Decree No. 42/2026/ND-CP Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of Decrees in the Forestry and Forest Protection Sector

PART I

AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING SOME ARTICLES OF THE DECREE

NO. 156/2018/NĐ-CP DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2018 OF THE GOVERNMENTPROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE FORESTRY LAW AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY DECREE NO. 91/2024/NĐ-CP,

DECREE NO. 183/2025/NĐ-CP AND DECREE NO. 227/2025/NĐ-CP

 

Article 1.AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING SOME CLAUSES OF ARTICLE 3

1. Amending and supplementing Clause 6 as follows:

“6. Exploitation for utilization means felling or digging up trees in the course of implementing forest management measures, scientific research activities; land clearance for projects when changing the purpose of forest use to another purpose; ensuring safety corridors for power transmission lines; temporarily using forests for construction of temporary works serving project construction in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 42a of this Decree; liquidation of planted forests; construction of infrastructure to serve forest protection and development in accordance with Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 51 of the Forestry Law amended and supplemented by Law No. 16/2023/QH15, Law No. 31/2024/QH15, and Law No. 146/2025/QH15 (hereinafter referred to as the Forestry Law).”

2. Supplementing Clause 14 after Clause 13 as follows:

“14. Liquidation of planted forests means financial and asset handling for planted forests damaged due to one of the cases provided for in Clause 2 of Article 26a of the Forestry Law.”

Article 2. Amending and supplementing Article 9

“Article 9. Establishment and adjustment of special-use forests

1. Conditions for establishment and adjustment of special-use forests

a) Having a plan for establishment or adjustment of special-use forests that is consistent with the national forestry planning or provincial planning;

b) Meeting the criteria for each type of special-use forest as prescribed in Article 6 of this Decree;

c) For the establishment or adjustment of boundaries and area of special-use forests: having a request letter from the People's Committee of the province (for special-use forests under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or a request letter from the People's Committee of the commune (for special-use forests under local management);

d) For the establishment of special-use forests from areas of protective forests or production forests, there is no need to follow the procedures and formalities for changing forest types as prescribed in Articles 39 and 40 of this Decree.

2. Establishment of special-use forests

a) Documents include:

The report of the Forest Management and Protection Department regarding the establishment of special-use forests located in two provinces or centrally-administered cities or more (hereinafter referred to as provinces) or the report of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the establishment of special-use forests located in one province according to Model 01 of Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

Request letter as prescribed in point c of Clause 1 hereof;

Plan for establishment of special-use forests according to Model 02 of Appendix IB issued together with this Decree (hereinafter referred to as the establishment plan);

Report on review of the establishment plan by the Review Board.

b) Procedures for establishing special-use forests located in two provinces or more:

The Forest Management and Protection Department prepares the establishment plan for special-use forests, submits it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for comments in writing from the People's Committees of the provinces where the proposed special-use forests are located and relevant agencies and units about the establishment plan; if the area is adjacent, within, or directly related to defense lands or border areas, opinions must be sought from the Ministry of National Defense; within five working days from the date of receipt of the comment request, the agencies and units requested to comment shall provide their written responses;

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the response, the Forest Management and Protection Department completes the establishment plan and sends it to the Review Board established by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the establishment plan, the Review Board completes the review report and transfers it to the Forest Management and Protection Department; if the review does not meet the requirements, a written notification with specific reasons shall be issued;

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the review report, the Forest Management and Protection Department completes the establishment plan according to the Review Board's comments and submits the dossier prescribed in point a hereof to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Within three working days from the date of receipt of the submitted dossier from the Forest Management and Protection Department, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development considers and decides on the establishment of special-use forests according to Model 03 of Appendix IB issued together with this Decree.

c) Procedures for establishing special-use forests not covered by point b hereof:

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development prepares the establishment plan for special-use forests, submits it to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province for comments in writing from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the People's Committee of the commune where the proposed special-use forests are located, and relevant agencies and units about the establishment plan; if the area is adjacent, within, or directly related to defense lands or border areas, opinions must be sought from the military agency stationed locally; within five working days from the date of receipt of the comment request, the agencies and units requested to comment shall provide their written responses;

Within five working days from the date of receiving the reply document, the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall complete the plan for establishment and submit it to the Appraisal Council established by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee;

Within five working days from the date of receiving the establishment plan, the Appraisal Council shall complete the appraisal report and transfer it to the Department of Agriculture and Environment; in case the appraisal does not meet the requirements, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

Within five working days from the date of receiving the appraisal report, the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall complete the plan and submit the dossier prescribed in point a of this clause to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee;

Within three working days from the date of receiving the complete dossier submitted by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall examine and decide on the establishment of the special-use forest area according to Model No. 03 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree.

d) The main contents of the appraisal of the establishment plan include:

The completeness of the dossier components and the contents of the establishment plan as prescribed in point a of this clause; the legal basis for implementing the establishment plan; compliance with the national forestry planning or provincial planning; meeting the criteria for each type of special-use forest as prescribed in Article 6 of this Decree; meeting the criteria for functional zones as prescribed in Clause 7 of this Article; the feasibility of implementation measures; consistency between the explanatory notes and the map of the establishment plan.

3. Adjustment of boundaries and areas of special-use forest areas

a) Dossier of the forest owner, including:

The proposal for adjusting the boundaries and areas of the special-use forest area of the forest owner according to Model No. 04 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

The document proposing the adjustment of the boundaries and areas of the special-use forest area of the Provincial People's Committee (for special-use forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or the document proposing the adjustment of the boundaries and areas of the special-use forest area of the Commune People's Committee (for special-use forest areas under local management) according to Model No. 05 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

The plan for adjusting the boundaries and areas of the special-use forest area of the forest owner according to Model No. 06 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree (hereinafter referred to as the adjustment plan);

b) Dossier submitted by the Forest Management and Inspection Service (for special-use forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or the Department of Agriculture and Environment (for special-use forest areas under local management), including:

The proposal for adjusting the boundaries and areas of the special-use forest area of the Forest Management and Inspection Service or the Department of Agriculture and Environment according to Model No. 07 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

The appraisal report on the adjustment plan of the Appraisal Council;

The dossier of the forest owner as prescribed in point a of this clause.

c) Implementation procedures:

The forest owner submits one set of dossier as prescribed in point a of this clause to the Forest Management and Inspection Service (for special-use forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or to the Department of Agriculture and Environment (for special-use forest areas under local management) through direct submission, postal service, or online at the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

After receiving the valid dossier, the Forest Management and Inspection Service or the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall implement the procedures as prescribed in point b or point c of Clause 2 of this Article, submit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for examination and decision on the adjustment of the boundaries and areas of the special-use forest area according to Model No. 08 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree, and transfer to the dossier reception unit to notify the forest owner;

d) The main contents of the appraisal of the adjustment plan include:

The completeness of the dossier components and the contents of the adjustment plan as prescribed in point b of this clause; the legal basis for implementing the adjustment plan; compliance with the national forestry planning or provincial planning; meeting the criteria for each type of special-use forest as prescribed in Article 6 of this Decree; meeting the criteria for functional zones as prescribed in Clause 7 of this Article; the feasibility of implementation measures; consistency between the explanatory notes and the map of the adjustment plan.

đ) The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee are responsible for the accuracy and legality of the content and dossier, and the attached maps in the document proposing the adjustment of the boundaries and areas of the special-use forest area.

4. The adjustment of special-use forest areas to another category of special-use forest areas as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 5 of the Forestry Law shall be implemented when ensuring the conditions prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article and meeting the criteria prescribed in Article 6 of this Decree; the procedures and formalities shall be carried out as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

5. The increase in the area of special-use forest areas due to the reclassification of protective forests or production forests or forests outside the forestry planning shall be implemented according to the procedures and formalities for establishing special-use forest areas prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article for the additional area of the special-use forest area.

6. The reduction in the area of special-use forest areas when reclassified to production forests or protective forests or when changing the purpose of forest use to other purposes shall be implemented when reclassifying the forest or changing the purpose of forest use as prescribed in Articles 39, 40, and 42 of this Decree. Within thirty days from the date the competent authority decides to reclassify the forest or change the purpose of forest use to other purposes, the forest owner must complete updating the forest management dossier.

7. Criteria for functional zones of national parks, nature reserves, and species and habitat conservation areas

a) Strict protection zones shall meet one of the following criteria:

Having a natural ecosystem that remains intact or having a natural ecosystem that ensures the natural development laws of the forest ecosystem.

Is naturally distributed and serves as the habitat for endemic, critically endangered, precious, and rare species of flora and fauna.

For special-use forests that include wetland and coastal ecosystems, the location, scope, and scale of the strictly protected zone shall be determined based on the current status of natural ecosystems and conditions related to topography, hydrology, and flooding regimes; it is the habitat for endemic, critically endangered, precious, and rare wild species of flora and fauna.

b) The ecological restoration zone meets one of the following criteria:

It has a forest ecosystem that requires restoration through forestry techniques to achieve its characteristic natural state.

It has a natural ecosystem and habitat that maintains regular food sources and movement routes for wild animals.

For special-use forests that include wetland and coastal ecosystems, the location, scope, and scale of the ecological restoration zone shall be determined based on the current status of natural ecosystems and conditions related to topography, hydrology, and flooding regimes; it maintains regular food sources and movement routes for wild animals.

c) The service and administrative zone meets the following criteria:

Established primarily for constructing technical infrastructure, including facilities for work, living, research, experimental science, rescue, and biological development activities of the special-use forest management board; facilities serving eco-tourism, rest, entertainment, and other functions as prescribed by law;

The area of the concentrated service and administrative zone is limited, with scattered areas established only when appropriate to the scale of the special-use forest management board, the current status of the forest, and the total natural area of the special-use forest.

8. Adjusting the functional zones of national parks, nature reserves, and species and habitat conservation areas

a) Dossier of the forest owner, including:

The proposal for adjusting the functional zones of special-use forests according to Model No. 09 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

The plan for adjusting the functional zones of special-use forests according to Model No. 10 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree.

b) Dossier submitted by the Forest Management and Inspection Service (for special-use forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or the Department of Agriculture and Environment (for special-use forest areas under local management), including:

The report from the Forestry and Forest Protection Service or the Department of Agriculture and Environment according to Model No. 11 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

The review report of the Review Board;

The dossier of the forest owner as prescribed in point a of this clause.

c) Implementation procedures:

The forest owner submits one set of dossier as prescribed in point a of this clause to the Forest Management and Inspection Service (for special-use forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or to the Department of Agriculture and Environment (for special-use forest areas under local management) through direct submission, postal service, or online at the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the agency receiving the documents shall forward the proposal for adjusting the functional zones of special-use forests to the Review Board established by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (for special-use forests under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (for special-use forests under local management);

Within five working days from the date of receiving all documents, the Review Board shall complete the review report, submit it to the Forestry and Forest Protection Service (for special-use forests under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or submit it to the Department of Agriculture and Environment (for special-use forests under local management); if the review does not meet the requirements, a written notification with specific reasons shall be provided;

Within five working days from the date of receiving the review report on the plan for adjusting the functional zones of special-use forests, the Forestry and Forest Protection Service or the Department of Agriculture and Environment shall complete the documents stipulated at point b of this clause, and submit them to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee;

Within three working days from the date of receiving all submitted documents from the Forestry and Forest Protection Service or the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall consider and decide on the adjustment of the functional zones of special-use forests according to Model No. 12 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree, and transfer the documents to the reception office to notify the forest owner.

d) In cases where the sustainable forest management plan adjustment changes the functional zones of special-use forests, the procedures and formalities for adjusting the functional zones shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the approval or adjustment of the sustainable forest management plan."

Article 3. Amend and supplement some points and clauses of Article 14

1. Amend and supplement Point a Clause 1 as follows:

“a) Preliminary assessment of the current state of the forest, the ability to organize implementation, and types of ecotourism products, services, resort, and entertainment according to Model No. 13 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;”.

2. Amend and supplement Point a Clause 3 as follows:

“a) The proposal of the forest owner according to Model No. 14 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;”.

3. Amend and supplement Points a, b, c, d, and đ Clause 4 as follows:

“a) The forest owner submits one set of documents in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article to the Forest Management Department and Forest Protection Service (for special-use forests under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (for special-use forests under local management) through direct submission, postal service, or online at the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving valid documents, the administrative procedure handling agency seeks written comments from relevant agencies and units on the documents and contents of the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project as stipulated in Clauses 3 and 5 of this Article;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receiving the written request for comments, the agency or unit providing comments sends the written comments to the administrative procedure handling agency;

d) Within five working days from the date of receiving written comments from relevant agencies and units, the administrative procedure handling agency completes the review report; if the review does not meet the requirements, it notifies the forest owner in writing and specifies the reasons;

đ) Within five working days from the date of receiving complete documents submitted by the administrative procedure handling agency, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (for special-use forests under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province (for special-use forests under local management) decides to approve the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project in special-use forests according to Model No. 15 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree, transferring the file acceptance section to notify the forest owner.

The approval decision for the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project in special-use forests serves as the basis for the competent authority to accept the documents and organize the environmental impact assessment report as requested by the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project proponent for projects required to prepare an environmental impact assessment report in accordance with the law on environmental protection.”.

Article 4. Amend and supplement some points and clauses of Article 15

1. Amend and supplement Point c Clause 3 as follows:

“c) The scale, materials, height, duration of existence, and density and ratio of constructions determined in the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project are reviewed and approved by the competent state agency in accordance with Article 14 of this Decree, including squares, plazas, technical infrastructure such as internal roads over 1.5 meters wide, power supply, water supply and drainage, waste treatment, telecommunications, parking lots, but the total area of constructions must not exceed 2% of the area in the cooperation, joint venture, or lease agreement for the forest environment in this zone;

In cases where the total construction area for ecotourism, resort, and entertainment exceeds the provisions of this point, the Provincial People's Committee bases its request on actual conditions and the nature and scale of the specific project, sending a written request to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to report to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.”.

2. Amend and supplement Point c Clause 4 as follows:

“c) The scale, materials, height, duration of existence, and density and ratio of constructions determined in the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project are reviewed and approved by the competent state agency in accordance with Article 14 of this Decree, including squares, plazas, technical infrastructure such as internal roads over 1.5 meters wide, power supply, water supply and drainage, waste treatment, telecommunications, parking lots, but the total area of constructions must not exceed 5% of the area in the cooperation, joint venture, or lease agreement for the forest environment in this zone.

In cases where the total construction area for ecotourism, resort, and entertainment exceeds the provisions of this point, the Provincial People's Committee bases its request on actual conditions and the nature and scale of the specific project, sending a written request to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to report to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.”.

Article 5. Amending and supplementing Article 17

"Article 17. Establishment and adjustment of protective forest areas

1. Conditions for establishing and adjusting protective forest areas

a) Having a plan for establishing or adjusting protective forest areas that is consistent with the national forestry planning or provincial planning;

b) Meeting the criteria for each type of protective forest as stipulated in Article 7 of this Decree;

c) For the establishment and adjustment of boundaries and area of protective forest areas: having a proposal document from the People's Committee of the province (for protective forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or a proposal document from the People's Committee of the commune (for protective forest areas under local management);

d) For the establishment of protective forest areas from special-use forests or production forests, it is not necessary to follow the procedures and formalities for changing forest types as prescribed in Articles 39 and 40 of this Decree.

