree provides detailed regulations on the tasks, powers, organization, equipment to ensure operations, and systems and policies for Forest Rangers; the tasks, powers, and measures to ensure operations of the Specialized Forces for Forest Protection of Forest Owners.

Article 2. Applicability

This Decree applies to Forest Rangers, Specialized Forces for Forest Protection of Forest Owners, and state agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the activities of Forest Rangers and Specialized Forces for Forest Protection of Forest Owners.

Chapter II. TASKS, POWERS, ORGANIZATION AND SYSTEMS, POLICIES FOR FOREST RANGERS

Section 1. TASKS AND POWERS OF FOREST RANGERS

Article 3. Tasks and Powers of Central Forest Rangers

1.[2] Advising and assisting the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in drafting normative legal documents, mechanisms, and policies on forest management, protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, ensuring compliance with forestry laws.

2. Directing, guiding, and inspecting forest management, protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, ensuring compliance with forestry laws throughout the country:

a) Implementing normative legal documents, programs, plans, schemes, projects on forest management, protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, ensuring compliance with forestry laws;

b) Monitoring forest conditions, conducting forest inventories, allocating forests, leasing forests, reclaiming forests, changing the purpose of forest use;

c) Organizing efforts to combat, prevent, and stop violations of forestry laws in forest management, protection, harvesting, utilization, transportation, purchase, sale, storage, processing of forest products as prescribed by law;

d) Organizing the protection of special-use forests, protective forests, and forests under national ownership where the State has not allocated or leased them;

đ) Conducting breeding, planting, and cultivation of forest plant and animal species; verifying, tracing, and confirming the origin of forest products;

e) Implementing fire prevention and extinguishing measures, organizing specialized forces for fire prevention and extinguishing;

g) Handling administrative violations and applying measures to stop administrative violations; initiating and investigating criminal cases involving violations of forestry laws according to the law;

h) Managing and using uniforms, weapons, support tools, and specialized equipment for Forest Rangers nationwide.

3. Implementing tasks related to forest management, protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, ensuring compliance with forestry laws throughout the country:

a)[3] Cooperating with forest owners to implement measures to protect forests and prevent fires, ensuring compliance with the law at special-use forests and protective forests under their management;

b) Combating, preventing, and stopping violations of forestry laws; handling administrative violations and applying measures to stop administrative violations; initiating and investigating criminal cases involving violations of forestry laws according to the law;

c) Monitoring, forecasting, and warning about forest fire risks nationwide; organizing the establishment of specialized forces for fire prevention and extinguishing in key areas;

d) Managing specialized databases on forest management, protection, violation handling, forest conditions, fire prevention and extinguishing, and related databases within the scope of management;

đ) Communicating, informing, and promoting forestry laws;

e) Providing professional training and vocational training for Forest Rangers and Specialized Forces for Forest Protection nationwide;

g) Implementing international cooperation on forest protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, combating illegal trade in forest products across borders according to assigned levels and as prescribed by law;

h) Managing and using weapons, support tools, means, and specialized equipment, uniforms according to the law; planning the provision of specialized equipment for forest management, protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, and compliance with forestry laws;

i) Researching and applying science and technology in forest management, protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, and tracing the origin of forest products;

k)[4] Implementing regulations on the Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance System; regulations on the management of forest plants and animals and the enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; managing and tracing the origin of forest products according to the law.

4. Managing and directing Regional Forest Rangers to perform central Forest Rangers' tasks and powers on forest management, protection, ensuring compliance with forestry laws, and organizing specialized forces for fire prevention and extinguishing within the assigned region.

5. Performing other tasks as prescribed by law and assigned by competent state agencies.

Article 4. Tasks and Powers of Provincial Forest Rangers

1. Advising the head of the specialized agency assisting the People's Committee of the province in managing forestry affairs within the provincial territory:

a) Drafting programs, plans, schemes, and projects on forest management, protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, ensuring compliance with forestry laws;

b) Cooperating with other agencies, organizations, and forces on the territory to protect national forests that have not been allocated or leased by the State;

c) Allocating forests, leasing forests, reclaiming forests, changing forest types, and changing the purpose of forest use in the locality according to the law;

d)[5] Developing and utilizing forests when authorized by competent state agencies according to the law.

