Decision No. 06/2007/QD-BNN on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Forest Protection Department

Pursuant to …;

Regulations on functions, tasks, powers

and the organizational structure of the Forest Protection Department

______________

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

/QĐ-TTg dated 0

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Department of Personnel Organization,

DECISION:

Article 1. Position and function

The Forest Protection Department is an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, assisting the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in state management in the specialized field of forest protection, ensuring compliance with laws and enforcement of laws on forest protection and development throughout the country.

The Forest Protection Department has legal personality, its own seal, and receives funding from the state budget, and is entitled to open an account at the State Treasury.

The headquarters of the Forest Protection Department is located in Hanoi City.

Article 2. Tasks and Authorities

1. Advising the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to perform state management functions regarding forest protection and ensuring compliance with laws on forest protection and development throughout the country as follows:

a) Drafting and perfecting specialized legal documents on forest protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, nature conservation, biodiversity, and wildlife and plant management;

b) Drafting long-term, five-year, and annual plans for forest protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, nature conservation, biodiversity, and wildlife and plant management;

c) Drafting technical standards, procedures, regulations, and management rules on forest protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, nature conservation, biodiversity, and wildlife and plant management;

d) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant agencies to carry out statistical work, forest inventory, monitoring forest changes and forestry land, organizing assessments, and submitting to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for annual publication;

đ) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant agencies to draft job titles, remuneration policies, staffing norms, and total staffing levels for forest rangers;

e) Directing, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of laws, strategies, plans, standards, and procedures on forest protection and timber management uniformly throughout the country;

g) Advising on necessary measures to implement laws, policies, and systems in the field of forest protection and timber management;

h) Planning the network of timber control nationwide;

i) Advising the Central Steering Committee on urgent issues in forest protection and fire prevention and extinguishing, mobilizing forces and means of forest ranger agencies to promptly prevent serious deforestation incidents and extinguish forest fires when necessary according to the law;

k) International cooperation in the fields of forest fire prevention and extinguishing, forest protection, nature conservation, biodiversity, and international trade in wildlife and plants.

2. Organizing and directing professional activities in forest protection and ensuring compliance with laws on forest protection and development throughout the country:

a) Issuing documents on management practices; providing guidance on professional and technical matters related to forest protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, nature conservation, biodiversity, and wildlife and plant management;

b) Directing, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of measures against illegal logging and other unlawful acts that harm forests and forestry land;

c) Organizing early warnings of forest fire risks, early detection of forest fires; building specialized firefighting forces; participating in forest pest control;

3. Organizing and directing inspections and handling violations of laws on forest protection and development throughout the country:

a) Coordinating to guide and inspect the implementation of responsibilities for state management of forests and forestry land by all levels and sectors nationwide;

b) Directing, inspecting, resolving complaints and grievances, and handling administrative violations in the field of forest management, forest protection, and timber management according to the law;

c) Directing, inspecting, and guiding activities to handle administrative violations; investigating criminal offenses related to forest management, forest protection, and timber management by local forest ranger agencies according to the law;

d) Managing, purchasing, and equipping military weapons and support tools; printing and distributing various types of seals for handling administrative violations in the field of forest protection and timber management, special transportation permits for rare forest products, wild animals, and plants, and import and export permits for wild animals and plants according to the law;

đ) Managing and guiding the purchase and use of uniforms, insignia, badges, signs, flags, and ranger cards; specialized equipment for local forest ranger units;

e) Managing funds when the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development mobilizes forces and means to extinguish forest fires and prevent illegal logging;

4. Organizing information dissemination, promotion, and legal education on forest protection and development.

5. Organizing the construction of a clean and strong forest ranger force; training and enhancing professional skills for forest officials and forest protection forces.

6. Organizing research and application of scientific and technological progress in professional activities; drafting programs and projects for international cooperation in forest resource protection; participating in negotiations to sign and join international conventions and organizations in the field of forest protection; organizing the implementation of international cooperation activities according to the assignment of the Minister.

7. Managing Regional Forest Protection Agencies, and Forest Ranger Stations of National Parks directly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Managing National Parks directly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development according to separate decisions of the Minister.

8. Performing the duties of the Office of the Central Steering Committee for urgent issues in forest protection and fire prevention and extinguishing; the authority managing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); the Office of CITES Vietnam; representing Vietnam in the Global Tiger Forum, the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, and other international commitments assigned by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

9. Participate in the management of activities of non-governmental organizations in the field of forest resource protection according to the division of labor by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

10. Implement administrative reform, comply with information and reporting systems as prescribed, including regular and extraordinary reports.

11. Manage the organization, staff, finances, and assets of the Forest Protection Department and its subordinate units according to the分级授权 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the provisions of the State.

12. Carry out other tasks assigned or delegated by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in accordance with the law.

Article 3. Organizational Structure

1. The leadership of the Forest Protection Department consists of the Director and Deputy Directors appointed and relieved from duty by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Director of the Forest Protection Department oversees the operations of the Forest Protection Department and is responsible to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the law for the performance of the Forest Protection Department's duties.

The Deputy Director of the Forest Protection Department assists the Director of the Forest Protection Department and is responsible to the Director of the Forest Protection Department and the law for the performance of the assigned duties.

2. Management structure

a) Forest Protection and Fire Prevention and Control Division;

b) Nature Conservation Division;

c) Inspection and Legal Affairs Division;

d) Information Technology and Statistics Division;

đ) Organization and Force Building Division;

e) Administrative and General Services Division;

g) Special Task Force.

The Director of the Forest Protection Department defines the functions, responsibilities, and staffing arrangements of the Divisions according to the authorized establishment provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Forest Protection Department; promulgates work regulations of the Department and coordination mechanisms among subordinate units.

3. Subordinate units:

a) Regional Forest Protection Agencies;

b) Forest Protection Stations under National Parks directly affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

4. Public Service Organizations:

To be implemented according to the Decision of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 4. Responsibilities for Implementation

1. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. It replaces Decision No. 92/2003/QĐ-BNN dated September 4, 2003, of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the functions, responsibilities, authorities, and organizational structure of the Forest Protection Department.

2. The Director of the Forest Protection Department shall direct, guide, and organize the implementation of this Decision.

3. The Director of the Forest Protection Department, the Head of the Office, the Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Department, the Heads of related agencies and units, and the Directors of National Parks directly affiliated with the Ministry shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.