2. The procedures and formalities for establishing and adjusting protective forest areas shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clauses 2, 3, 5, and 6 of Article 9 of this Decree.

As for the content of evaluating the fulfillment of criteria for each type of protective forest in the review of plans for establishing and adjusting protective forest areas, it must comply with the provisions of Article 7 of this Decree."

Article 6. Amending and supplementing some points and clauses of Article 23

1. Amend and supplement Point a Clause 1 as follows:

“a) Preliminary assessment of the current state of the forest, the ability to organize implementation, and types of ecotourism products, services, resort, and entertainment according to Model No. 13 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;”.

2. Amend and supplement Point a Clause 3 as follows:

"a) A cover letter from the forest owner (original) according to Model No. 14 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;"

3. Amend and supplement Points a, b, c, d, and đ Clause 4 as follows:

"a) The forest owner submits one set of documents as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article to the Forest Management and Inspection Department for protective forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for protective forest areas under local management, through direct submission, postal service, or online at the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving a valid application, the administrative procedure handling agency seeks written comments from relevant agencies and units on the application and content of the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project plan as stipulated in Clauses 3 and 5 of this Article;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receiving the written request for comments, the agency or unit providing comments sends the written comments to the administrative procedure handling agency;

d) Within five working days from the date of receiving written comments from relevant agencies and units, the administrative procedure handling agency is responsible for completing the review report; in case the review does not meet the requirements, a written notification will be sent to the forest owner specifying the reasons;

đ) Within five working days from the date of receiving all documents submitted by the administrative procedure handling agency as prescribed in point a of this clause, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (for protective forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province (for protective forest areas under local management) decides to approve the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project plan in protective forest areas according to Model No. 15 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree, sending the result to the document reception department for issuance to the forest owner in both paper and electronic formats.

The approval decision for the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project plan of the protective forest area serves as the basis for the competent authority to accept the application and organize the environmental impact assessment report as requested by the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project proponent for projects required to prepare an environmental impact assessment report in accordance with environmental protection laws."

Article 7. Amend and supplement Point c Clause 1 Article 24

“c) The scale, materials, height, duration of existence, density, and ratio of works determined in the ecotourism, resort, and entertainment project shall be appraised and approved by the competent state agency according to Article 23 of this Decree, including squares, plazas, technical infrastructure works such as internal roads over 1.5 meters wide, power supply, water supply and drainage, waste treatment, telecommunications, parking lots, but the total area of the works must not exceed 5% of the area under the cooperation, joint venture, or lease contract for the forest environment.

In cases where the total construction area for ecotourism, resort, and entertainment exceeds the provisions of this point, the Provincial People's Committee bases its request on actual conditions and the nature and scale of the specific project, sending a written request to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to report to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.”.

Article 8. Supplement Clause 3 after Clause 2 Article 32d

“3. The construction costs for the plan to cultivate, develop, and harvest medicinal plants in the forest shall be balanced in the annual financial plan from the revenue of forest environmental services or from other lawful sources of the forest owner as provided by law.”

Article 9. Amend and supplement some clauses of Article 33

1. Amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. Procedures and formalities for closing or opening natural forests within the authority of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

a) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall consider and decide on closing or opening natural forests within the economic and social region when two or more provinces in the region have decided to close or open natural forests; and decide on closing or opening natural forests nationwide when two or more economic and social regions have decided to close or open natural forests.

b) Documents to be submitted include:

The proposal of the Forest Management and Inspection Department according to Model No. 16 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

The decision accompanying the plan to close or open natural forests of two or more provinces for the case of closing or opening natural forests within the economic and social region or the decision accompanying the plan to close or open natural forests of two or more economic and social regions for the case of closing or opening natural forests nationwide;

The plan to close or open natural forests within the economic and social region or nationwide according to Model No. 17 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree.

c) Implementation procedures:

The Forest Management and Inspection Department shall build the plan to close or open natural forests within the economic and social region or nationwide (hereinafter referred to as the Plan); and issue a document seeking opinions from the People's Committee of the province and relevant agencies and units on the Plan;

Within six working days from the date of receipt of the opinion-seeking document, the agencies and units solicited for opinions shall be responsible for replying in writing;

Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the reply documents from the agencies and units, the Forest Management and Inspection Department shall complete the Plan and submit the dossier to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development according to point b of this clause;

Within four working days from the date of receipt of the complete dossier submitted by the Forest Management and Inspection Department, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall consider and decide on closing or opening natural forests within the economic and social region or nationwide according to Model No. 18 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree.”

2. Amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Procedures and formalities for closing or opening natural forests within the authority of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province

a) Based on the management, protection, and development of forests at the local level as stipulated in Clause 1 Article 30 of the Forestry Law, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall consider and decide on closing or opening natural forests within the entire province.

b) Documents include:

The proposal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development according to Model No. 16 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree;

The request to close or open natural forests of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune;

The plan to close or open natural forests throughout the province according to Model No. 17 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree.

c) Implementation procedures:

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall build the plan to close or open natural forests throughout the province; and issue a document seeking opinions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the People's Committee of the commune, and relevant agencies and units about the Plan;

Within four working days from the date of receipt of the opinion-seeking document, the agencies and units solicited for opinions shall be responsible for replying in writing;

Within three working days from the date of receipt of the reply document, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall complete the Plan and submit the dossier to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province according to point b of this clause;

Within three working days from the date of receipt of the dossier submitted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall submit the Plan to the Provincial People's Council for approval;

The Provincial People's Council shall examine and approve the plan to close or open natural forests according to the working regulations of the People's Council. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall decide on closing or opening natural forests throughout the province according to Model No. 18 Appendix IB issued together with this Decree immediately after the Provincial People's Council approves the Plan.”.

Article 10. Supplement Section 6 following Section 5 of Chapter II

Section 6

DISPOSAL OF PLANTED FORESTS

Article 34a. Objects, cases, authority, and forms of disposal of planted forests

1. The objects of planted forests to be disposed of according to Clause 1, Article 26a of the Forestry Law include:

a) Planted forests during the investment phase that have been damaged due to one of the cases stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and do not meet the acceptance criteria for planting forests as prescribed in the regulations on acceptance of investment results and support for public investment projects in forestry works;

b) Planted forests after the investment phase that have been damaged due to one of the cases stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and do not meet national standards for planted forests. Only utilize or cut down areas of forest that are no longer capable of recovery; for areas of planted forests with damage exceeding 70%, and production forests that are planted and capable of recovery but distributed in patches or scattered bands, the entire area shall be disposed of; areas of forest that still have the potential for recovery shall be inventoried, counted, and proposed solutions for recovery in the disposal plan for planted forests.

2. Cases of planted forests to be disposed of include:

a) Natural disasters as prescribed by laws on disaster prevention and control, including: typhoons, tropical depressions, strong winds over the sea, whirlwinds, lightning, heavy rain, floods, flash floods, flooding; landslides, land subsidence caused by rain and floods or water flow or drought; rising water levels, saltwater intrusion, heatwaves, wildfires caused by natural causes, cold snaps, hailstorms, fog, frost, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other types of natural disasters, accidents, and catastrophes;

b) Diseases and pests harmful to forests;

c) Wildfires where the cause cannot be determined whether it was natural or human-induced.

3. Authority to decide on the disposal of planted forests according to Clause 3, Article 26a of the Forestry Law.

4. Forms of disposal of planted forests include:

a) Cutting down and cleaning up the forest;

b) Selling timber from utilization harvesting;

c) Based on each type of forest as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, the competent authority deciding on the disposal of planted forests selects an appropriate form of disposal of planted forests suitable for specific conditions at the local level; implement timber harvesting in accordance with the provisions of the law on forestry.

Article 34b. Procedures and formalities for the disposal of planted forests

1. On-site inspection:

a) Within three working days from the end of the natural disaster, disease outbreak, or wildfire where the cause cannot be determined, or when conditions allow access to the site, the organization with damaged planted forests under one of the cases stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article sends a request for confirmation to the People's Committee of the commune by direct delivery, postal service, or online through the National Public Service Portal using Form No. 01 attached as Appendix IC of this Decree;

b) Within three working days from receiving the request, the People's Committee of the commune completes the on-site inspection to determine the case of planted forests to be disposed of and the extent of damage to the planted forests;

The on-site inspection team includes representatives from: the People's Committee of the commune where the damaged forest is located; the forest owner or project investor with damaged forests; the disaster prevention and control agency at the commune level for cases stipulated in point a, Clause 2 of this Article, or the agency responsible for plant protection tasks for cases stipulated in point b, Clause 2 of this Article, or the agency assigned to determine the cause of forest fires for cases stipulated in point c, Clause 2 of this Article; other relevant agencies or units (if any);

The results of the on-site inspection are recorded in a report according to Form No. 02 attached as Appendix IC of this Decree. The People's Committee of the commune where the damaged forest is located sends the report to the competent authority deciding on the disposal of planted forests and the organization with damaged planted forests.

2. Documents for the disposal of planted forests include:

a) Original request for disposal of planted forests according to Form No. 03 attached as Appendix IC of this Decree;

b) Original disposal plan for planted forests according to Form No. 04 attached as Appendix IC of this Decree;

c) Report of on-site inspection as prescribed in point b, Clause 1 of this Article;

d) Copies of approval, acceptance, and settlement documents for planting forests: design and budget documents for planting forests; decision on approval (project, topic...); annual acceptance reports and annual financial reports (for planted forests during the investment phase); final settlement report (for planted forests after the investment phase).

In cases where these documents are missing or incomplete: there must be a confirmation letter about the origin of the state-owned planted forests from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for areas managed by the locality or from the agency specified in point a, Clause 3 of this Article for areas managed by ministries or central agencies;

e) Other related documents (if any).

3. Administrative procedure handling agency:

a) Specialized management agencies in forestry, specialized departments under ministries or central agencies assigned by the Minister or Head of Central Agencies;

b) Local specialized management agencies in forestry assigned by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

4. Procedure for implementation:

a) The organization requesting the disposal of planted forests submits one set of documents as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article to the administrative procedure handling agency as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article by direct submission, postal service, or online through the National Public Service Portal;

The document reception department checks the accuracy and completeness of the documents, immediately confirms the validity of the documents for those submitted directly, within one working day for those submitted via postal service or online through the National Public Service Portal, and if the documents are invalid, they notify in writing and specify the reasons.

b) Within two working days from the date of receiving valid files, the administrative procedure handling agency shall submit to the competent authority for decision on the establishment of the Appraisal Board for the liquidation of planted forests. The members of the Board include: the Chairman of the Board being the leadership of the administrative procedure handling agency; members of the Board including: representatives of the supervising agencies above the organization proposing the liquidation of planted forests (if any), financial agencies; experts and scientists (if necessary) and representatives of other related agencies;

c) Within ten working days from the date of deciding to establish the Board, the Appraisal Board shall complete the appraisal of the liquidation of planted forests;

In cases where there is information that requires verification, the Chairman of the Appraisal Board shall organize verification and inspection of the site if it falls under one of the following circumstances: the files and documents serving the appraisal have not met the requirements, contain contradictions or do not ensure validity, or there are signs of doubt regarding the accuracy of the data in the file (area, type of tree, density, volume, etc.) or the current status of the planted forest has changed compared to the file due to natural disasters, epidemics, forest fires, illegal logging, encroachment, or other reasons. Participants include: representatives of the Appraisal Board; state management agencies for forestry in the area with the proposed area of planted forest for liquidation; People's Committee of the commune where the proposed planted forest for liquidation is located; organizations proposing the liquidation of planted forests; other related agencies (if any). The results of the verification and inspection of the site are recorded in Record Form No. 05 Appendix IC attached to this Decree;

The Appraisal Board shall convene meetings, review the files and contents in the plan for the liquidation of planted forests. The results of the Appraisal Board meeting are recorded in Record Form No. 06 Appendix IC issued together with this Decree, and transferred to the administrative procedure handling agency; in cases where the conditions for the liquidation of planted forests are not met, the administrative procedure handling agency shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

Planted forests are not eligible for liquidation when they meet one of the following criteria: the files and procedures serving the appraisal are incomplete, invalid, or not in accordance with regulations, or the current status of the planted forest does not match the proposed file (area, type of tree, volume, etc.) or there are disputes or encroachments;

d) Within two working days from the date of receiving the record of the Appraisal Board, the administrative procedure handling agency shall prepare a report on the results of the appraisal of the liquidation of planted forests according to Record Form No. 07 Appendix IC issued together with this Decree, and submit it to the competent authority for decision on the liquidation of planted forests;

The file includes:

Files as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article;

Record of verification and inspection of the site, determination of the extent of forest damage according to Record Form No. 05 Appendix IC issued together with this Decree (in case the Appraisal Board organizes verification and inspection of the site);

Record of the Appraisal Board meeting on the liquidation of planted forests according to Record Form No. 06 Appendix IC attached to this Decree;

Report on the results of the appraisal of the liquidation of planted forests according to Record Form No. 07 Appendix IC issued together with this Decree;

đ) Within one working day from the date of receiving the submitted files from the administrative procedure handling agency, the competent authority shall examine and decide on the liquidation of planted forests according to Record Form No. 08 Appendix IC issued together with this Decree, and transfer it to the file reception section to notify the organization.

Article 34c. Implementation of Forest Plantation Liquidation

1. The organization with forest plantations subject to liquidation shall be responsible for implementing the liquidation of forest plantations in accordance with the liquidation decision of the competent authority.

2. The exploitation and utilization of forest plantations shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of forestry laws; the handling of assets from the liquidation of forest plantations shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 89a of this Decree.

3. After completing the liquidation of forest plantations, the organization with forest plantations subject to liquidation shall request the competent authority to examine the following contents:

a) For forest plantations during the investment phase: adjust the investment project or adjust the state budget plan, design, and planting estimate according to the provisions of the Law on Public Investment and Forestry Construction Projects.

b) For forest plantations after the investment phase: record assets and report, declare changes in assets according to the regulations.

4. Within ten working days from the date of completion of the liquidation, the organization with forest plantations subject to liquidation shall be responsible for reporting the results of implementation to the competent authority deciding on the liquidation of forest plantations.

5. Management and use of proceeds from the liquidation of forest plantations

a) Content of expenditure: expenses for activities such as preparing documents for liquidation requests, surveying, measuring, calculating stock volume, yield, value (if applicable), felling, cutting, loading, transporting, and preserving timber from the exploited forest plantations subject to liquidation, and other expenditures as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 40 of Decree No. 186/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2025 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Management and Use of State Assets.

b) Level of expenditure: implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 40 of Decree No. 186/2025/NĐ-CP.

c) Revenue from selling timber from the exploited forest plantations (if any) shall be used for organizing the liquidation of forest plantations as stipulated in point a of this clause. The remaining amount after deducting liquidation costs and related financial obligations according to the law shall be handled in accordance with Clause 8 of Article 89a of this Decree.

d) Liquidation costs of forest plantations shall be included in the liquidation plan. The preparation, execution, and settlement of liquidation funds shall be carried out in accordance with the law on state budget.

đ) In cases where there is no revenue from selling timber or the revenue from selling timber is less than the liquidation costs as stipulated in the liquidation plan, the handling shall be in accordance with point c of Clause 7 of Article 89a of this Decree.”

