Decree No. 119/2006/NĐ-CP On the organization and operation of Forest Rangers

DECREE

On the organization and operation of Forest Rangers

______________

THE GOVERNMENT

Based on the Government Organization Law dated November 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Forest Protection and Development Law dated December 3, 2004;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

DECREE

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Thông tư này quy định chi tiết khoản 4 Điều 38 Luật Thủy sản số 18/2017/QH14 đã được sửa đổi, bổ sung tại điểm c khoản 21 Điều 14 Luật số 146/2025/QH15.

This Decree provides detailed guidance on the implementation of provisions in Chapter VI of the Forest Protection and Development Law 2004 regarding the organizational system; the tasks, powers of forest ranger agencies; the tasks, powers, responsibilities of forest rangers, local forest rangers, and forest ranger volunteers; conditions ensuring the operation of Forest Rangers; coordination relations between Forest Rangers and related organizations; management, direction, and control over Forest Rangers.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

This Decree applies to state agencies, organizations, individuals within Vietnam, and foreign organizations and individuals on Vietnamese territory related to Forest Ranger activities.

Article 2. Principles of organization and operation of Forest Rangers

1. Forest Rangers organize and operate according to the principle of unity from central to local levels in terms of expertise and operations. Forest Ranger agencies are established in areas with forests or at important points of timber trade, where concentrated timber processing takes place, as stipulated in this Decree.

2. The operation of Forest Rangers follows the leadership and unified management of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and is subject to the direction and control of People's Committees at all levels for forest protection activities within their jurisdictions.

3. In forest protection activities, Forest Rangers closely coordinate with specialized agricultural and rural development agencies, units under armed forces, state agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and rely on the strength of the entire people to fulfill assigned tasks.

Chapter II

THE ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM, TASKS, POWERS

OF FOREST RANGER AGENCIES

Article 3. Organizational System of Forest Rangers

1. At the central level: The Forest Ranger General Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. At provinces and centrally-administered cities (hereinafter referred to as provinces): The Provincial Forest Ranger Service under the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

3. At districts, towns directly under provinces (hereinafter referred to as districts): The District Forest Ranger Station under the Provincial Forest Ranger Service. The District Forest Ranger Station manages local forest rangers in communes.

4. In National Parks with an area of 7,000 hectares or more, Nature Reserves, other special-use forests with an area of 15,000 hectares or more, and upstream protective forests with an area of 20,000 hectares or more and high risk of encroachment, Special-use Forest Ranger Stations and Protective Forest Ranger Stations may be established according to legal regulations.

5. The Forest Ranger organizations specified in this Article have legal personality, have their own headquarters, seals, and can open accounts at the State Treasury according to legal regulations.

Article 4. Organizational Structure of the Forest Ranger General Department

The Forest Ranger General Department has a Director and Deputy Directors, an assisting machinery for the Director; forest ranger units for protection and fire prevention and firefighting; forest ranger stations in national parks under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; affiliated public service units.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development decides on establishment, merger, dissolution; specifies in detail the tasks, powers, and organizational structure of units under the Forest Ranger General Department.

任务和职权的翻译已经完成。

建议和协助部长执行职能的描述已经翻译。

制定专业规范性文件的职责已经翻译。

制定长期、五年和年度计划以及防止违法行为的方案已经翻译。

制定技术标准和管理规则的职责已经翻译。

制定职业头衔和人员编制的职责已经翻译。

指导实施法律和提供统一的专业指导的职责已经翻译。

提出政策和措施的职责已经翻译。

规划全国森林产品控制网络的职责已经翻译。

国际合作的职责已经翻译。

组织、指导和提供专业指导的职责已经翻译。

防止非法砍伐和破坏森林行为的职责已经翻译。

组织森林火灾风险预测和建立灭火队伍的职责已经翻译。

统计和清点森林资源的职责已经翻译。

协助部长管理特殊用途和保护林地的职责已经翻译。

组织检查和处理违法活动的职责已经翻译。

指导各级部门履行管理责任的职责已经翻译。

组织检查和解决投诉举报的职责已经翻译。

指导处理行政违法行为和调查犯罪行为的职责已经翻译。

统一管理和发放处理违法活动印章的职责已经翻译。

组织信息传播、宣传和法律教育的职责已经翻译。

建设和培训森林管理人员的职责已经翻译。

统一管理和指导全国森林管理人员的专业技能的职责已经翻译。

组织培训和提升森林管理人员专业技能的职责已经翻译。

统一管理制服和装备的职责已经翻译。

组织研究和应用科学技术进步的职责已经翻译。

执行其他任务的职责已经翻译。

Article 6. Organizational Structure of the Provincial Forest Protection Agency

The Provincial Forest Protection Agency shall have a Director and Deputy Directors; an administrative support staff for the Director and subordinate units.