2. Direct, guide, and inspect forest management, protection, fire prevention and firefighting, forest development, and forest use to ensure compliance with forestry laws within the provincial territory.[6]:

a) Develop and implement programs, plans, schemes, and projects on forest management, protection, fire prevention and firefighting, ensuring compliance with forestry laws.

b) Monitor forest conditions, conduct forest inventories, allocate forests, lease forests, reclaim forests, change forest types, and change forest land use purposes in accordance with the law.

c) Organize forest management and protection, establish and implement forest fire prevention and firefighting plans for forest owners.

d) Organize struggles, prevention, and blocking of violations of laws in forest management, protection, logging, use, transportation, business, storage, and processing of forest products; verify and confirm the origin of forest products for businesses engaged in processing, exporting, and importing forest products.

đ) Guide and inspect forest product business, breeding, and planting of forest animal and plant species in accordance with the law.

e)[7] Guide and inspect forest development and use when assigned by competent state authorities in accordance with the law.

3. Implement tasks related to forest management, protection, fire prevention and firefighting, forest development, and forest use to ensure compliance with forestry laws within the provincial territory.[8]

a) Implement legal regulatory documents, programs, plans, schemes, and projects on forest management, protection, fire prevention and firefighting, ensuring compliance with forestry laws within the assigned tasks in accordance with the law.

b) Coordinate with forest owners to implement measures for forest protection, fire prevention and firefighting, ensuring compliance with forestry laws; conserve forest resources and biodiversity in accordance with the law.

c) Monitor, forecast, and warn about forest fire risks; organize forces and equipment to cooperate with forest owners and local authorities to extinguish forest fires; if necessary, advise competent authorities to mobilize forces and equipment within the area to extinguish forest fires.

d) Organize specialized forces for forest fire prevention and firefighting; inspect safety regarding forest fire prevention and firefighting.

đ) Organize struggles, prevention, and blocking to ensure compliance with forestry laws; handle administrative violations and apply preventive measures against administrative violations; initiate and investigate criminal cases involving violations of forestry laws in accordance with the law.

e) Provide information, propaganda, dissemination, mobilization, and education on forestry laws.

g) Train and provide professional training for Forest Rangers and specialized forest protection forces.

h) Manage and use military weapons, support tools, equipment, and uniforms in accordance with the law.

i) Implement regular and ad hoc reporting systems as required by competent state management authorities.

k)[9] Implement regulations on the Vietnam Legality Assurance System according to the level of authority; regulations on the management of forest plants and animals and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; manage and trace the origin of forest products in accordance with the law.

l)[10] Implement forest development and use tasks when assigned by competent state authorities in accordance with the law.

4. Perform other tasks as prescribed by law and assigned by competent state authorities.

Article 5. Tasks and Authorities of Forest Rangers at the District Level

1. Advise the head of Forest Rangers at the provincial level and the People's Committee at the district level:

a) Develop programs, plans, and schemes for forest management, protection, fire prevention, and firefighting to ensure compliance with forestry laws within their jurisdiction.

b) Coordinate with other agencies, organizations, and forces on the territory to protect state-owned forests that have not been transferred or leased out.

c) Allocate forests, lease forests, and reclaim forests for households, individuals, and community groups.

2. Implement tasks related to forest management, protection, fire prevention, and firefighting to ensure compliance with forestry laws within the assigned jurisdiction:

a) Implement legal regulatory documents, programs, plans, schemes, and projects concerning forest management, protection, fire prevention, and firefighting to ensure compliance with forestry laws.

b) Guide and inspect the development of forest management and protection plans; fire prevention and firefighting schemes of forest owners; coordinate with forest owners to implement forest management, protection, fire prevention, and firefighting measures to ensure compliance with forestry laws within their jurisdiction.

c) Monitor forest conditions and conduct forest inventories.

d) Train and guide fire prevention and firefighting skills for grassroots forest protection teams; build grassroots fire prevention and firefighting forces and teams.