Article 11. Amending and Supplementing Article 35

"Article 35. Plan for Allocation of Forests, Leasing of Forests, and Conversion of Forest Land Use Purposes

1. Development of Plans for Allocation of Forests, Leasing of Forests, and Conversion of Forest Land Use Purposes

a) Annually, the People's Committee of the commune has the responsibility to develop plans for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes; issue written notifications regarding the request for registration of needs for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes;

b) Within ten working days from the date the People's Committee of the commune issues a written request for registration of needs for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes, the specialized agency on agriculture and environment at the commune level shall aggregate the needs for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and projects proposing conversion of forest land use purposes according to Model 01 of Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree;

c) The People's Committee of the commune, based on the current area of forests in the locality, shall develop plans for allocation of forests, leasing of forests for special-purpose forests, protective forests, and natural production forests; plans for conversion of forest land use purposes consistent with the conversion of land use purposes.

2. Contents of Plans for Allocation of Forests, Leasing of Forests, and Conversion of Forest Land Use Purposes

a) Area of various types of forests within the commune, including: total forest area; area of allocated and leased forests; area of unallocated and unleased forests; results of conversion of forest land use purposes from the beginning of the planning period to the time of plan development according to Model 02 of Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree;

b) Plans for allocation of forests and leasing of forests within the commune, specifying the area of forests, type of forests (special-purpose forests, protective forests, production forests) allocated and leased according to Model 03 of Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree;

c) Plans for conversion of forest land use purposes within the commune, specifying the name of the project, location of the project, area of forests, origin of forest formation (natural forests, planted forests), type of forests (special-purpose forests, protective forests, production forests) converted to other purposes according to Model 04 of Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree;

d) Time limit and quota for allocation of forests and leasing of forests shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 6 of Article 14 of the Forestry Law;

đ) Evaluation of the effectiveness of plans for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes on economy, society, environment, national defense, and security; job creation, labor attraction, poverty reduction; ensuring forest coverage ratio;

e) Determination of resources (financial, labor, technical), solutions, and progress in implementing plans for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes.

3. Approval of Plans for Allocation of Forests, Leasing of Forests, and Conversion of Forest Land Use Purposes

a) Every third quarter of each year, the People's Committee of the commune sends the plan for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Documents include: a proposal according to Model 05 of Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree; plans for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes;

b) Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall organize the review of the commune-level plans for allocation of forests, leasing of forests, and conversion of forest land use purposes and submit them to the provincial People's Committee for approval. The content of the proposal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development according to Model 06 of Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree;

In case the file is incomplete or inaccurate, within three working days, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall send a letter to the People's Committee of the commune to complete the file.

c) Within three working days from the date of receiving the file submitted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the People's Committee of the province shall examine and decide to approve the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use at the commune level according to Model No. 07 Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree; if the plan is not approved, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons. The plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use at the commune level must be completed and approved before December 31 each year.

4. Within three working days from the date the competent authority approves the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use, the People's Committee of the commune has the responsibility to publicly announce such plan at the office of the People's Committee of the commune and on the electronic portal of the People's Committee of the commune for a minimum period of thirty days.

5. Adjusting and supplementing the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use

a) Adjusting and supplementing the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use can only be carried out due to adjustments in the planning and plans of the competent authority that change the structure of forest types (special-use forests, protective forests, production forests) at the commune level; due to the establishment, merger, division, separation, or adjustment of administrative boundaries of localities; due to the impact of natural disasters or environmental emergencies that change the purpose of forest land use; changes in resources for implementing the plan, formation of key projects serving national interests, public interests, urgent economic and social development projects that change the direction of forest land use.

b) The content of adjusting and supplementing the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use is part of the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use already approved by the competent authority.

Adjusting and supplementing the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.

c) The People's Committee of the province shall decide on adjusting and supplementing the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use.”

Article 12. Amending and Supplementing Article 36

“Article 36. Procedures and formalities for allocating forests and leasing forests

1. The procedures and formalities for allocating forests and leasing forests shall be uniformly and synchronously implemented with the procedures and formalities for allocating land and leasing land as prescribed by laws on land.

2. Surveying and evaluating the current status of forests as the basis for allocating forests and leasing forests

a) The specialized agency on agriculture and rural development at the commune level (in cases provided for in Point a Clause 2 Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (in cases provided for in Point c Clause 1 Article 23 of the Forestry Law) shall be responsible for organizing surveys, evaluations, inspections, and confirmation of reports on the current status of forests, maps of the current status of forests, and boundaries of forest areas.

b) The surveying and evaluation of the current status of forests shall be conducted immediately after the plan for allocating forests, leasing forests, and changing the purpose of forest land use is approved by the competent authority. The report on surveying and evaluating the current status of forests and the map of the current status of forests serve as the basis for allocating forests and leasing forests.

c) The content of the report on surveying and evaluating the current status of forests includes: location (including: coordinates, sub-district, plot, lot), administrative name of the forest area; forest area classified by: type of forest (special-use forests, protective forests, production forests), origin of forest formation (natural forests, planted forests); management authority; forest stock; tree species and planting year (for planted forests); construction of the map of the current status of forests and boundaries of forest areas. The method of surveying and evaluating the current status of forests shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

d) The cost of surveying and evaluating the current status of forests shall be funded from the state budget and other lawful sources as prescribed.

3. Approving the auction plan and initial rental price for leasing forests:

a) Within five working days from the date of completing the report on surveying and evaluating the current status of forests, the specialized agency on agriculture and rural development at the commune level (in cases provided for in Point a Clause 2 Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (in cases provided for in Point c Clause 1 Article 23 of the Forestry Law) shall be responsible for developing the auction plan for leasing forests and the initial rental price for leasing forests according to Model No. 08 Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree, and submit it to the Chairman of the People's Committee at the same level for approval of the plan.

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving the proposal regarding the auction plan for leasing forests and the initial rental price for leasing forests from the specialized agency on agriculture and rural development at the commune level or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall examine and approve the auction plan for leasing forests and the initial rental price for leasing forests according to Model No. 09 Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree.

4. Organizing the auction for leasing forests: within five working days from the date the auction plan for leasing forests and the initial rental price for leasing forests are approved, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune (in cases provided for in Point a Clause 2 Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (in cases provided for in Point c Clause 1 Article 23 of the Forestry Law) shall select and sign a contract with an organization for selling assets to implement the auction for leasing forests in accordance with the laws on selling assets and related laws.

5. Recognition of the auction results for forest lease: within three working days from the date of receipt of the auction results, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune (in cases provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province (in cases provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) shall examine and decide to recognize the auction win result for forest lease according to Model No. 10 Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree, and notify the organization or individual that won the auction.

6. Payment of the auction win amount for forest lease: within ten working days from the date of the decision recognizing the auction win result for forest lease, the organization or individual that won the auction shall complete the payment of the forest lease fee to the State Treasury and submit the payment receipt to the specialized agency on agriculture and environment at the commune level (for cases provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (for cases provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Forestry Law). The auction win result for forest lease and the payment receipt for the forest lease fee shall serve as the basis for the competent authority to consider and decide on the unified and synchronized forest lease with land lease in accordance with the laws on land.

7. Forest lease without auction:

a) Organizations and individuals authorized to decide on forest lease without auction for cases already leased production forest land before the effective date of this Decree;

b) The lease price for forest without auction shall be decided by the People's Committee of the province (for cases provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the People's Committee of the commune (for cases provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Forestry Law), determined according to the guidance of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the method of valuing forests; guiding the framework price of forests.”

Article 13. Amending and supplementing Article 37

"Article 37. Allocation of forests, leasing of forests for cases already allocated land, leased land with forests or recognized rights to use land with forests

1. Organizations, individuals, and community residents who have been allocated land, leased land with forests or recognized rights to use land with forests before the effective date of this Decree but have not yet been allocated forests or leased forests shall be responsible for preparing a dossier to request the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune to decide on the allocation of forests or leasing of forests within their jurisdiction.

2. Dossier includes:

Request for allocation of forests, leasing of forests according to Model No. 11 Appendix IIA (for individuals), Model No. 12 Appendix IIA (for community residents) and Model No. 13 Appendix IIA (for organizations) issued together with this Decree.

3. Procedures for implementation:

a) Organizations, individuals, and community residents shall submit one set of dossier in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article to the specialized agency on agriculture and environment at the commune level (for cases provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (for cases provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) either directly, through postal services, or online at the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Within ten working days from the date of receiving valid dossiers, the specialized agency on agriculture and environment at the commune level (for cases provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (for cases provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) shall be responsible for organizing investigations, evaluations, inspections, and confirmation of the current status report of the forest, the current status map of the forest, and the boundary of the forest area in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 36 of this Decree; inspecting the contents of forest allocation and leasing in accordance with Articles 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the Forestry Law; prepare a report attached to the dossier and submit it to the Chairman of the People's Committee at the same level. In cases where conditions are not met, the specialized agency on agriculture and environment at the commune level or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

c) Within five working days from the date of receiving the dossier submitted by the specialized agency on agriculture and environment at the commune level (for cases provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (for cases provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Forestry Law), the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall examine and decide on the allocation of forests or leasing of forests for individuals and community residents according to Model No. 14 Appendix IIA, and for organizations according to Model No. 15 Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree; if no decision is made, they shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

d) Within five working days from the date of the decision on the allocation of forests or leasing of forests, the specialized agency on agriculture and environment at the commune level (for cases provided for in point a, Clause 2, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (for cases provided for in point c, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Forestry Law) shall be responsible for handing over the forest to organizations, individuals, and community residents according to Model No. 16 Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree.”.

Article 14. Amend and supplement Article 38

"Article 38. Allocation of land and leasing of land for cases where forests have been allocated or leased

Organizations, individuals, and community residents who have been decided by competent authorities to allocate or lease forests shall implement the allocation of land and leasing of land in accordance with the laws on land."

Article 15. Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 39

"1. The People's Committee at the commune level shall be responsible for developing plans to change forest types for areas of forest belonging to households, individuals, community residents, and forests managed by the People's Committee at the commune level; forest owners who are organizations shall be responsible for developing plans to change forest types for areas of forest they manage."

Article 16. Amend and supplement some clauses of Article 40

1. Amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

"2. Procedures and formalities for changing forest types for forest areas under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

a) The agency constructing the plan to change forest types as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 39 of this Decree shall submit one set of documents in accordance with Clause 1 of this Article to the Forest Management and Inspection Department directly, through postal services, or online via the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Forest Management and Inspection Department shall organize written reviews by relevant agencies and organizations; in cases where the area is adjacent, within, or directly related to defense lands or border areas, opinions of the Ministry of Defense must also be sought; complete a review report on the plan to change forest types and submit it to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; if the review does not meet the requirements, the administrative procedure handling agency shall notify the forest owner in writing and specify the reasons;

The main contents of the review of the plan to change forest types include: Completeness of the file components and contents of the plan to change forest types as stipulated in point a of this clause; legal basis for implementing the plan to change forest types; compliance with forestry planning; meeting the criteria for each type of forest as stipulated in Articles 6, 7, and 8 of this Decree; meeting the criteria of functional zones in special-use forests as stipulated in Clause 7 of Article 9 of this Decree; feasibility of implementation measures; consistency between the explanatory notes and maps of the plan to change forest types;

c) Within three working days from the date of receiving complete documents submitted by the Forest Management and Inspection Department, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall consider and decide on changing the forest type, and transfer the file to the reception department to notify the forest owner."

2. Amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

"3. Procedures and formalities for changing forest types for forest areas not covered by Clause 2 of this Article:

a) The agency constructing the plan to change forest types as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 39 of this Decree shall submit one set of documents in accordance with Clause 1 of this Article to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development directly, through postal services, or online via the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall organize written reviews by relevant agencies and organizations; in cases where the area is adjacent, within, or directly related to defense lands or border areas, opinions of the local military authority must also be sought; complete a review report on the plan to change forest types and submit it to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; if the review does not meet the requirements, the administrative procedure handling agency shall notify the forest owner in writing and specify the reasons;

The main contents of the review of the plan to change forest types include: Completeness of the file components and contents of the plan to change forest types as stipulated in point a of this clause; legal basis for implementing the plan to change forest types; compliance with forestry planning; meeting the criteria for each type of forest as stipulated in Articles 6, 7, and 8 of this Decree; meeting the criteria of functional zones in special-use forests as stipulated in Clause 7 of Article 9 of this Decree; feasibility of implementation measures; consistency between the explanatory notes and maps of the plan to change forest types;

c) Within three working days from the date of receiving complete documents submitted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall consider and decide on changing the forest type, and transfer the file to the reception department to notify the forest owner."

Article 17. Amend and supplement Article 41

"Article 41. Authority, procedure, and process for deciding on the policy to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose

1. The authority to decide on the policy to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 20 of the Forestry Law.

2. The dossier for deciding on the policy to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose within the authority of the Provincial People's Council includes:

a) A request for decision on the policy to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose according to Model No. 17 (for organizations) and Model No. 18 (for individuals) attached as Appendix IIA to this Decree;

b) A copy of the approval document for the investment proposal or the decision on the policy to invest or the decision approving the investment project or the investment registration certificate in accordance with the laws on investment, public investment, public-private partnership investment, oil and gas investment, and other related laws; report proposing an urgent public investment project or the decision approving the national program or target or the decision on the policy to invest in a project including a component proposing to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose in accordance with the Public Investment Law;

c) Environmental impact assessment documents of the project, which are one of the following: a copy of the preliminary environmental impact assessment or the environmental impact assessment report or a copy of the decision approving the results of the review of the environmental impact assessment report accompanied by the environmental impact assessment report or a copy of the environmental permit or environmental registration in accordance with the laws on environmental protection, investment, public investment, public-private partnership investment, oil and gas investment, or other relevant laws;

d) An explanatory report on the current status of the forest and a map of the current status of the forest area proposed to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose prepared within 12 months before submitting the dossier. The explanatory report contains information about the location (sub-district, plot, administrative name of the forest area), the area of the forest classified by type of forest (special-use forest, protective forest, production forest) and origin (natural forest, planted forest) and is shown on a map of the current status of the forest at a scale of 1/5,000 for projects changing less than 500 hectares of forest land use to another purpose, and at a scale of 1/10,000 for projects changing 500 hectares or more of forest land use to another purpose and linear projects;

đ) A commitment document to fulfill the obligation to replant forests for the area proposed to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose.