The People's Committee of the province shall specify in detail the tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Forest Protection Agency in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 7. Tasks and Powers of the Provincial Forest Protection Agency

1. Advising competent authorities on forest protection and ensuring compliance with laws on forest protection and development at the local level:

a) Drafting specialized legal documents on forest protection and timber management within the jurisdiction as prescribed by law;

b) Drafting long-term, five-year, and annual plans for forest protection and timber management; plans and projects to prevent and combat illegal acts in forest management and protection, timber harvesting and utilization, and forest fire prevention and extinguishing at the local level;

c) Mobilizing armed forces; mobilizing other personnel and equipment from units and individuals stationed in the area to promptly respond to forest fires and serious incidents of forest destruction when necessary and urgent;

d) Directing, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of laws, strategies, plans, standards, procedures, regulations, systems, and policies after their promulgation; providing professional guidance on forest protection and timber management at the local level;

đ) Proposing to competent authorities decisions on necessary policies and measures to implement laws, policies, and systems for forest protection at the local level.

2. Organizing and directing forest protection at the local level:

a) Directing and organizing the implementation of measures against illegal logging and other unlawful acts that harm forests and forest land;

b) Forecasting forest fire risks; building specialized forest fire prevention and extinguishing forces; inventorying and surveying forests and forest land; participating in forest pest control;

c) Managing special-use and protective forests within the jurisdiction; directly organizing the protection of special-use and protective forests under local management;

d) Directing and coordinating forest protection activities with forest protection forces of forest owners, including community-based forest protection forces in the area.

3. Ensuring compliance with laws on forest protection and development at the local level:

a) Inspecting and guiding levels and sectors in fulfilling state management responsibilities over forests and forest land within the jurisdiction;

b) Directing and organizing, inspecting, and resolving complaints, denunciations, and anti-corruption efforts within the local forest protection force and in the field of forest management, forest protection, timber harvesting, and utilization according to the law;

c) Managing, directing, inspecting, and organizing the implementation of administrative violation handling activities; initiating criminal investigations of illegal acts concerning forest management, forest protection, and timber management according to the law;

d) Protecting the rights and legitimate interests of forest owners when their forests are infringed upon.

4. Organizing information dissemination, publicity, popularization, and legal education on forest protection and development at the local level.

建设和培训森林管理人员的职责已经翻译。

a) Managing and directing the operations of subordinate units in accordance with the law;

b) Organizing training and professional development for forest rangers and local forest protection forces;

c) Issuing, managing uniforms, insignia, badges, signs, flags, ranger cards, military weapons, auxiliary tools, and specialized equipment for the local forest protection force; issuing administrative violation handling seals in the field of forest management and protection, timber management.

6. Organizing research and application of scientific and technological advancements in the activities of the local forest protection force.

7. Managing organizational cadres, staffing, budget, technical facilities, implementing salary systems, and incentive, reward, and disciplinary policies for local forest rangers in accordance with the law.

8. Accepting professional guidance; complying with statistical reporting systems as directed by the Forest Protection General Department.

9. Fulfilling other tasks related to forestry development assigned by competent state agencies.

Article 8. Organizational Structure of the Forest Ranger Station of the District

The Forest Ranger Station of the District shall have a Station Director and Deputy Directors; the Station's office, forest ranger stations in the area; and forest ranger stations at forest gates.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides on the establishment, merger, dissolution; specifies the specific tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Forest Ranger Station of the District in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 9. Tasks and Powers of the Forest Ranger Station of the District

1. Advising and assisting the Chairman of the District People's Committee in drafting specialized normative legal documents on forest protection and development, forest product management within the area; mobilizing armed units, forces, and other means of units and individuals stationed in the area to promptly prevent and rescue forest fires and serious deforestation incidents when necessary and urgent.