đ) Provide timely information on forest fire forecasts and warnings; implement fire prevention measures; advise authorities to mobilize resources and personnel to organize firefighting operations.

e)[11] Implement regulations regarding the Vietnamese Legal Timber Assurance System; confirm the origin of forest products, confirm samples of animal and plant specimens; manage and trace the origin of forest products according to the law.

g) Organize preventive struggles, prevent and ensure compliance with forestry laws; handle administrative violations and apply measures to stop administrative violations; initiate and investigate criminal cases involving violations of forestry laws according to the law.

h) Promote and disseminate laws; mobilize the public to participate in forest management, protection, and development.

i) Manage and use military weapons, support tools, equipment, and uniforms according to the law.

k) Implement reporting and information systems regularly and as required by competent state management agencies.

3.[12] Manage and direct the activities of Forest Ranger Stations and Forest Rangers working in the field to implement legal regulatory documents, programs, plans, and schemes concerning forest management, protection, fire prevention, and firefighting to ensure compliance with forestry laws.

4. Perform other tasks as prescribed by law and assigned by competent state authorities.

Article 6. Tasks and Authorities of Forest Rangers in Specialized Forests and Protective Forests

1. Develop programs and plans for forest protection, fire prevention, and firefighting to ensure compliance with forestry laws within the jurisdiction of the Management Board of Specialized Forests and Protective Forests..

2. Coordinate with the Management Board of Specialized Forests and Protective Forests, Forest Rangers at the district level, and relevant agencies on the territory to develop cooperation regulations and implement programs and plans for forest management, protection, fire prevention, and firefighting; ensure compliance with forestry laws within the assigned jurisdiction.

3. Handle administrative violations and apply measures to stop administrative violations; initiate and investigate criminal cases involving violations of forestry laws according to the law within the assigned jurisdiction and as stipulated by the law.

4. Coordinate in promoting and educating the public about the law, mobilizing the public in the protected areas for forest protection and firefighting.

5. Monitor information on forest fire forecasts and warnings; coordinate with the Management Board of Specialized Forests and Protective Forests and local authorities to implement fire prevention and firefighting measures; report to competent authorities to mobilize resources and personnel to organize firefighting operations if necessary.

6. Manage and use military weapons, support tools, equipment, and uniforms according to the law.

7. Implement regular reporting and information systems as required by competent state management agencies.

8. Perform other tasks as prescribed by law and assigned by competent state agencies.

Article 7. Duties and Authorities of Forest Rangers [13]

1. When performing official duties, forest rangers shall fulfill their assigned responsibilities, tasks, and authorities accurately and bear responsibility for the performance of their tasks and authorities according to this Decree and relevant laws; they shall wear uniforms, insignia, forest ranger badges, and nameplates as prescribed.

2. Request relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals to provide information, documents, evidence, inspect the scene, and apply measures to prevent administrative violations as prescribed by law.

3. Handle violations of forestry laws according to the provisions of laws on administrative handling and criminal proceedings.

4. Be equipped with and use weapons, support tools, uniforms, means of transportation, and specialized equipment as prescribed by law;

5. Perform other tasks and authorities assigned according to the provisions of law.

Section 2. FOREST RANGER ORGANIZATION

Article 8. Central Forest Ranger Organization [14]

The Forest Ranger Department is an administrative organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, assisting the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in performing state management functions regarding forest management, protection, fire prevention and firefighting, and ensuring compliance with forestry laws.

Article 9. Provincial Forest Ranger Organization [15]

The provincial Forest Ranger Sub-department is an administrative organization under the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, assisting the Director of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in performing state management functions regarding forest management, protection, fire prevention and firefighting, ensuring compliance with forestry laws, and implementing other forestry tasks within the province when authorized by competent state agencies.