3. Procedure and process for deciding on the policy to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose within the authority of the Provincial People's Council:

a) Organizations and individuals with projects requesting a decision on the policy to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose submit directly or through postal services or online at the National Public Service Portal one dossier in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately responds to the validity of the dossier for direct submission, within one working day for submission through postal services or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is not valid, a written notification is issued with specific reasons;

b) Within ten working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development takes the lead in checking, verifying the dossier and organizing a review. The review content includes: legal basis; components and contents of the dossier; necessity of the investment project; sub-district, plot, administrative name location, forest area classified by origin (natural forest, planted forest) and type of forest (special-use forest, protective forest, production forest); compliance with the principles of changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose as stipulated in Article 14 of the Forestry Law. For projects changing the purpose of natural forest land use to another purpose: review whether the project meets the criteria for changing the purpose of natural forest land use to another purpose as stipulated in Article 41a of this Decree. In case the review result does not meet the conditions, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issues a written notification with specific reasons;

c) Within three working days from the completion of the review, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reports the review results to the Provincial People's Committee according to Model No. 19 attached as Appendix IIA to this Decree for consideration by the Provincial People's Council;

d) Within three working days from the date of receiving the review result report and the dossier submitted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Provincial People's Committee submits the dossier to the Provincial People's Council for consideration and decision on the policy to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose. The dossier includes: the report of the Provincial People's Committee according to Model No. 20 attached as Appendix IIA to this Decree; the review result report according to Model No. 19 attached as Appendix IIA to this Decree; and the dossier as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article;

đ) In case the area of forest land changed to another purpose falls under the management of forest owners who are units directly subordinate to ministries, sectors, or related areas close to defense zones, key defense areas, or areas of significant importance to national defense, within two working days from the date of receiving the review result report from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issues a document seeking opinions from the competent ministry, sector, or the Ministry of Defense. The dossier for seeking opinions includes: the request document of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the review result report of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the dossier as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article;

Within ten working days from the date of receiving the opinion-seeking document from the Provincial People's Committee, the competent ministry, sector, or the Ministry of Defense provides their written opinions and sends them to the Provincial People's Committee;

Within three working days from the date of receiving comments from the competent ministries and agencies, the Ministry of National Defense, and the provincial People's Committee shall submit to the Provincial People's Council for consideration and decision on the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose. The dossier submitted to the Provincial People's Council includes: the dossier as prescribed at point d of this clause and the document of the competent ministries and agencies, the Ministry of National Defense;

e) The Provincial People's Council shall consider and decide on the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose in accordance with the provisions of the law.

4. For investment projects proposing to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose within the jurisdiction of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, or the Provincial People's Council as stipulated in the Investment Law, the Public Investment Law, the Public-Private Partnership Investment Law, and the Petroleum Law:

a) The approval document or the decision on the investment project proposal is also the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose; the content of the approval document or the decision on the investment project proposal shall include the anticipated scale of forest area to be changed to another purpose to implement the project;

b) The dossier components for the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose as prescribed at point d of Clause 2, Article 41 of this Decree are part of the dossier submitted to the competent authority for approval or decision on the investment project proposal;

c) During the process of examination to approve or decide on the investment project proposal within the jurisdiction of the National Assembly or the Prime Minister, the leading examination agency shall seek opinions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the People's Committee of the province where the project is expected to be implemented; for investment project proposals within the jurisdiction of the Provincial People's Council, the leading examination agency shall seek opinions from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the People's Committee of the commune where the project is expected to be implemented regarding the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose;

The content of the opinions sought from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development includes: the current status of forests (natural forests, planted forests; special-use forests, protective forests, and production forests); criteria for projects changing the purpose of natural forest land use to another purpose (for projects involving changes in the purpose of natural forest land use); the compatibility of the project with the planning as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 14 and Clause 1, Article 19 of the Forestry Law.

5. For projects within the jurisdiction of the Provincial People's Council for approval or decision on the investment project proposal that propose to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose for forest areas belonging to units under ministries and agencies or related areas close to defense zones, key defense areas, or strategically important areas, before submitting to the Provincial People's Council for approval or decision on the investment project proposal, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall issue a document seeking opinions from the competent ministries and agencies or the Ministry of National Defense regarding the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose to implement the project.

6. For forest areas already planned for other non-forestry purposes but not yet decided by the competent authority to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose, the regulations on changing the purpose of forest land use corresponding to the type of forest shall be applied prior to approving the plan to transfer such forest areas to non-forestry purposes.

7. For programs and projects permitted by the National Assembly or the Government to apply special mechanisms and policies regarding the change of the purpose of forest land use to another purpose, they shall be implemented in accordance with the regulations of the National Assembly or the Government on those special mechanisms and policies.

8. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for the validity of the dossier, the results of inspections and verifications of the report describing the current status of forests, the map of the current status of forests in the proposed area for changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose, the results of examinations, and the content of the report submitted to the Provincial People's Committee; the Provincial People's Committee is responsible for the content and dossier of the proposal to decide on the change of the purpose of forest land use to another purpose; the Provincial People's Council is responsible for the decision to approve the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose, monitoring, and supervising the implementation of the proposal to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose."

Article 18. Amend and supplement Article 41a

"Article 41a. Criteria for determining projects to change the purpose of using natural forests to other purposes

1. Public investment projects as prescribed by law.

2. Projects not falling under the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article include:

a) Projects within the jurisdiction of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister to decide on or approve investment orientation;

b) Projects serving national defense and security;

c) Emergency projects as prescribed by law on emergency situations; sudden and urgent projects in disaster prevention and control, disease outbreaks, fires, explosions; urgent projects to address practical issues arising according to decisions of the National Assembly, the Government, the Prime Minister;

d) Essential projects for socio-economic development, including projects on transportation, irrigation; schools, hospitals, health stations, drinking water supply, resettlement and stable arrangement of concentrated ethnic minority and mountainous area residents; freshwater lakes, waste treatment on islands; power sources, power grid projects to ensure national energy security; restoration of revolutionary relics, historical and cultural relics at provincial level, national-level relics, special national relics; industrial park development, industrial clusters; mineral exploration and exploitation projects granted permits by competent authorities as prescribed by laws on geology and minerals; eco-tourism, resort, entertainment.

3. Not to change the purpose of using forest land to other purposes within strictly protected zones of special-use forests, except for projects within the jurisdiction of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister to approve investment orientation and cases of constructing cable car support structures as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 15 of this Decree."

Article 19. Amend and supplement Clause 2 of Article 41b

"2. For projects that have been approved by the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, Provincial People's Councils, if there is a change in the scale of forest area required to be converted from forest use to other purposes to implement the project, it shall be carried out as follows:

a) If a project changes the location or scale of the forest area required to be converted from forest use to other purposes but does not fall under the category requiring adjustment of the project's investment orientation, then the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee decides to convert the forest use to other purposes for the changed forest area; procedures and formalities follow the provisions of Article 42 of this Decree;

b) If a project changes the location or scale of the forest area required to be converted from forest use to other purposes and falls under the category requiring adjustment of the project's investment orientation, then the adjustment of the project's investment orientation shall be carried out in accordance with the law;

c) In the case of adjusting the project's investment orientation, which includes changes in the location or scale of the forest area required to be converted from forest use to other purposes that have already been decided to convert the forest use to other purposes, the leading agency responsible for examination shall seek opinions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Provincial People's Committee or the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Commune People's Committee where the project is implemented as prescribed in Point c Clause 4 of Article 41 of this Decree."

Article 20. Amendment and Supplement to Article 42

"Article 42. Procedures and Formalities for Deciding on Changing the Purpose of Forest Land Use to Another Purpose

1. The authority to decide on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 23 of the Forestry Law.

2. Dossier includes:

a) A request for deciding on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose according to Model No. 21 (for organizations) or Model No. 22 (for individuals) in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree;

b) A copy of the Decision on the Policy of Changing the Purpose of Forest Land Use to Another Purpose by the competent authority, or a copy of the approval document or decision on the policy of investment projects under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly, Prime Minister, Provincial People's Councils approving the policy of investment according to the Investment Law, Public Investment Law, Public-Private Partnership Investment Law, Petroleum Law;

c) Notification of completion of the obligation to pay money for replanting forests for the area proposed to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose;

d) Report explaining the current status of the forest and the map of the current status of the forest in accordance with point d, Clause 2 of Article 41 of this Decree.

3. Procedures for implementation:

a) Organizations and individuals proposing a decision to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose submit one set of documents in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for organizations or the specialized agency on agriculture and rural development at the commune level for individuals through direct submission, postal service, or online at the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving complete documents, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development prepares a report requesting the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to decide on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose for organizations according to Model No. 23 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree, along with the documents specified in Clause 2 of this Article. The specialized agency on agriculture and rural development at the commune level prepares a report requesting the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee to decide on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose for individuals according to Model No. 24 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree, along with the documents specified in Clause 2 of this Article;

c) Within three working days from the date of receiving the report and documents, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee examines and issues a decision on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose for organizations according to Model No. 25 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree. The Chairman of the Commune People's Committee examines and issues a Decision on Changing the Purpose of Forest Land Use to Another Purpose for individuals according to Model No. 26 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree. In case of not deciding to change the purpose of forest land use to another purpose, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee notifies in writing and specifies the reasons.

4. Construction of infrastructure works serving the protection and development of forests must be consistent with the sustainable forest management plan approved by the competent authority. The forest owner builds a forest utilization plan according to Model No. 27 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree and submits it to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Minister, Head of the equivalent ministry for approval according to the following procedures:

a) Documents for requesting approval of the forest utilization plan include: the forest utilization plan according to Model No. 27 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree; the document requesting approval of the forest utilization plan according to Model No. 28 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree;

b) The forest owner submits one set of documents in accordance with point a of this clause to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for forests managed by localities or to the specialized agency directly under the ministry or equivalent ministry responsible for receiving documents for forests managed by ministries or sectors through direct submission, postal service, or online at the National Public Service Portal;

The dossier reception unit checks the accuracy and completeness of the dossier, immediately confirms the validity of the dossier for directly submitted dossiers, within one working day for dossiers submitted via postal service or online at the National Public Service Portal; in case the dossier is invalid, it shall notify in writing and specify the reasons;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receiving complete documents, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or the specialized agency directly under the ministry or sector checks, verifies, and compiles to present to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Minister, Head of the equivalent ministry for examination and approval. The documents for approval include: the documents specified in point a of this clause, the report, and the verification results;

d) Within five working days from the date of receiving the report and documents from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or the specialized agency under the ministry or sector, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Minister, Head of the equivalent ministry examines and decides to approve the forest utilization plan according to Model No. 29 in Appendix IIA issued together with this Decree. In case of not approving, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Minister, Head of the equivalent ministry notifies in writing and specifies the reasons.

5. For areas of forest that have been decided by the competent authority on the policy of changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose or decided on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose to implement projects but the projects do not require the use or only partially use the area of forest that has been decided on the policy or changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose, then the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee shall be responsible to exercise the following contents within their authority:

a) Decide to revoke, adjust, or replace the decision on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose for cases where the area of forest has already been decided on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose;

b) Organize management and protection of this area of forest similar to the type of forest before being decided on the policy or changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose to ensure timely action and prevent violations of forestry laws;

c) Review and include in the planning of the corresponding type of forest before the period of planning or adjustment of planning by the competent authority deciding on the policy or changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose.

6. An organization or individual requesting the competent authority to decide on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose at once for the entire area of forest land that has been decided on the policy or proposed to change the purpose of forest land use according to the progress of land clearance and project construction.

7. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province and the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune shall be responsible for deciding on changing the purpose of forest land use to another purpose.”

Article 21. Amend and supplement Article 43

"Article 43. Procedures and formalities for reclaiming forests

1. The reclamation of forests in cases prescribed in points a, b, c, d, đ and e Clause 1 of Article 22 of the Forestry Law must be based on the following grounds:

a) Legal documents of the competent authority for resolution in effect for cases prescribed in points a, b and đ Clause 1 of Article 22 of the Forestry Law;

b) Documents returning the forest from the forest owner for cases prescribed in point c Clause 1 of Article 22 of the Forestry Law;

c) Decisions on allocating forests, decisions on leasing forests, decisions on allocating forests simultaneously with allocating land, decisions on leasing forests simultaneously with leasing land for cases prescribed in point d Clause 1 of Article 22 of the Forestry Law;

d) Death certificate or decision declaring a person dead under the provisions of the law for cases prescribed in point e Clause 1 of Article 22 of the Forestry Law.

2. Procedures and formalities for reclaiming forests:

a) Procedures and formalities for reclaiming forests for organizations, households, individuals, and community residents shall be uniformly and synchronously implemented together with reclaiming land in accordance with the laws on land.

b) Reclaiming forests for cases where land has already been reclaimed:

For cases where land has been decided to be reclaimed before this Decree takes effect, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune or the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall notify the forest owner in writing about the reclamation of the forest;

Within seven working days from the date of notification, the specialized agency on agriculture and environment of the commune (for cases prescribed in point a Clause 2 of Article 23 of the Forestry Law) or the Department of Agriculture and Environment (for cases prescribed in point c Clause 1 of Article 23 of the Forestry Law) shall have the responsibility to inspect and verify the characteristics of the forest area, and report to the Chairman of the People's Committee at the same level to decide on the reclamation of the forest;

The dossier submitted to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune or the province for the reclamation of the forest includes: the proposal of the specialized agency on agriculture and environment of the commune or the Department of Agriculture and Environment according to Model No. 30 Appendix IIA issued along with this Decree; inspection verification records of the forest area characteristics; copies of the land reclamation decision of the competent authority;

Within three working days from the date of receipt of the dossier submitted by the specialized agency on agriculture and environment of the commune or the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune or the province shall examine and decide on the reclamation of the forest according to Model No. 31 Appendix IIA issued along with this Decree. In case of non-decision, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune or the province shall notify in writing and specify the reasons.

3. Based on the decision on the reclamation of the forest by the competent authority, the People's Committee of the province and the People's Committee of the commune shall be responsible for managing the forest in accordance with the provisions of the forestry laws.”.

Article 22. Supplement Article 43a following Article 43

"Article 43a. Compensation for natural forests and planted forests when the State recovers land together with forests as stipulated in point b, Clause 11, Article 3 of Resolution No. 254/2025/QH15

1. Principles of compensation:

a) The compensation for natural forests and planted forests when the State recovers land together with forests must accurately and fully calculate the value of the forest, implement it openly and transparently, ensuring the rights and legitimate interests of the forest owners according to the laws on land and forestry;

b) Compensation for natural forests and planted forests when the State recovers land is part of the compensation and resettlement plan; the procedures for compensating natural forests and planted forests shall be carried out in accordance with the laws on land;

c) Determining the compensation value and managing and using the compensation funds for natural forests and planted forests must comply with the provisions of the laws on forestry, land, state budget, and management and use of public assets.

2. Subjects of compensation:

a) Natural forests;

b) Planted forests.

3. Determining the forest value for compensation:

a) The value of natural forests and planted forests when recovering forests is determined according to the regulations of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on methods for valuing forests; guidelines for setting the framework price of forests;

b) For planted forests that have not yet met the criteria for becoming forests, the compensation value is determined based on actual investment costs and management, care, and protection of the forest;

c) The People's Committee of the province has the responsibility to issue unit prices for compensating natural forests and planted forests according to point c, Clause 11, Article 3 of Resolution No. 254/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly providing certain mechanisms and policies to resolve difficulties and obstacles in implementing the Land Law.

4. Implementation of compensation:

a) For natural forests and planted forests belonging to the whole people, the compensation funds must be deposited into the state budget;

b) For planted forests belonging to organizations, households, individuals, and community residents, they will enjoy the full compensation funds;

c) For intercropped plants and non-timber forest products planted under the canopy of the forest by organizations, households, individuals, and community residents who have invested themselves, they will enjoy the full compensation value according to actual losses."