2. Cooperating with relevant state agencies, units under the armed forces, forest protection forces of the forest owners, to implement forest protection within the area:

a) Protecting forests, preventing and extinguishing forest fires, developing forests; preventing and controlling forest pests and diseases;

b) Inspecting and preventing violations of state regulations on forest management, forest protection, and forest product management; organizing patrols and crackdowns on organizations and individuals destroying forests, illegally exploiting, storing, buying, selling, and transporting forest products, and hunting wild animals;

c) Propagandizing and educating the public about laws, systems, and policies on forest management and development, forest product exploitation and utilization; mobilizing the people to protect and develop forests; building mass forces for forest protection and fire prevention and extinguishing; training professional skills for mass teams for forest protection and fire prevention and extinguishing;

d) Guiding forest owners and local communities to build and implement plans and schemes for forest protection, fire prevention and extinguishing, and forest protection conventions;

đ) Cooperating with the Specialized Forest Protection Station and the Protective Forest Protection Station in forest protection work and forest product management within the area;

e) Implementing other tasks related to forestry development assigned by competent state agencies;

3. Organizing, directing, and managing professional activities:

a) Managing organization, staffing, budget, technical equipment, implementing salary systems and incentive, reward, and disciplinary policies for civil servants of the unit in accordance with the law;

b) Arranging, directing, and inspecting forest rangers at commune level; monitoring forest and forest land conditions;

c) Organizing, directing, and managing the activities of forest ranger stations;

d) Handling or referring cases of violation within the scope of forest management, forest protection, and forest product management to competent authorities for handling according to the law;

đ) Inspecting the implementation of plans, designs, business procedures, and exploitation processes;

e) Being subject to direction, management, compliance with statistical reporting systems, and performing other tasks assigned by the Chief of the Provincial Forest Protection Service and the District People's Committee.

Article 10. Organizational Structure of the Specialized Forest Protection Station and the Protective Forest Protection Station

1. The Specialized Forest Protection Station and the Protective Forest Protection Station shall have a Station Director and Deputy Directors; the Station's office; and forest ranger stations at forest gates.

2. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development decides on the establishment, merger, and dissolution of Forest Protection Stations under national parks directly under the Ministry.

3. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides on the establishment, merger, and dissolution of Specialized Forest Protection Stations and Protective Forest Protection Stations under the province in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 11. Tasks and Authorities of the Forest Protection Station for Special Purpose Forests and Protective Forests

1. Organize the protection of forest resources, prevent illegal logging; forest fire prevention and extinguishing; control and prevent forest pests in special purpose forests or protective forests.

2. Inspect and handle violations of laws related to forests as prescribed by law.

3. Promote, publicize, and mobilize the people to participate in protecting the forest.

4. Organize, direct, and manage Forest Protection Stations in special purpose forests or protective forests.

5. Conduct patrols and crackdown on organizations and individuals destroying forests, illegally exploiting, storing, buying, selling, transporting forest products, and hunting wild animals. In necessary cases, coordinate with the Forest Protection Station of the district where they are located to advise the People's Committee at the district level to mobilize military forces, other forces and means from organizations and individuals in the area to extinguish forest fires and prevent illegal deforestation.

6. Manage organizational structure, staffing, budget, technical equipment, implement salary systems and incentive policies, rewards, and disciplinary measures for civil servants of the unit as prescribed by law.

7. Be subject to direction, management, comply with reporting and statistical systems, and perform other tasks assigned by the Director of the Forest Protection Department or the Provincial Forest Protection Service Director.

8. Implement tasks related to forest construction and development within the scope of special purpose forests and protective forests according to the division of labor by competent authorities.

Chapter III

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FOREST RANGERS, LOCAL AREA FOREST RANGERS AT THE COMMUNE LEVEL, AND ASSISTANT FOREST RANGERS

Article 12. Rights and Responsibilities of Forest Rangers when Performing Official Duties

1. Powers:

a) Require organizations and individuals related to provide necessary information and documents for inspection and investigation; conduct on-site inspections, inspect wood processing facilities, collect evidence as prescribed by law;

b) Have the right to stop road and waterway transportation vehicles when there is evidence that they are carrying illegal forest products and wildlife for inspection; inspect forest products and wildlife at railway stations, airports, and seaports as prescribed by law;

c) Impose administrative penalties and apply preventive measures against administrative violations as prescribed by law;

d) The Director of the Forest Protection Department, the Provincial Forest Protection Service Director, the Head of the District Forest Protection Station, the Head of the Special Purpose Forest Protection Station, and the Head of the Protective Forest Protection Station have the authority to initiate criminal proceedings and conduct criminal investigations into violations of forest-related laws as prescribed by law;

e) Use firearms and support tools, service dogs as prescribed by law.

2. Responsibilities:

a) Comply strictly with laws on forest protection and development, this Decree, and laws on cadres and civil servants;

b) Perform their functions and duties as assigned; wear uniforms, insignias, badges, and identification when performing tasks;

c) Forest rangers who fail to fully perform their assigned tasks and duties shall bear responsibility as prescribed by law.