Article 10. District Forest Ranger Organization

1.[16] The district Forest Ranger Station is an administrative organization under the provincial Forest Ranger Sub-department, assisting the Head of the Provincial Forest Ranger Sub-department and the Chairman of the People's Committee of the district in performing state management functions regarding forest management, protection, fire prevention and firefighting, ensuring compliance with forestry laws, and implementing other forestry tasks within the district when authorized by competent state agencies.

The district Forest Ranger Station has a supporting unit which is the Forest Ranger Post.

2. Criteria for Establishing District-level Forest Ranger Stations:

a) Having a forest area of 3,000 hectares or more;

b) Having a forest area less than 3,000 hectares but necessary to implement requirements and tasks related to forest management, protection, ensuring compliance with forestry laws, fire prevention and firefighting, forest development, forest utilization, wood processing, trade in forest products, and other forestry tasks within the area;

c) In cases where the criteria set out in points a and b of this clause are not met, a multi-district Forest Ranger Station shall be established.

3. Based on the criteria for establishing district-level Forest Ranger Stations and the requirements and tasks of forest management and other forestry tasks at the local level, the Provincial People's Committee decides to establish, reorganize, or dissolve district-level Forest Ranger Stations and multi-district Forest Ranger Stations.

Article 11. Forest Ranger Organizations for Special Purpose Forests and Protective Forests [17]

1. The Forest Ranger Station for Special Purpose Forests and the Forest Ranger Station for Protective Forests are administrative organizations under the Forest Ranger Department for centrally managed special purpose forests and protective forests; under the provincial Forest Ranger Sub-department for locally managed special purpose forests and protective forests.

The Forest Ranger Station for Special Purpose Forests and the Forest Ranger Station for Protective Forests have a supporting unit which is the Forest Ranger Post.

2. Criteria for Establishing Forest Ranger Stations for Special Purpose Forests and Protective Forests:

a) The Forest Ranger Station for Special Purpose Forests is established in National Parks;

b) The Forest Ranger Station for Special Purpose Forests is established in nature reserves and species and habitat conservation areas with an area of 15,000 hectares or more;

c) The Forest Ranger Station for Protective Forests is established in headwater protective forests, windbreak forests, sand dune stabilization forests, wave barrier and land reclamation forests with an area of 20,000 hectares or more.

3. Based on the criteria for establishing Forest Ranger Stations for Special Purpose Forests and Protective Forests and the requirements and tasks of forest management, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development decides to establish, reorganize, or dissolve Forest Ranger Stations for Special Purpose Forests and Protective Forests under central management; the Provincial People's Committee decides to establish, reorganize, or dissolve Forest Ranger Stations for Special Purpose Forests and Protective Forests under local management.

Section 3. EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE OPERATIONS AND REGULATIONS, POLICIES FOR FOREST RANGERS

Article 12. Equipment to ensure operations for Forest Rangers

1. Forest Rangers shall be uniformly equipped with uniforms, ranger insignia, arm patches, rank badges, flags, traditional banners, and ranger certification papers:

a) The forest ranger uniform includes autumn-winter clothing, spring-summer clothing, ceremonial attire, and accompanying accessories;

b) The ranger insignia is attached to the hat;

c) The arm patch is attached to the left sleeve;

d) The rank badge is attached to the shoulder strap or collar;

đ) The flag is attached to patrol and inspection vehicles of the Forest Rangers;

e) The traditional banner is used during commemorative meetings marking the traditional day of the Forest Rangers, and when receiving high honors bestowed by the Party and State;

g) The ranger certification paper is issued to forest ranger civil servants to perform their duties and powers as prescribed by law; it serves as proof that the holder is a forest ranger civil servant performing their duties.

Attached hereto as Appendix I of this Decree is the specification on uniforms, ranger insignia, arm patches, rank badges, flags, traditional banners, and ranger certification papers.

2. Forest Rangers shall be provided with and use weapons and support tools as prescribed by law; they shall also be equipped with advanced and modern specialized means and devices to perform tasks related to forest management, monitoring forest conditions, preventing and extinguishing forest fires, patrolling, inspecting, combating, preventing, and handling violations of laws in forestry.