Article 23. Amend and supplement some clauses of Article 45

1. Amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

"2. The fire prevention and firefighting plan for forests established by organizations and People's Committees at the commune level according to points b and c, Clause 1 of this Article must be sent to the local Forest Inspection agency and the police station at the commune level for their comments."

2. Amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

"4. The forest owner is responsible for organizing the practice of the fire prevention and firefighting plan for forests according to the laws on forestry and related laws."

Article 24. Amend and supplement Clause 4 of Article 49

"4. Training and improving professional skills in fire prevention and firefighting for forests shall be carried out according to the laws on forestry and related laws."

Article 25. Supplement Article 51a following Article 51

"Article 51a. Directing, commanding, and mobilizing forces and means to extinguish forest fires

1. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the person authorized to be present at the scene of the forest fire is the person directing and commanding the extinguishing of the forest fire.

2. The Chairman of the Commune People's Committee or the person authorized to be present at the scene of the forest fire is the person directing and commanding the extinguishing of the forest fire when the person directing and commanding as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article is not present.

3. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Commune People's Committee mobilize, coordinate, and assign forces, personnel, means, equipment, tools, and assets of agencies, organizations, households, individuals, and community residents within their jurisdiction to participate in extinguishing the forest fire; ensure conditions for serving the extinguishing of the forest fire. Mobilization of forces, means, and assets for extinguishing forest fires must be expressed through a mobilization order according to Model No. 05 in Appendix III issued along with this Decree; in urgent cases, the mobilization order can be verbal but must be expressed in writing within three working days; the person issuing the order must clearly specify the requirements for personnel, means, and assets to be mobilized, time, and location of assembly. In emergency situations, the person directing and commanding may use the authority to demolish buildings, structures, and obstacles and move assets when extinguishing the forest fire.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Commune People's Committee, based on the actual situation of the locality, direct the establishment of a coordination regulation for mobilizing forces, means, and equipment to extinguish forest fires in the area.

4. Authority to direct and command the extinguishing of forest fires in cases where the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Commune People's Committee is not present at the scene:

a) The person holding the highest position in the Forest Protection force present at the scene of the fire is the person directing and commanding the extinguishing of the forest fire;

b) When there is a forest fire in a village or residential group and there is no person directing and commanding as stipulated in point a of this clause, the Village Chief or Group Leader is the person directing and commanding the extinguishing of the forest fire; if the Village Chief or Group Leader is absent, the authorized person is the person directing and commanding the extinguishing of the forest fire;

c) If there is no person directing and commanding the extinguishing of the forest fire as stipulated in points a and b of this clause, the forest owner is the person directing and commanding the extinguishing of the forest fire.

5. Tasks of the person directing and commanding the extinguishing of forest fires:

a) Tasks of the person directing the extinguishing of forest fires: comprehensively direct activities to extinguish forest fires; mobilize, coordinate, and assign forces, personnel, means, equipment, and assets of agencies, organizations, households, and individuals within their jurisdiction to participate in extinguishing forest fires; ensure conditions for extinguishing forest fires such as traffic, order, communication, logistics, and medical support;

b) Tasks of the person commanding the extinguishing of forest fires: directly manage forces and means participating in extinguishing forest fires; organize surveys of the fire; determine the location, direction of main firefighting efforts, and deployment of necessary forces, means, and equipment for firefighting, measures for firefighting; organize the implementation of measures to ensure safety for forces and means participating in firefighting, supporting activities in firefighting operations."

c) Decision to divide fire-fighting zones and coordinate, designate the commander for each firefighting force in each zone; cooperate with other forces to organize protection of fire-fighting areas and fire scenes; apply measures to protect materials and objects serving the investigation of the fire and determining the cause of forest fires;

d) Organize the assembly of forces and recovery of equipment back to units upon completion of the forest firefighting mission; after extinguishing the fire, require regular inspection of the scene to prevent the fire from reigniting;

đ) Report to the immediate superior leadership or as required by the competent authority on the situation and development of the fire. Perform other tasks as prescribed by laws on fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue operations.”

Article 26. Supplement Article 52a after Article 52

"Article 52a. Treatment and policies for persons directly involved in firefighting and firefighting support who are injured or killed

1. Persons participating in forest firefighting who have social insurance and health insurance, if they suffer accidents, injuries, or death during forest firefighting shall be entitled to benefits under labor accident and occupational disease regulations, social insurance, health insurance, and labor safety and hygiene laws. The period is calculated from the time of mobilization until the occurrence of the accident, injury, or death.

2. Persons participating in forest firefighting without social insurance and health insurance who suffer accidents, injuries, or death shall be entitled to treatment and policies similar to those for Civil Defense personnel as stipulated in Articles 14 and 15 of Decree No. 72/2020/NĐ-CP dated August 15, 2020 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Civil Defense regarding organization and construction of forces and treatment and policies for Civil Defense personnel.

3. Persons mobilized or called up for firefighting and firefighting support who die or are injured while performing their duties shall be considered for recognition as martyrs, wounded veterans, or persons entitled to benefits similar to wounded veterans according to laws on preferential treatment for persons meritorious to the revolution.”

Article 27. Amend and supplement Clause 3 of Article 69

"3. The forest owner is an organization that has been assigned to protect the forest

a) Before June 1st each year, based on the actual amount received from the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund, the forest owner organization that has been assigned to protect the forest determines the amount to be paid to the protected forest contractor;

b) The protected forest quota for more than 1 hectare shall not exceed the cost calculated according to the economic-technical standard patrol budget for forest protection as prescribed by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment multiplied by the local provincial labor unit price.”

Article 28. Amend and supplement Clause 4 of Article 70

"4. The People's Committee of the commune, other organizations entrusted by the State to manage forests shall develop plans for using forest environmental service funds to serve forest management and protection activities, submit them for approval by the Commune People's Council, and send them to the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund. The contents of expenditures include:

a) Expenditures for forest rangers, including wages, travel expenses, insurance, protective gear, and other expenses;

b) Purchase of equipment, tools, devices, fuel for patrolling and inspecting forests;

c) Support for individuals mobilized to participate in preventing illegal logging and forest fires who suffer accidents or injuries;

d) Overtime pay, night shift allowances, and concurrent job allowances;

đ) Dissemination, education, and training on legal matters and professional skills for forest management and protection;

e) Conferences, seminars, mid-term reviews, final summaries, and commendation activities;

g) Support for monitoring forest conditions, scattered tree planting, and establishing forest management records;

h) Other expenditures.”

Article 29. Amend and supplement Point g Clause 4 Article 71

“g) The People's Council at the commune level shall examine and approve the final account report on the forest environment service payment expenses submitted by the People's Committee at the commune level and other organizations entrusted by the State with the responsibility for managing forests;”

Article 30. Add Article 80a after Article 80

“Article 80a. Management and use of funds for replanting forests

1. Use of funds for replanting forests:

a) The Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level decides to use funds for replanting forests and interest from deposits of such funds to plant forests, encircle and promote natural regeneration or supplementary planting, and other forestry measures (hereinafter referred to collectively as replanting forests) within the province;

b) In cases where the Project Investor has fulfilled the obligation to pay the replanting forest fund but has not been authorized to change the purpose of using the forest land to another purpose, they shall be refunded the amount of money that has not been planned for replanting, except for the amount already used for replanting forests;

c) In cases where the Project Investor has fulfilled the obligation to pay the replanting forest fund but the area of forest land authorized to change the purpose of using the forest land to another purpose is less than the area specified in the project approval decision, they shall be refunded the amount of money that has not been planned for replanting, corresponding to the difference in area and the unit price paid by the Project Investor, except for the amount already used for replanting forests.

2. Management of funds for replanting forests:

a) The Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund or the Department of Agriculture and Environment for localities that have not established a Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund) and organizations and units entrusted with funds for replanting forests shall open accounts at the State Treasury to receive funds for replanting forests;

b) The Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund shall control the payment of funds for replanting forests according to the files stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article.

3. Advance payment and settlement documents:

a) For advance payments of funds for replanting forests, the documents include: the unit's request for transfer of funds; the decision approving the plan and assigning the unit to implement it; the decision approving the design and budget estimate; the decision approving the tender selection plan (if any); the contract and its appendices (if any);

b) For settlement of funds for replanting forests, the documents include: the documents stipulated in point a of this clause; the completion acceptance record for each phase of settlement; the overall completion acceptance record for the contract; the value determination table for completed work volume according to the contract; the contract termination record; invoices and other documents;

c) For settlement of funds for supporting production forest planting, the documents include: the unit's request for transfer of funds; the decision assigning the unit to implement; the decision approving the list of beneficiaries and areas for support; the decision approving the budget estimate for support; the planting acceptance record; the list of bank accounts of households and individuals receiving support for production forest planting (if any).

4. Settlement of funds for replanting forests:

a) The unit entrusted with receiving funds for replanting forests shall close the accounting books, prepare annual financial reports and complete project settlements. The content of the final account report on replanting forest funds shall comply with the provisions set out in Appendix IIIA issued together with this Decree;

b) The unit entrusted with receiving funds for replanting forests shall prepare and submit the report to the higher-level financial authority or the authority with delegated powers or the authority assigned by the competent authority to examine and approve the final account report on replanting forest funds.

5. Management and use of assets formed from funds for replanting forests:

a) The unit entrusted with implementing replanting forests shall be responsible for transferring planted forests and naturally regenerated forests after investment from replanting forest funds to the forest owner, the People's Committee at the commune level for areas not yet allocated or leased for management in accordance with forestry laws;

b) Planted forests and naturally regenerated forests formed from replanting forest funds shall be managed and used in accordance with forest management regulations;

c) For funds for replanting forests used to implement planting in state-owned enterprises, the accounting entries and increase in registered capital shall be carried out in accordance with the laws on state capital management and investment in enterprises.”.

Article 31. Amend and supplement Point a Clause 3 Article 87

“a) Applying high technology, advanced technology, new technology in investigation, inventory, monitoring forest dynamics; forest fire prevention and firefighting; prevention and control of harmful organisms in forests; selection, creation, and propagation of timber tree species and non-timber forest products; conservation and development of high-quality forest crop varieties adaptable to climate change; preservation, restoration, production, and supply of original seeds; building databases, strategies for development and investment in physical facilities serving research and conservation of forest crop genetic resources; improving the quality of natural forests;”

Article 32. Add Article 89a after Article 89

"Article 89a. Handling of assets and management, utilization of revenue from logging of state-owned forest products

1. Revenue from logging of state-owned forest products managed by the State on behalf of the owner and uniformly managed and utilized according to the provisions of the law includes:

a) Main logging, utilization logging, residual logging of wood and non-wood forest products;

b) Logging of ordinary wild animals.

2. Principles of management and utilization of revenue from logging:

a) Compliance with the provisions of forestry laws, management and utilization of public property, state budget, and related laws;

b) Ensuring unified, transparent, and clear management; using for intended purposes, effectively, economically, preventing waste, and combating corruption;

c) Ensuring harmonization of interests between the State, organizations, community, and individuals participating in forestry activities;

d) Management and utilization of revenues and expenditures from logging must comply with financial and accounting laws;

đ) Revenue utilization can only be implemented after fulfilling financial obligations as prescribed; revenue from logging shall be prioritized for investment and funding forest management, protection, and development activities according to forestry laws.

3. Authority to approve plans for handling assets from logging:

a) The Minister or head of central agencies decides or delegates authority to decide on assets within their jurisdiction;

b) The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides or delegates authority to decide on assets within local jurisdiction.

4. Forest owners and units assigned to develop plans for handling assets from logging have the responsibility to submit such plans to the competent authority for approval. The content of the asset handling plan is detailed in Appendix IIIB issued together with this Decree.

5. Forms of asset handling:

a) Assets are handled through selling forest products and other forms as stipulated by laws on the management and utilization of public property. The method of auctioning forest products before or after logging is specified in the asset handling plan decided by the competent authority as provided in Clause 3 of this Article;

b) In cases where assets are no longer existent or have no value for use or economic value: they shall be cut down, cleared, destroyed, or handled in other ways as prescribed by law. For forest products with use and economic value, the method prescribed in Point a of this Clause shall apply;

c) In cases where assets have value but are small in value, insufficient to cover costs of inventory, measurement, transportation, storage, valuation, appraisal, auction organization, and other related costs, the competent authority decides to implement direct sale methods or public notice pricing to ensure transparency and avoid loss and waste;

d) In cases where assets from logging are managed by communities, households, or individuals as forest owners, the competent authority decides to implement direct sale methods or public notice pricing to ensure transparency and avoid loss and waste.

6. Implementation of asset handling:

a) Forest owners and agencies assigned the task of organizing the sale of assets from logging and other forms as prescribed in Decree No. 186/2025/NĐ-CP and relevant laws;

b) Auctioning of assets from logging shall be carried out in accordance with laws on pricing and auctioning of assets.

7. Management and utilization of funds from logging:

a) Revenues as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article must be inventoried, valued, sold through auctions or as prescribed, recorded, and fully deposited into the state budget;

b) The revenue from logging is deposited into a temporary account at the State Treasury, after deducting related costs for asset handling, financial obligations as prescribed by the state, and benefits as prescribed in Clause 8 of this Article, the remainder is fully deposited into the state budget. Costs related to asset handling from logging include: survey, investigation, inventory, measurement, calculation of stock volume, yield, value (if applicable); development of logging plans, asset handling plans; cutting down, clearing, destruction; felling, cutting, stacking, transporting forest products; valuation and appraisal; organizing auctions, and other reasonable costs;

c) In cases where there is no revenue from selling forest products or the revenue from selling forest products is less than the cost of implementing the asset handling plan from logging, the following measures shall be taken:

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee considers utilizing local government budgets for forests under local management;

Ministries and central agencies consider utilizing annual allocated budgets for forests under their management.

8. Forest owners and related parties benefit from logging according to the forest management regulations and the rights and obligations of forest owners as prescribed by forestry laws after fulfilling financial obligations as prescribed by the state and related costs for asset handling

a) For forest owners who are households, individuals, and communities:

Shall enjoy all forest products harvested from natural forests, planted forests funded by state budget, supported by programs and projects with state budget origins, and planted forests from funds for replanting; the proceeds from harvesting forest products after fulfilling financial obligations and related costs for asset management shall be used for managing, protecting, developing forests, and improving living standards.

b) For forest owners as stipulated in Clauses 1, 3, and 4 of Article 8 of the Forestry Law:

Shall enjoy all forest products harvested from natural forests, planted forests funded by the state budget, supported by programs and projects with state budget origins, and funds for replanting;

The proceeds from harvesting forest products after fulfilling financial obligations and related costs for asset management shall be the revenue of the forest owner, to be recorded, managed, and utilized in accordance with laws on the state budget and laws on the management and use of public assets, prioritizing expenditures for activities as specified in Clause 9 of this Article.

c) For forest owners as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 8 of the Forestry Law:

The proceeds from harvesting forest products after fulfilling financial obligations and related costs for asset management shall be remitted to the state budget. In cases where the forest owner is a state-owned enterprise, it shall comply with the provisions of point b of this Clause.

d) For People's Committees at commune level assigned to manage forest areas: The proceeds from harvesting forest products after fulfilling financial obligations and related costs for asset management shall be remitted to the state budget, prioritizing expenditures for activities as specified in Clause 9 of this Article.