Article 13. Tasks of Local Area Forest Rangers at the Commune Level

1. Local area forest rangers at the commune level are state civil servants assigned by the District Forest Protection Station to work in communes, wards, and towns with forests, under the management and direction of the Head of the District Forest Protection Station, while also being directed by the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee.

The number of forest rangers at the commune level depends on the scale of forest area and the nature of forest protection work.

2. Local area forest rangers at the commune level have rights and responsibilities as stipulated in Article 12 of this Decree and the following tasks:

a) Advise the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee to perform state management functions over forests and forestry land; establish community forest protection teams, forest fire prevention and extinguishing teams, and forest pest control teams; develop plans and programs for forest management, protection, and development; guide and inspect the implementation of approved plans; mobilize civilian defense forces and other forces and means for forest fire prevention and extinguishing and preventing illegal deforestation;

b) Statistically survey and inventory forests and forestry land in the assigned area; inspect the use of forests by forest owners in the area; confirm the legality of forest products upon request of forest owners in the area;

c) Coordinate with forest protection forces in the area in protecting forests and preventing forest fires; guide and supervise forest owners in protecting and developing forests;

d) Guide and mobilize village and hamlet communities to build and implement forest protection regulations in the area;

e) Publicize and mobilize the people to comply with laws on forest protection and development;

f) Organize inspections, detect, and promptly take measures to prevent violations of laws on forest protection and development; handle administrative violations within their authority and assist the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee in handling administrative violations in forest management and forest product management as prescribed by law;

g) In their activities, local area forest rangers at the commune level report and seek guidance from the Head of the District Forest Protection Station and the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee; be subject to professional direction from the Head of the District Forest Protection Station, forestry specialized agencies, and supervision by the Commune People's Committee;

h) Perform other tasks related to forestry development as assigned by the Head of the District Forest Protection Station and the Commune People's Committee.

Article 14. Forest Rangers' Collaborators

1. Forest Rangers' collaborators are Vietnamese citizens who have a relationship of providing basic information and supporting the activities of Forest Rangers in accordance with the provisions of the law, recognized by the Forest Ranger agencies at all levels.

2. Collaborators are reimbursed for their activity expenses by the Forest Ranger agency and enjoy the reporting information regime as prescribed by the State; their source of information is guaranteed confidentiality; their rights and legitimate interests are protected in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Chapter IV

CONDITIONS FOR ENSURING THE ACTIVITIES OF FOREST RANGERS

Article 15. Staffing and Budget

1. The staffing of the Forest Ranger force belongs to the state administrative establishment. The staffing quota for Forest Rangers is calculated on average nationwide, with one Forest Ranger position for every thousand hectares of forest.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to specify in detail the total staffing quota for Forest Rangers for each province and centrally governed city.

2. The budget for the activities of the Forest Ranger force is provided from the state budget annually according to the plan.

a) The central budget provides:

- Funding for the activities of the Forest Protection Department and its subordinate units;

- Funding for printing and distributing administrative penalty stamps, purchasing military weapons and equipment for the national Forest Ranger force.

b) The local budget provides funding for the activities of the local Forest Ranger force in accordance with the laws on the state budget.

Article 16. Equipment for Forest Rangers

Forest Rangers are equipped with devices like state administrative agencies and specialized equipment including: communication means; means and equipment for forest fire prevention and control and forest pest prevention; special inspection and supervision means; weapons, support tools, and service dogs.

Article 17. Benefits and Policies for Forest Rangers

1. Civil servants and employees working in the Forest Ranger sector are entitled to salary, seniority allowances, occupational preference allowances, and other allowances as prescribed by the State.

2. Civil servants and employees of the Forest Ranger sector, contractual workers in Forest Ranger agencies, if injured or sacrificed while performing their duties, are recognized as war invalids or martyrs in accordance with the current regulations of the State.

Article 18. Uniforms for Forest Rangers

1. When performing official duties, Forest Rangers are provided with uniforms:

a) Forest Ranger insignia attached to the hat;

b) Forest Ranger rank badge attached to the shoulder strap;

c) Forest Ranger emblem attached to the collar;

d) Forest Ranger badge attached above the left chest pocket flap;

đ) Forest Ranger relief attached to the left sleeve;

e) Winter, summer, and ceremonial uniforms for Forest Rangers are made in a uniform style and color.

2. Attached to this Decree is an Appendix regarding the Forest Ranger insignia, rank badges, emblems, badges, flags, traditional flags, reliefs, and uniforms of Forest Rangers.