3. Funding to ensure the operations of Forest Rangers shall be allocated from the state budget and other sources as prescribed by law.

a) The central budget shall ensure regular operational funding, procurement, and provision of military weapons, support tools, specialized means and devices, and uniforms for centrally-managed Forest Rangers;

b) Local budgets shall ensure regular operational funding, procurement, and provision of military weapons, support tools, specialized means and devices, and uniforms for locally-managed Forest Rangers.

Article 13. Regulations and Policies for Forest Rangers

1. Forest Rangers shall enjoy salary scales based on rank, grade, position, and other benefits as prescribed by law.

2.[18] In cases where Forest Rangers sacrifice or are injured while directly performing their duties, competent authorities shall consider recognizing them as martyrs or persons entitled to benefits similar to those for disabled veterans based on conditions and criteria stipulated at point g and point i, Clause 1, Article 14 and point g and point i, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for Persons Contributing to the Revolution.

Chapter III. TASKS, POWERS, AND ASSURANCE OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SPECIALIZED FORCE TO PROTECT FORESTS OF THE FOREST OWNERS

Article 14. Tasks and Powers of the Specialized Force to Protect Forests

1. To patrol and inspect the protection of forests and land designated for forestry purposes; implement preventive measures to stop acts of deforestation, encroachment on forests, illegal logging, and other violations of laws concerning forest management and protection within the assigned area.

2. To organize the implementation of fire prevention and firefighting plans and measures; coordinate in publicizing and mobilizing local residents to participate in forest protection and firefighting activities.

3. To promptly report to the forest owner and the Forest Ranger agency about the situation of forest protection; comply with the direct guidance and management of the forest owner and the professional supervision and direction of the Forest Ranger agency; strictly adhere to all legal regulations while performing duties.

4. To inspect and prevent violations of laws concerning forest management, protection, and development, and forest product management; prepare initial inspection records, secure the scene, preserve evidence of violations, and promptly report to competent authorities for handling according to the law.

5. To use support tools, uniforms, means, and specialized equipment as prescribed by law.

6. To perform other tasks assigned by the forest owner.

Article 15. Organization of the Specialized Forest Protection Force

1. The Management Board of Specialized Forests, the Management Board of Protective Forests where the Forest Ranger Organization has not been established; enterprises, state organizations, non-military organizations that have been assigned forests, rented forests and forest land by the State shall organize the Specialized Forest Protection Force.

2. The Specialized Forest Protection Force consists of civil servants and contractual workers; the number of civil servants and contractual workers shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 16. Ensuring the Operation of the Specialized Forest Protection Force

1. The Specialized Forest Protection Force shall be equipped with support tools, means, specialized equipment, labor protection gear, and other necessary operational equipment to protect forests, prevent and extinguish forest fires; they shall be provided uniforms in accordance with Appendix II attached to this Decree.

2. Regulations and policies for the Specialized Forest Protection Force:

a) Civil servants belonging to the Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner shall enjoy salary and other benefits as prescribed by law;

b) Contractual workers shall be guaranteed salary and other benefits by the forest owner in accordance with the labor contract and the provisions of the law;

c)[19] The Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner who is directly performing duties and is killed or injured shall be entitled to regulations and policies as prescribed by the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for Persons with Merit in the Revolution.

3. The Specialized Forest Protection Force shall be trained professionally and operationally on forest management and protection, forest development; priority shall be given to patrolling, inspection, forest protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, pest control, prevention and suppression of illegal acts under forest management and protection laws; management and use of support tools in accordance with the law.

4. Funding to ensure activities of the Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner:

a) For the forest owner being a public service unit, the operating funds shall be implemented in accordance with the law on the operation of public service units;

b) For other forest owners, they shall self-fund the operating costs of the Specialized Forest Protection Force in accordance with the law.

Article 17. Responsibilities of the Forest Owner towards the Specialized Forest Protection Force

1. Directly manage and direct the activities of the Specialized Forest Protection Force; organize the construction of the Specialized Forest Protection Force with sufficient capacity and quality to meet the requirements of tasks; coordinate with the Forest Rangers and other forces in the area to protect the forest.