9. Revenue from harvesting forest products of the forest owner shall be invested in activities for protecting and developing forests, reforestation after harvesting, sustainable forest management, restoring and enhancing forest quality, investing in facilities serving forest management, fire prevention and firefighting, and supporting forest protection activities of forest protection forces and local communities.”

Article 33. Supplement Article 89b following Article 89a

"Article 89b. Management and utilization of revenue from leasing forest environment

1. Revenue from leasing the forest environment for ecotourism, resort, and entertainment services is the revenue of the forest owner as prescribed by forestry laws.

2. All revenues and expenditures from leasing the forest environment must be recorded, managed, and utilized in accordance with laws on finance and accounting; priority shall be given to expenditures for forest management, protection, and development activities.

3. Management and utilization of revenue from leasing the forest environment:

a) For forest owners that are public service units: the management and utilization of revenue from leasing the forest environment shall be carried out in accordance with laws on the financial autonomy mechanism of public service units and relevant laws;

b) For forest owners that are households, individuals, and community residents: the revenue shall be used to increase income, improve living standards, create sustainable livelihoods from the forest, and fund forest management, protection, and development activities;

c) For forest owners that are other organizations: the revenue shall be recorded, managed, and utilized in accordance with laws on enterprises, accounting, and current financial regulations.”.

Article 34. Replacing, supplementing, and abolishing certain words, phrases, points, clauses, and articles

1. Replace the phrase "Agriculture and Rural Development" with the phrase "Agriculture and Environment" in Clause 1, Article 10; Point b, Clause 1, Point b, Clause 2, Point b, Clause 4, Article 12; Clause 1, Article 18; Point b, Clause 1, Point b and Point c, Clause 3, Point b, Clause 5, Article 20; Point a, Clause 3, Article 25; Clause 3, Article 27; Point b, Clause 3, Article 28; Point a, Clause 1, Point b, Clause 3, Article 29; Clause 4, Article 33; Clause 3, Article 34; Clause 6, Article 59; Clause 1, Article 64; Point a and Point c, Clause 1, Article 68; Point a, Clause 1, Article 69; Point a, Clause 1, Article 70; Point d and Point đ, Clause 4, Article 71; Point a and Point b, Clause 1, Article 72; Clause 1, Point đ, Clause 2, Article 75; Point i, Clause 1, Article 76; Point c, Clause 1, Point a, Clause 2, Article 77; Point c, Clause 2, Article 78; Point a and Point b, Clause 1, Point b, Clause 2, Article 81; Point b and Point c, Clause 1, Point b, Clause 2, Article 84.

2. Replace the phrase "Government regulations on forest plant management, endangered, precious, rare wild animal management, and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" with the phrase "Minister of Agriculture and Environment's regulations on endangered, precious, rare species management, common wild animal management, and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" in Point a, Clause 2, Article 11; Point a, Clause 2, Article 19; Point a, Clause 2, Article 26; Clause 6, Article 28; Clause 4, Article 29; replace the phrase "legal regulations on forest plant management, endangered, precious, rare wild animal management, and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" with the phrase "Minister of Agriculture and Environment's regulations on endangered, precious, rare species management, common wild animal management, and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" in Clause 4, Article 32a.

3. Replace the phrase "district level" with the phrase "commune level" in Point b, Clause 3, Article 50.

4. Replace the phrase "Forest Protection Department" with the phrase "Forest Protection and Inspection Department" in Clause 1, Article 75 and Point đ, Clause 1, Article 76.

5. Abolish the word "district," in Point a, Clause 2, Article 70.

6. Abolish the phrase "due to changing the purpose of using forest land to another purpose" in Point b, Clause 1 and Point b, Clause 2, Article 79; abolish the phrase "due to changing the purpose of using forest land to another purpose" in Point b, Clause 1 and Point b, Clause 2, Article 80.

7. Replace Appendix II promulgated together with Decree No. 91/2024/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2024 of the Government with Appendix IIA promulgated together with this Decree.

8. Supplement Appendices IB, IC, and IIIA promulgated together with this Decree.

9. Supplement Model No. 05 into Appendix III promulgated together with Decree No. 156/2018/NĐ-CP dated November 16, 2018 of the Government.

10. Replace the phrase "Industrial Livestock Farming Facility" with the phrase "Large-Scale and Medium-Sized Livestock Farms" in Clause 1, Appendix VIII promulgated together with Decree No. 91/2024/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2024 of the Government.

Chapter II

AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO CERTAIN ARTICLES OF DECREE NO. 58/2024/NĐ-CP DATED MAY 24, 2024 OF THE GOVERNMENT

ON SOME INVESTMENT POLICIES IN FORESTRY

Article 35. Amend and supplement Clause 6 of Article 3

"6. A commune in Region II is a commune located within an area with difficult socio-economic conditions; a commune in Region III is a commune located within an area with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions in ethnic minority and mountainous regions as prescribed by laws on the demarcation of ethnic minority and mountainous regions and relevant laws."

Article 36. Amend and supplement some Points and Clauses of Article 5

1. Add Point d to follow Point d of Clause 1 as follows:

“d) The People's Commune Council managing areas of forest that have not yet been allocated or leased.”

2. Amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. Funding levels:

a) For the objects prescribed in Points a, b, and d of Clause 1 of this Article, the State shall provide funding for forest protection at an average rate of VND 500,000 per hectare per year based on the total allocated area outside the regular operating budget of the units.

b) For the object prescribed in Point c of Clause 1 of this Article, the State shall provide funding for forest protection at an average rate of VND 1,000,000 per hectare per year based on the total area of special-use forests allocated.

c) For the object prescribed in Point d of Clause 1 of this Article, the State shall provide funding for forest protection at an average rate of VND 300,000 per hectare per year based on the total area of forest under management.

d) Funding for forest protection in Regions II and III shall be 1.2 times the average level, and in coastal areas, it shall be 1.5 times the average level prescribed in Points a, b, and c of this Clause.

đ) For the object prescribed in Point c of Clause 1 of this Article, the cost for preparing initial documentation on forest protection is VND 150,000 per hectare, and the management, inspection, and acceptance costs for forest protection are 7% of the total annual forest protection expenditure.”

3. Amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Content of expenditure:

a) For the object prescribed in Point a of Clause 1 of this Article, the following activities shall be carried out:

Contracting forest protection for households, individuals, and community residents in the locality as stipulated in Article 19 of this Decree;

Labor costs for dedicated forest protection forces who are not entitled to state-funded salaries; hiring labor for forest protection;

Purchasing, repairing equipment, and tools serving forest protection and supporting safety equipment for dedicated forest protection forces;

Maintenance, repair, and improvement of fire prevention and firefighting facilities, forest protection stations, warning signs, boundary markers, and rescue, conservation, and development facilities for wildlife and plants;

Monitoring, statistics, investigation, and supervision of forest resource dynamics and biodiversity; preventing and controlling forest pests;

Supporting forces participating in crackdowns, patrols, inspections, and supervision of forest protection work; training specialized skills for dedicated forest protection forces; organizing agreements and commitments for forest protection and fire prevention and firefighting; supporting community education on forest protection awareness enhancement; promoting legal education in the community;

Expenditure on developing fire prevention and firefighting plans; fire drills; reducing flammable materials; overtime fire prevention and firefighting duty during dry months; and expenses for meetings serving forest protection work;

Supporting travel, guidance, inspection, supervision, and community meetings to implement activities as stipulated in Article 8 of this Decree;

Implementing other forest protection activities as prescribed by forestry laws.

b) For the object prescribed in Point b of Clause 1 of this Article, the following activities shall be carried out:

Hiring labor for forest protection; labor costs for dedicated forest protection forces who are not entitled to state-funded salaries;

Purchasing, repairing equipment, and tools serving forest protection and supporting safety equipment for forest protection forces;

Maintenance, repair, and improvement of fire prevention and firefighting facilities, forest protection stations, warning signs, boundary markers, and rescue, conservation, and development facilities for wildlife and plants;

Monitoring, statistics, investigation, and supervision of forest resource dynamics and biodiversity; preventing and controlling forest pests;

Supporting forces participating in crackdowns, patrols, inspections, and supervision of forest protection work; training specialized skills for dedicated forest protection forces; organizing agreements and commitments for forest protection and fire prevention and firefighting; supporting community education on forest protection awareness enhancement; promoting legal education in the community;

Expenditure on developing fire prevention and firefighting plans; reducing flammable materials; fire drills; overtime fire prevention and firefighting duty during dry months; and expenses for meetings serving forest protection work;

Implementing other forest protection activities as prescribed by forestry laws.

c) For the object prescribed in Point c of Clause 1 of this Article, the forest owner shall decide on forest protection activities according to forestry laws.

d) For the object prescribed in Point d of Clause 1 of this Article: for state-owned enterprises, contracting forest protection for households, individuals, and community residents in the locality as stipulated in Article 19 of this Decree and other forest protection activities decided by the forest owner according to forestry laws. For other organizations, they shall manage and protect forests according to sustainable forest management plans and decisions made by the forest owner according to forestry laws.

đ) For the object prescribed in Point đ of Clause 1 of this Article, the following activities shall be carried out:

Maintaining the regular operation of mass forest protection teams; promoting and educating the law on forest protection;

Signing labor contracts for forest protection, fire prevention, firefighting, and other activities in forest management and protection; organizing activities to combat illegal logging and deforestation;

Expenditure on developing fire prevention and firefighting plans, fire drills; overtime fire prevention and firefighting duty during dry months; and expenses for meetings serving forest protection work;

Article 1 ||| Expenses for management, inspection, and supervision of forest protection; expenses for establishing and receiving applications for allocating forests, leasing forests, and allocating land, leasing forestry land to organizations, households, individuals, and community residents within their jurisdiction.

e) Based on the annual state budget allocation, the subjects specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall prioritize implementing forest protection expenses for areas at high risk of forest resource damage; forests with high biodiversity value that need protection.”

4. Amend and supplement some points of Clause 4 as follows:

Amend and supplement point a as follows:

“a) The subjects specified in Points a and b of Clause 1 of this Article shall implement as follows:

Based on the annual budget for forest management and protection expenses allocated, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development decides to allocate specific funds to each forest management board under the Ministry; the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province decides to allocate specific funds to each local forest management board. The establishment and approval of the expense items specified in Clause 3 of this Article shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clause 5 of Article 27 of this Decree.”

b) Add Point d after Point c as follows:

“d) The subjects specified in Point đ of Clause 1 of this Article shall implement as follows:

Before May 30 each year, the People's Committee of the commune shall develop plans and budgets for forest protection expenses for forest areas not yet allocated or leased for the following year and include them in the commune's annual budget plan, submitting for approval and annual allocation of funds according to the State Budget Law from the operating fund source.”

Article 37 ||| Amend and supplement Clause 2 of Article 6

“2. Content and level of funding:

a) Encirclement and promotion of natural regeneration: average funding level of 2,500,000 VND/ha/year over a period of 6 years. For coastal areas, it is 1.5 times the average level.

b) Encirclement and promotion of natural regeneration with supplementary planting: according to economic and technical standards, design, and project estimates of forestry works approved by competent state authorities.

c) Costs for preparing design and estimate documents for encirclement and promotion of natural regeneration, encirclement and promotion of natural regeneration with supplementary planting are determined based on approved estimates; management, inspection, and acceptance costs amount to 7% of the total funding for encirclement and promotion of natural regeneration, encirclement and promotion of natural regeneration with supplementary planting annually.”

Article 38 ||| Amend and supplement Clause 1 of Article 8

“1. Subjects and level of support: communities residing in buffer zones of special-use forests are supported at an average rate of 100,000,000 VND/community/year.”

Article 39 ||| Amend and supplement some points and clauses of Article 9

1. Amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. Funding levels:

a) The subjects specified in Points a, b, c, and e of Clause 1 of this Article shall be provided with forest protection funding by the State according to the provisions of Point a of Clause 2 of Article 5 of this Decree.

b) The subjects specified in Point d of Clause 1 of this Article shall be provided with forest protection funding by the State according to the provisions of Point b of Clause 2 of Article 5 of this Decree.

c) The subjects specified in Point đ of Clause 1 of this Article shall be provided with forest protection funding by the State according to the provisions of Point c of Clause 2 of Article 5 of this Decree.

d) Funding for forest protection in Regions II and III shall be 1.2 times the average level, and in coastal areas, it shall be 1.5 times the average level prescribed in Points a, b, and c of this Clause.

đ) The subjects specified in Point d of Clause 1 of this Article, the initial cost for preparing forest protection documents is 150,000 VND/ha and the management, inspection, and acceptance cost for forest protection is 7% of the total annual forest protection funding.”

2. Amend and supplement Point đ of Clause 3 as follows:

“đ) The subjects specified in Point đ of Clause 1 of this Article shall implement the contents as stipulated in Point đ of Clause 3 of Article 5 of this Decree.”

3. Amend and supplement Point d of Clause 4 as follows:

“d) The subjects specified in Point đ of Clause 1 of this Article shall implement according to the provisions of Point d of Clause 4 of Article 5 of this Decree.”

Article 40. Amend and supplement some points and clauses of Article 12

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm e khoản 1 như sau:

“e) Các đối tượng khác theo quy định tại khoản 3 và khoản 4 Điều 8 Luật Lâm nghiệp.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 2 như sau:

“2. Mức kinh phí:

a) Đối tượng quy định tại các điểm a, b, c và e khoản 1 Điều này được Nhà nước cấp kinh phí bảo vệ rừng theo quy định tại điểm a khoản 2 Điều 5 Nghị định này.

b) Đối tượng quy định tại điểm d khoản 1 Điều này, được Nhà nước cấp kinh phí bảo vệ rừng theo quy định tại điểm b khoản 2 Điều 5 Nghị định này.

c) Đối tượng quy định tại điểm đ khoản 1 Điều này được Nhà nước cấp kinh phí bảo vệ rừng theo quy định tại điểm c khoản 2 Điều 5 Nghị định này.

d) Kinh phí bảo vệ rừng đối với khu vực II, III bằng 1,2 lần mức bình quân, vùng đất ven biển bằng 1,5 lần mức bình quân quy định tại các điểm a, b và c khoản này.

đ) Đối tượng tại điểm d khoản 1 Điều này, chi phí lập hồ sơ lần đầu về bảo vệ rừng là 150.000 đồng/ha và kinh phí quản lý, kiểm tra, nghiệm thu bảo vệ rừng là 7% trên tổng kinh phí chi cho bảo vệ rừng hằng năm.”.

Điều 41. Sửa đổi, bổ sung Điều 13

“Điều 13. Hỗ trợ khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên và khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên có trồng bổ sung thuộc quy hoạch rừng sản xuất là rừng tự nhiên

1. Đối tượng: chủ rừng là tổ chức, hộ gia đình, cá nhân, cộng đồng dân cư đang sinh sống ổn định tại các vùng biên giới, hải đảo, vùng đồng bào dân tộc thiểu số và miền núi theo quy định của Chính phủ thực hiện khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên, khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên có trồng bổ sung thuộc quy hoạch rừng sản xuất là rừng tự nhiên.