3. It is strictly prohibited to forge the uniforms of the Forest Ranger force or to misuse the Forest Ranger uniforms for other purposes.

Article 19. Mobilization of Forces and Means

1. In cases where it is necessary to strengthen forces and means to promptly prevent illegal deforestation, forest fire prevention, and firefighting, the following persons have the authority to issue mobilization orders:

a) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province to mobilize forces and means within the area; relevant ministries, sectors, and social organizations mobilize their own forces and means when large-scale forest fires occur;

b) The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province issues orders to mobilize forces and means from organizations and individuals within the area;

c) The Director of the Provincial Forest Protection Branch issues orders to mobilize forces and means from local Forest Ranger agencies.

2. The agency of the person issuing the mobilization order must ensure reimbursement for the organizations and individuals mobilized in accordance with the financial management regulations of the State.

The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of National Defense to guide the reimbursement of costs for organizations and individuals mobilized for personnel and means in accordance with the financial management regulations of the State.

3. Organizations and individuals mobilized for forces and means must comply with the mobilization orders of authorized persons.

Chapter V

STATE MANAGEMENT OVER FOREST RANGERS

Article 20. Responsibilities of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible to the Government for leading and managing the Forest Protection Force nationwide uniformly and performing the following tasks:

1. Uniformly directing on professional and technical matters for the Forest Protection Force throughout the country;

2. Directing the inspection of the activities of the Forest Protection Force;

3. Directing and inspecting the management and supply of uniforms, insignia, badges, flags, signs, forest inspector cards; weapons, tools, specialized equipment, and administrative violation handling stamps for the Forest Protection Force;

4. Taking the lead and coordinating with Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies to establish standards for the professional and technical qualifications of the Forest Protection Force; detailing the working relationships between the Forest Protection Agency and specialized agencies under agriculture and rural development at all levels; establishing the total staffing for the Forest Protection Force and allocating specific staffing for the Forest Protection Force according to the requirements of forest management and protection in each locality; providing detailed guidance on the functions, tasks, and organizational structure of local Forest Protection organizations; submitting to the Government remuneration policies and specialized equipment for the Forest Protection Force;

5. Directing the training and capacity building for the Forest Protection Force civil servants;

6. Specifying the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Forest Protection General Department.

Article 21. Responsibilities of Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels

1. The Chairperson of the Provincial People's Committee shall be responsible to the Government for forest protection within their jurisdiction; directing and inspecting the activities of the Forest Protection Force locally, ensuring strict compliance with laws and regulations stipulated in this Decree and performing the following tasks:

a) Directing and inspecting the activities of the Forest Protection Force locally;

b) Directing the coordination of activities between the Forest Protection Force and related agencies within their jurisdiction;

c) Managing local Forest Protection Force civil servants; ensuring financial resources and operational conditions for the local Forest Protection Force in accordance with the law;

d) Establishing the responsibilities of the District People's Committee and Commune People's Committee regarding forest management and protection locally; the cooperation between the Forest Protection Force and agencies, units, and political-social organizations within their jurisdiction in forest protection, forest product management, and forest fire prevention and extinguishing;

e) Promoting, disseminating, and educating the public about laws on forest management and protection, combating illegal acts against forests, and supervising and assisting the activities of the local Forest Protection Force;

f) Specifying the tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Forest Protection Branch in accordance with guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

2. The Chairperson of the District People's Committee has the responsibility to:

a) Direct and inspect the activities of the Forest Protection Force within the district to fulfill tasks related to forest protection and development within the district;

b) Direct the coordination of activities between the Forest Protection Force and related agencies within the district;

c) Promote and educate the public to comply with regulations on forest management and protection, combat illegal acts against forests, and supervise and assist the activities of the local Forest Protection Force.

3. The Chairperson of the Commune People's Committee has the responsibility to:

a) Direct and inspect the activities of the Forest Protection Force within the commune to fulfill tasks related to forest protection and development within the commune;

b) Direct the coordination of activities between the Forest Protection Force within the commune and organizations and individuals related within the commune;

c) Promote and educate the public to comply with regulations on forest management and protection, combat illegal acts against forests.

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for organizing management and protection activities of forests in accordance with this Decree; coordinating the activities of forest rangers with relevant agricultural and rural development agencies within their jurisdiction.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 23. Effectiveness of Implementation

This Decree shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 24. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant Ministries to guide the implementation of this Decree.

2. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees directly under the central government shall be responsible for enforcing this Decree./.