2. Ensure funding for operations, salaries, and other benefits; working means and equipment, support tools, uniforms, professional training for the Specialized Forest Protection Force in accordance with the regulations.

Chapter IV. IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS[20]

Article 18. Responsibilities of Agencies

1. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

a) Uniformly guide professional and operational activities, inspect and supervise the activities of Forest Rangers nationwide;

b) Coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to establish professional standards for the Forest Ranger civil servant position; coordinate to advise competent authorities to establish regulations and policies for Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner;

c) Manage staffing, ensure funding and operational conditions for Forest Rangers and civil servants of the Specialized Forest Protection Force belonging to centrally-managed public service units in accordance with the regulations.

2. Responsibilities of relevant ministries and sectors:

Based on their functions, tasks, and powers, relevant ministries and sectors shall coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement the provisions of this Decree.

3. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the provincial level:

a) Guide, inspect, and supervise the activities of Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner in the locality;

b) Guide the People's Committees at the district and commune levels to implement measures to manage and protect forests in their areas; coordinate between Forest Rangers, the Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner, and related agencies in the area, mobilize forces and means of organizations and individuals within their authority to protect forests, prevent and extinguish forest fires;

c) Manage staffing, ensure funding, and operational conditions for Forest Rangers and civil servants of the Specialized Forest Protection Force belonging to locally-managed public service units in accordance with the regulations.

Article 19. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from February 15, 2019.

2. Decree No. 119/2006/NĐ-CP dated October 16, 2006 of the Government on the Organization and Activities of Forest Rangers; Decision No. 44/2016/QĐ-TTg dated October 19, 2016 of the Prime Minister on the Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner shall cease to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect.

3. Abolish Articles 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BNNPTNT dated March 28, 2017 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on professional training and uniforms for the Specialized Forest Protection Force of the forest owner.

4.[21] In cases where the normative legal documents cited in this Decree are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be applied according to the amended, supplemented, or replaced documents.

Article 20. Transitional Provisions

In cases where the Management Board of Specialized Forests, the Management Board of Protective Forests currently have Forest Ranger Stations which will be dissolved and converted to the organizational model of the Specialized Forest Protection Force in accordance with the provisions set out in Article 15 of this Decree civil servants who have been classified as Forest Rangers and are currently receiving occupational allowances and seniority allowances shall continue to retain these allowances at their current levels when they are reassigned to be part of the specialized forest protection force directly involved in forest protection tasks until new policies on salary and allowances replace the existing ones.

Article 21. Responsibility for Implementation

The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the central government are responsible for implementing this Decree./.

[1] Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2019 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, is based on the following:

"Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Forestry Law dated November 15, 2017;

At the request of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development;"

[2] This Clause has been amended and supplemented according to point a, Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[3] This Point has been amended and supplemented according to point b, Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[4] This Point has been added according to point c, Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[5] This Point has been added according to point a, Clause 2, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[6] The name of this Clause has been amended and supplemented according to point b, Clause 2, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[7] This Point has been added according to point c, Clause 2, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[8] The name of this Clause has been amended and supplemented according to point d, Clause 3, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[9] This Point has been added according to point đ, Clause 2, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[10] This Point has been added according to point đ, Clause 2, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[11] This Point has been amended and supplemented according to point a, Clause 3, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[12] This Clause has been amended according to point b, Clause 3, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and the Specialized Forest Protection Force, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[13] This provision is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 4, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[14] This provision is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 5, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[15] This provision is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 6, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[16] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 7, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[17] This provision is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 8, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[18] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 9, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[19] This point is added pursuant to Clause 10, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.

[20] Article 2 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025, provides as follows:

"Article 2. Implementation Provisions

1. This Decree takes effect from February 2, 2025.

2. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of agencies under the Government, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.”

[21] This clause is added pursuant to Clause 11, Article 1 of Decree No. 159/2024/NĐ-CP dated December 18, 2024 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 01/2019/NĐ-CP dated January 1, 2024 of the Government on Forest Rangers and Specialized Forest Protection Forces, which takes effect from February 2, 2025.