2. Nội dung và mức kinh phí thực hiện theo quy định tại khoản 2 Điều 6 Nghị định này.

3. Phê duyệt thiết kế, dự toán khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên, khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên có trồng bổ sung thực hiện theo quy định tại Điều 32 Nghị định này.”.

Điều 42. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số khoản của Điều 14

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 1 như sau:

“1. Đối tượng: chủ rừng là hộ gia đình, cá nhân, cộng đồng dân cư đang sinh sống ổn định tại các vùng biên giới, hải đảo, vùng đồng bào dân tộc thiểu số và miền núi theo quy định của Chính phủ thực hiện trồng rừng sản xuất, trồng cây lâm sản ngoài gỗ trên diện tích đất được giao, được cho thuê thuộc quy hoạch đất rừng sản xuất.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 4 như sau:

“4. Phương thức hỗ trợ: hỗ trợ đầu tư theo dự án được cấp có thẩm quyền phê duyệt.

Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh giao cơ quan chuyên môn về lĩnh vực lâm nghiệp hoặc Ủy ban nhân dân cấp xã lập và làm chủ đầu tư dự án hỗ trợ đầu tư trồng rừng sản xuất và phát triển lâm sản ngoài gỗ trên địa bàn, trình Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh phê duyệt.”.

Điều 43. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm đ khoản 2 Điều 15

“đ) Trình tự, thủ tục hỗ trợ lãi suất vốn vay tại ngân hàng:

Chủ rừng nộp 01 bộ hồ sơ đến Ủy ban nhân dân cấp xã bằng cách thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia;

Bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ kiểm tra tính chính xác, đầy đủ của hồ sơ, trả lời ngay tính hợp lệ của hồ sơ đối với hồ sơ nộp trực tiếp, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc đối với hồ sơ nộp qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia; trường hợp hồ sơ không hợp lệ thì thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;

Hồ sơ gồm: văn bản đề nghị hỗ trợ lãi suất vốn vay tại ngân hàng theo Mẫu số 03 Phụ lục kèm theo Nghị định này; bản thiết kế trồng rừng, chăm sóc năm thứ nhất theo Mẫu số 04 Phụ lục kèm theo Nghị định này; bản sao hợp đồng tín dụng đã ký giữa chủ rừng và ngân hàng thương mại;

Trong thời hạn 10 ngày làm việc, kể từ khi nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, Ủy ban nhân dân cấp xã chủ trì, phối hợp với các cơ quan có liên quan tổ chức xác minh hồ sơ đề nghị hỗ trợ lãi suất và lập biên bản xác minh điều kiện hỗ trợ lãi suất vốn vay tại ngân hàng theo Mẫu số 05 Phụ lục kèm theo Nghị định này, trình Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh.

Trong thời hạn 03 ngày làm việc, Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh xem xét quyết định hỗ trợ lãi suất vốn vay tại ngân hàng; trường hợp không hỗ trợ, thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;”.

Điều 44. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 3 Điều 19

“3. Mức kinh phí khoán bảo vệ rừng:

a) Mức kinh phí khoán bảo vệ rừng đặc dụng, rừng phòng hộ, rừng sản xuất là rừng tự nhiên từ ngân sách nhà nước bình quân 1.000.000 đồng/ha/năm. Đối với diện tích rừng thuộc khu vực II, III bằng 1,2 lần mức bình quân, vùng đất ven biển bằng 1,5 lần mức bình quân.

b) Chi phí lập hồ sơ lần đầu cho khoán bảo vệ rừng là 150.000 đồng/ha; kinh phí quản lý, kiểm tra, nghiệm thu khoán bảo vệ rừng là 7% trên tổng kinh phí chi cho khoán bảo vệ rừng hằng năm.”.

Điều 45. Sửa đổi bổ sung khoản 2 Điều 20

“2. Nội dung và mức chi:

a) Chi tiền ăn đối với các lực lượng và những người tham gia chữa cháy rừng (bao gồm cả người hưởng lương và người không hưởng lương từ ngân sách nhà nước) theo lệnh điều động, huy động của người có thẩm quyền tối đa bằng 0,4 ngày lương tối thiểu vùng/suất ăn.

b) Chi cho người được điều động, huy động trực tiếp chữa cháy rừng và phục vụ chữa cháy rừng theo lệnh điều động, huy động như sau:

Người không hưởng lương ngân sách nhà nước khi được huy động, khi tham gia chữa cháy rừng được hưởng tiền bồi dưỡng như sau: Nếu thời gian chữa cháy rừng dưới 02 giờ được hưởng tiền bồi dưỡng tối thiểu bằng 0,3 ngày lương tối thiểu vùng; nếu thời gian chữa cháy rừng từ 02 giờ đến dưới 04 giờ được hưởng tiền bồi dưỡng tối thiểu bằng 0,45 ngày lương tối thiểu vùng; nếu thời gian chữa cháy rừng từ 04 giờ trở lên hoặc chữa cháy rừng nhiều ngày thì cứ 04 giờ được hưởng tiền bồi dưỡng tối thiểu bằng 0,6 ngày lương tối thiểu vùng; nếu tham gia chữa cháy, cứu nạn, cứu hộ vào ban đêm từ 22 giờ đến 6 giờ sáng ngày hôm sau thì được tính gấp hai lần theo cách tính trên;

Người hưởng lương từ ngân sách nhà nước: Trong thời gian tham gia chữa cháy rừng, người được huy động được cơ quan, tổ chức nơi làm việc trả nguyên lương và các khoản phụ cấp theo quy định hiện hành;

Thời gian chữa cháy rừng được tính kể từ khi người tham gia chữa cháy rừng nhận được lệnh điều động, huy động tham gia chữa cháy đến khi đám cháy được dập tắt và có thông báo kết thúc thời gian chữa cháy của người có thẩm quyền huy động. Khi chữa cháy rừng ở cách xa nơi cư trú, không có điều kiện đi, về hằng ngày thì được cấp huy động bố trí nơi ăn, nghỉ, hỗ trợ phương tiện, chi phí đi lại hoặc thanh toán tiền tàu xe một lần đi và về theo quy định chế độ công tác của Bộ Tài chính; được hỗ trợ tiền ăn theo mức do Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh quy định.

c) Chi cho việc mua nước uống cho người trực tiếp chữa cháy rừng và phục vụ chữa cháy rừng, mua nhiên liệu (xăng, dầu), sửa chữa, bồi thường thiệt hại khi phương tiện, thiết bị được huy động, thuê để chữa cháy rừng. Đối với phương tiện, thiết bị của chủ sở hữu (trừ chủ rừng) được huy động trực tiếp tham gia và phục vụ chữa cháy rừng được thanh toán chi phí nhiên liệu, sửa chữa hoặc bồi thường thiệt hại (nếu bị hư hỏng) theo quy định hiện hành.”.

Điều 46. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số khoản của Điều 21

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 2 như sau:

“2. Mức trợ cấp: 15 kg gạo/khẩu/tháng. Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh quyết định đối tượng được trợ cấp, mức trợ cấp, hình thức trợ cấp cụ thể theo diện tích, số khẩu phù hợp với thực tế của địa phương và thời gian trợ cấp nhưng tối đa 7 năm, đảm bảo các nguyên tắc sau:

a) Mức trợ cấp gạo cho hộ gia đình thực hiện trồng rừng thay thế nương rẫy trong năm căn cứ vào diện tích trồng rừng thực tế và thời gian chưa tự túc được lương thực không quá 6 tháng nhưng tối đa không quá 450 kg/năm;

b) Mức gạo trợ cấp cho hộ gia đình thực hiện bảo vệ và phát triển rừng trong năm căn cứ vào diện tích thực hiện bảo vệ và phát triển rừng và trong thời gian chưa tự túc được lương thực không quá 4 tháng nhưng tối đa không quá 300 kg/năm;

c) Đối với hộ gia đình thực hiện tất cả hoạt động trồng rừng thay thế nương rẫy và hoạt động bảo vệ và phát triển rừng thì được hưởng theo mức trợ cấp cho hoạt động cao hơn;

d) Cách tính mức trợ cấp gạo cụ thể theo Mẫu số 08 Phụ lục kèm theo Nghị định này.”.                                                                                                          

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 6 như sau:

“6. Thực hiện trợ cấp gạo từ nguồn dự trữ quốc gia:

a) Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh xây dựng kế hoạch, tổng hợp danh sách, đơn vị tiếp nhận, mức trợ cấp, số lượng gạo hỗ trợ, thời gian hỗ trợ gạo, gửi xin ý kiến Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường, Bộ Dân tộc và Tôn giáo và Bộ Tài chính; trên cơ sở ý kiến của các bộ, Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh ban hành quyết định hỗ trợ gạo cho địa phương;

b) Căn cứ quyết định hỗ trợ gạo của Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh, Bộ trưởng Bộ Tài chính ban hành quyết định xuất cấp gạo dự trữ quốc gia để hỗ trợ cho địa phương và giao Cục Dự trữ Nhà nước tổ chức thực hiện xuất cấp gạo dự trữ quốc gia hỗ trợ cho các địa phương theo đúng quy định;

c) Các đơn vị dự trữ quốc gia được giao nhiệm vụ xuất cấp gạo tổ chức vận chuyển gạo cho đơn vị tiếp nhận gạo theo quyết định của Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh tại trung tâm xã, phường, đặc khu trực thuộc tỉnh được hỗ trợ. Kinh phí đảm bảo cho việc xuất cấp, vận chuyển, giao nhận gạo từ kho dự trữ quốc gia đến trung tâm xã, phường, đặc khu được bố trí từ chi dự trữ quốc gia;

d) Đơn vị tiếp nhận gạo của tỉnh có trách nhiệm tổ chức tiếp nhận gạo trên phương tiện vận chuyển của bên giao tại trung tâm xã, phường, đặc khu trực thuộc tỉnh. Kinh phí vận chuyển gạo từ trung tâm xã, phường, đặc khu đến đối tượng được hỗ trợ gạo được cân đối trong dự toán chi thường xuyên hằng năm theo phân cấp quản lý hiện hành;

đ) Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh chỉ đạo, hướng dẫn việc tiếp nhận, cấp gạo và sử dụng gạo dự trữ quốc gia được hỗ trợ. Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh chịu trách nhiệm trước pháp luật về việc quản lý, phân phối, sử dụng gạo được hỗ trợ của địa phương.”.

Điều 47. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số điểm của khoản 1 Điều 25

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm m như sau:

“m) Điều tra, thu thập và đánh giá nguồn gen giống cây trồng lâm nghiệp; xây dựng ngân hàng gen, dữ liệu nguồn gen giống cây trồng lâm nghiệp; nghiên cứu chọn, tạo, khảo nghiệm giống cây trồng lâm nghiệp; lưu giữ, sản xuất, cung ứng giống gốc cây trồng lâm nghiệp thuộc nhiệm vụ công ích và thực hiện theo cơ chế đặt hàng, bảo đảm đáp ứng các điều kiện theo quy định của pháp luật;”.

2. Bổ sung điểm m1 vào sau điểm m như sau:

“m1) Hoạt động thông tin, tuyên truyền, tập huấn và thực hiện các nhiệm vụ đặc thù, đột xuất về phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng;”.

Điều 48. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số khoản của Điều 27

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 2 như sau:

“2. Nguồn kinh phí từ chi trả dịch vụ môi trường rừng thực hiện theo quy định tại Nghị định số 156/2018/NĐ-CP ngày 16 tháng 11 năm 2018 của Chính phủ quy định chi tiết thi hành một số điều của Luật Lâm nghiệp và các quy định của Chính phủ về dịch vụ hấp thụ và lưu giữ các-bon của rừng, giảm phát thải khí nhà kính, được sử dụng để chi cho bảo vệ rừng, khoán bảo vệ rừng ngoài nguồn kinh phí hỗ trợ từ ngân sách nhà nước theo mức đầu tư, hỗ trợ đầu tư quy định tại Nghị định này. Mức khoán bảo vệ rừng trên 1 ha từ các nguồn không vượt quá mức kinh phí được tính theo định mức kinh tế - kỹ thuật tuần tra bảo vệ rừng theo quy định của Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường nhân với đơn giá nhân công trên địa bàn tỉnh.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 3 như sau:

“3. Mức đầu tư, hỗ trợ đầu tư, mức khoán bảo vệ rừng tại địa phương thực hiện theo quy định tại các Điều 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 21, 22 và 23 Nghị định này. Trường hợp cần quy định mức đầu tư, hỗ trợ đầu tư cụ thể, Hội đồng nhân dân cấp tỉnh quyết định mức cụ thể phù hợp với điều kiện kinh tế - xã hội của địa phương.”.

3. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 4 như sau:

“4. Mức đầu tư, hỗ trợ đầu tư, mức khoán bảo vệ rừng tại các bộ, ngành thực hiện theo quy định tại các Điều 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19 và 22 Nghị định này. Trường hợp cần quy định mức đầu tư, hỗ trợ đầu tư cụ thể, các bộ, ngành quyết định mức cụ thể đối với chủ rừng trực thuộc.”.

4. Bổ sung khoản 8 vào sau khoản 7 như sau:

“8. Trường hợp diện tích rừng thuộc đồng thời khu vực II, III và vùng đất ven biển thì được áp dụng mức đầu tư, hỗ trợ đầu tư cao nhất từ ngân sách nhà nước theo quy định. Trường hợp chương trình, dự án hoặc chính sách đang triển khai trên địa bàn có hỗ trợ đối với một trong các đối tượng này thì thực hiện theo mức hỗ trợ, đầu tư áp dụng cho đối tượng được hưởng trong chương trình, dự án hoặc chính sách đó.”.

Điều 49. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 2 Điều 29

“2. Dự toán đối với khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên, khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên có trồng bổ sung, bảo vệ rừng

a) Chi phí khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên có trồng bổ sung, khoanh nuôi xúc tiến tái sinh tự nhiên, lập hồ sơ và các chi phí khác áp dụng theo quy định tại khoản 2 Điều 6, khoản 2 Điều 10, khoản 2 Điều 13 Nghị định này và định mức kinh tế - kỹ thuật trồng rừng theo quy định của Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường.

b) Đối với bảo vệ rừng, khoán bảo vệ rừng: nội dung chi, mức kinh phí, chi phí lập hồ sơ và các chi phí khác áp dụng theo quy định tại khoản 2 và khoản 3 Điều 5, khoản 2 và khoản 3 Điều 9, khoản 2 và khoản 3 Điều 12 và khoản 3 Điều 19 Nghị định này.”.

Điều 50. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số điểm, khoản của Điều 31

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm d khoản 1 như sau:

“d) Đối với công trình lâm sinh thuộc dự án do Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp xã quyết định đầu tư: cơ quan chuyên môn về nông nghiệp và môi trường cấp xã tổ chức thẩm định thiết kế, dự toán công trình lâm sinh.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 2 như sau:

“2. Trình tự thẩm định, thiết kế dự toán công trình lâm sinh:

a) Chủ đầu tư nộp 01 bộ hồ sơ theo quy định tại Điều 30 Nghị định này đến cơ quan chủ trì thẩm định quy định tại khoản 1 Điều này bằng cách thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia;

b) Bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ kiểm tra tính chính xác, đầy đủ của hồ sơ, trả lời ngay tính hợp lệ của hồ sơ đối với hồ sơ nộp trực tiếp, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc đối với hồ sơ nộp qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia; trường hợp hồ sơ không hợp lệ thì thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;

c) Trong thời hạn 09 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, cơ quan chủ trì thẩm định tổ chức thẩm định và hoàn thiện báo cáo kết quả thẩm định theo Mẫu số 15 Phụ lục ban hành kèm theo Nghị định này; trả kết quả cho bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ để thông báo kết quả thẩm định cho chủ đầu tư.”.

Điều 51. Sửa đổi, bổ sung Điều 35

“Điều 35. Trách nhiệm của các bộ, cơ quan ngang bộ

1. Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường

a) Chủ trì, phối hợp với Bộ Tài chính và các cơ quan liên quan tổng hợp kế hoạch, dự toán kinh phí sự nghiệp hằng năm của các bộ, ngành và địa phương thực hiện Nghị định này; hướng dẫn, kiểm tra các địa phương tổ chức triển khai thực hiện Nghị định này;

b) Ban hành các tiêu chuẩn, định mức kinh tế - kỹ thuật để thực hiện Nghị định này.

2. Bộ Tài chính

a) Tổng hợp nhu cầu kế hoạch đầu tư công trung hạn, hằng năm và kinh phí chi thường xuyên ngân sách trung ương hàng năm trên cơ sở đề xuất của Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường và các bộ, ngành, địa phương có liên quan, theo khả năng cân đối ngân sách nhà nước, theo phân cấp ngân sách nhà nước, phù hợp với quy định của Luật Ngân sách nhà nước, Luật Đầu tư công và các văn bản hướng dẫn, báo cáo cấp có thẩm quyền xem xét, quyết định;

b) Phối hợp với Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường hướng dẫn, kiểm tra các tổ chức, cá nhân thực hiện theo quy định tại Nghị định này.

3. Các bộ, cơ quan ngang bộ khác có liên quan thực hiện theo chức năng, nhiệm vụ được giao.”.

Điều 52. Thay thế, bãi bỏ một số cụm từ tại các điều, khoản, điểm

1. Thay thế cụm từ “Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn” bằng cụm từ “Nông nghiệp và Môi trường” tại các điểm a, b và c khoản 4 Điều 16; khoản 5 Điều 19; khoản 5 Điều 23; điểm a và điểm c khoản 1 Điều 31; khoản 3 Điều 36.

2. Thay thế cụm từ “cấp huyện” bằng cụm từ “cấp tỉnh” tại điểm d khoản 4 Điều 16.

3. Thay thế cụm từ “cấp huyện” bằng cụm từ “cấp xã” tại điểm b khoản 4 Điều 16.

4. Bãi bỏ cụm từ “Ủy ban nhân dân cấp huyện,” tại điểm b khoản 3 Điều 20.

Chương III

SỬA ĐỔI, BỔ SUNG MỘT SỐ ĐIỀU CỦA NGHỊ ĐỊNH SỐ 102/2020/NĐ-CP NGÀY 01 THÁNG 9 NĂM 2020 CỦA CHÍNH PHỦ QUY ĐỊNH HỆ THỐNG BẢO ĐẢM GỖ HỢP PHÁP VIỆT NAM ĐƯỢC SỬA ĐỔI, BỔ SUNG BỞI NGHỊ ĐỊNH SỐ 120/2024/NĐ-CP

Điều 53. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 6 Điều 3

“6. Cơ quan Kiểm lâm sở tại là Hạt Kiểm lâm hoặc Chi cục Kiểm lâm ở những địa phương không có Hạt Kiểm lâm.”.

Điều 54. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số điểm, khoản của Điều 9

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 5 như sau:

“5. Trình tự thực hiện:

a) Chủ gỗ nộp 01 bộ hồ sơ quy định tại khoản 3 Điều này đến cơ quan Kiểm lâm sở tại bằng cách thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia;

Bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ kiểm tra tính chính xác, đầy đủ của hồ sơ, trả lời ngay tính hợp lệ của hồ sơ đối với hồ sơ nộp trực tiếp, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc đối với hồ sơ nộp qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia, trường hợp hồ sơ không hợp lệ thì thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;

b) Trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, cơ quan Kiểm lâm sở tại hoàn thành việc kiểm tra thực tế lô hàng gỗ xuất khẩu theo quy định tại khoản 6 Điều này và xác nhận bảng kê gỗ. Trường hợp không xác nhận, thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm d khoản 6 như sau:

“d) Mức độ kiểm tra thực tế: Kiểm tra thực tế 20% lô hàng gỗ; trường hợp có thông tin vi phạm thì công chức Kiểm lâm báo cáo, đề xuất thủ trưởng cơ quan Kiểm lâm sở tại quyết định tăng tỷ lệ kiểm tra và gia hạn thời gian kiểm tra thêm 01 ngày làm việc. Thủ trưởng cơ quan Kiểm lâm phải chịu trách nhiệm trước pháp luật về quyết định của mình.”.

Điều 55. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số điểm, khoản của Điều 13

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 3 như sau:

“3. Trình tự thực hiện:

a) Doanh nghiệp đăng ký vào Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp tự kê khai theo Mẫu số 08 Phụ lục I ban hành kèm theo Nghị định này;

Trường hợp doanh nghiệp không ứng dụng được Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp thì gửi Bảng kê khai phân loại doanh nghiệp theo Mẫu số 08 Phụ lục I ban hành kèm theo Nghị định này tới cơ quan tiếp nhận bằng hình thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính. Cơ quan tiếp nhận có trách nhiệm nhập thông tin vào Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp;

b) Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày nhận được thông tin kê khai của doanh nghiệp theo quy định tại điểm a khoản này, Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp của cơ quan tiếp nhận căn cứ các tiêu chí quy định tại khoản 1 Điều 12 Nghị định này tự động phân loại doanh nghiệp Nhóm I;

Trường hợp có nghi ngờ những thông tin do doanh nghiệp tự kê khai hoặc nghi ngờ doanh nghiệp sử dụng tài liệu giả mạo cần xác minh làm rõ thì trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp tự động phân loại doanh nghiệp Nhóm I, cơ quan tiếp nhận thông báo bằng văn bản cho doanh nghiệp đăng ký phân loại doanh nghiệp, trong đó nêu rõ thời gian, nội dung cần xác minh;

Trong thời hạn 03 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày thông báo, cơ quan tiếp nhận phối hợp với cơ quan có liên quan tổ chức xác minh làm rõ tính chính xác của thông tin tự kê khai của doanh nghiệp và thông báo kết quả xác minh cho doanh nghiệp đó biết;

c) Trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày doanh nghiệp được Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp tự động phân loại là doanh nghiệp Nhóm I hoặc kể từ ngày kết thúc xác minh thông tin kê khai theo quy định tại điểm b khoản này, nếu đáp ứng đầy đủ các tiêu chí theo quy định tại khoản 1 Điều 12 Nghị định này, cơ quan tiếp nhận xếp loại doanh nghiệp đó vào doanh nghiệp Nhóm I trên Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp;

d) Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày xếp loại doanh nghiệp Nhóm I theo quy định tại điểm c khoản này, cơ quan tiếp nhận thông báo kết quả phân loại cho doanh nghiệp đăng ký phân loại. Trường hợp doanh nghiệp không đáp ứng đầy đủ các tiêu chí là doanh nghiệp Nhóm I, cơ quan tiếp nhận thông báo, nêu rõ lý do cho doanh nghiệp biết; đồng thời gửi 01 bản thông báo kết quả phân loại để tổng hợp và đăng tải công khai kết quả phân loại doanh nghiệp trên trang thông tin điện tử của Cục Lâm nghiệp và Kiểm lâm.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm b khoản 4 như sau:

“b) Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày cơ quan tiếp nhận cập nhật kết quả chuyển loại doanh nghiệp trên Hệ thống thông tin phân loại doanh nghiệp, Cục Lâm nghiệp và Kiểm lâm tổng hợp và đăng tải công khai danh sách chuyển loại doanh nghiệp trên trang thông tin điện tử của Cục Lâm nghiệp và Kiểm lâm.”.

Điều 56. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 5 Điều 16

“5. Trình tự thực hiện:

a) Chủ gỗ nộp 01 bộ hồ sơ quy định tại khoản 3 Điều này đến Cơ quan cấp phép bằng cách thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT;

Bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ kiểm tra tính chính xác, đầy đủ của hồ sơ, trả lời ngay tính hợp lệ của hồ sơ đối với hồ sơ nộp trực tiếp, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc đối với hồ sơ nộp qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT, trường hợp hồ sơ không hợp lệ thì thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;

b) Trong thời hạn 03 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, Cơ quan cấp phép hoàn thành việc kiểm tra tính hợp pháp của hồ sơ và cấp giấy phép FLEGT. Trường hợp không cấp phép, Cơ quan cấp phép thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do cho chủ gỗ;

Trường hợp có dấu hiệu nghi ngờ về nguồn gốc gỗ hợp pháp của lô hàng đề nghị cấp giấy phép FLEGT, trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, Cơ quan cấp phép thông báo bằng văn bản cho chủ gỗ, cơ quan xác minh và các cơ quan có liên quan khác, trong đó nêu rõ thời gian xác minh.

Cơ quan cấp phép chủ trì, phối hợp với cơ quan xác minh và các cơ quan có liên quan tổ chức xác minh làm rõ tính hợp pháp của lô hàng gỗ. Thời gian xác minh không quá 05 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày thông báo. Kết thúc xác minh phải lập biên bản xác minh theo Mẫu số 12 Phụ lục I ban hành kèm theo Nghị định này;

c) Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày kết thúc xác minh, Cơ quan cấp phép có trách nhiệm cấp giấy phép FLEGT trong trường hợp lô hàng gỗ xuất khẩu đủ điều kiện cấp phép hoặc thông báo bằng văn bản nêu rõ lý do từ chối cấp giấy phép cho chủ gỗ;

d) Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày cấp giấy phép FLEGT, Cơ quan cấp phép trả giấy phép FLEGT cho chủ gỗ, đăng thông tin về giấy phép FLEGT đã cấp trên trang thông tin điện tử của Cơ quan cấp phép đồng thời gửi bản chụp giấy phép FLEGT đã cấp cho cơ quan thẩm quyền FLEGT của nước nhập khẩu thuộc EU.”.

Điều 57. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số khoản của Điều 17

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 3 như sau:

“3. Hồ sơ đề nghị gia hạn giấy phép FLEGT: Bản chính đề nghị gia hạn giấy phép FLEGT, trong đó nêu rõ lý do xin gia hạn theo Mẫu số 13 Phụ lục I ban hành kèm theo Nghị định này.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 5 như sau:

“5. Trình tự thực hiện:

a) Chủ gỗ nộp 01 bộ hồ sơ quy định tại khoản 3 Điều này đến Cơ quan cấp phép bằng cách thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT;

Bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ kiểm tra tính chính xác, đầy đủ của hồ sơ, trả lời ngay tính hợp lệ của hồ sơ đối với hồ sơ nộp trực tiếp, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc đối với hồ sơ nộp qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT, trường hợp hồ sơ không hợp lệ thì thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;

b) Trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, Cơ quan cấp phép hoàn thành việc kiểm tra tính hợp pháp của hồ sơ và gia hạn giấy phép FLEGT;

c) Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày gia hạn giấy phép FLEGT, Cơ quan cấp phép trả giấy phép FLEGT đã gia hạn cho chủ gỗ, đăng thông tin về giấy phép FLEGT đã được gia hạn trên trang thông tin điện tử của Cơ quan cấp phép, đồng thời thông báo cho cơ quan thẩm quyền FLEGT của nước nhập khẩu thuộc EU. Trường hợp không gia hạn cấp giấy phép FLEGT, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày ký văn bản từ chối gia hạn, Cơ quan cấp phép gửi văn bản để thông báo cho chủ gỗ.”.

Điều 58. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số khoản của Điều 18

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 3 như sau:

“3. Hồ sơ đề nghị cấp thay thế giấy phép FLEGT:

a) Trường hợp giấy phép FLEGT bản giấy đã cấp bị mất: bản chính đề nghị cấp thay thế giấy phép FLEGT theo Mẫu số 13 Phụ lục I ban hành kèm theo Nghị định này;

b) Trường hợp giấy phép FLEGT bị hỏng hoặc có sai sót: ngoài thành phần hồ sơ quy định tại điểm a khoản này có bản sao giấy phép FLEGT đã được cấp trước đó.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 5 như sau:

“5. Trình tự thực hiện:

a) Chủ gỗ nộp 01 bộ hồ sơ quy định tại khoản 3 Điều này đến Cơ quan cấp phép bằng cách thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT;

Bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ kiểm tra tính chính xác, đầy đủ của hồ sơ, trả lời ngay tính hợp lệ của hồ sơ đối với hồ sơ nộp trực tiếp, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc đối với hồ sơ nộp qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT, trường hợp hồ sơ không hợp lệ thì thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;

b) Trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, Cơ quan cấp phép có văn bản gửi Cục Hải quan để xác nhận về tình trạng thông quan lô hàng đã được cấp giấy phép FLEGT trước đó. Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày nhận được văn bản của Cục Hải quan, Cơ quan cấp phép cấp thay thế giấy phép FLEGT cho chủ gỗ;

c) Đối với trường hợp quy định tại điểm b khoản 3 Điều này: Trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày nhận được hồ sơ hợp lệ, Cơ quan cấp phép cấp thay thế giấy phép FLEGT;

d) Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày cấp thay thế giấy phép FLEGT, Cơ quan cấp phép trả giấy phép FLEGT thay thế cho chủ gỗ, đăng thông tin về giấy phép FLEGT được thay thế trên trang thông tin điện tử của cơ quan cấp phép, đồng thời thông báo cho cơ quan có thẩm quyền FLEGT của nước nhập khẩu thuộc EU. Trường hợp không cấp giấy phép FLEGT thay thế, trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày ký văn bản không cấp giấy phép FLEGT thay thế, Cơ quan cấp phép gửi văn bản để thông báo cho chủ gỗ.”

Điều 59. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số điểm, khoản của Điều 19

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 4 như sau:

“4. Hồ sơ đề nghị cấp lại giấy phép FLEGT:

a) Trường hợp lô hàng có khối lượng hoặc số lượng hoặc trọng lượng nhỏ hơn lô hàng đã được cấp giấy phép FLEGT: Bản chính đề nghị cấp lại theo Mẫu số 13 Phụ lục I ban hành kèm theo Nghị định này;

b) Trường hợp lô hàng gỗ xuất khẩu có khối lượng hoặc số lượng hoặc trọng lượng lớn hơn lô hàng đã được cấp giấy phép FLEGT hoặc lô hàng có thay đổi về sản phẩm, mã HS hoặc tên loài: Hồ sơ quy định tại điểm a khoản này và điểm b, c và đ khoản 3 Điều 16 Nghị định này.”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm a khoản 5 như sau:

“a) Trường hợp quy định tại điểm a khoản 4 Điều này

Chủ gỗ gửi 01 bộ hồ sơ quy định tại điểm a khoản 4 Điều này đến Cơ quan cấp phép bằng cách thức trực tiếp hoặc qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT;

Bộ phận tiếp nhận hồ sơ kiểm tra tính chính xác, đầy đủ của hồ sơ, trả lời ngay tính hợp lệ của hồ sơ đối với hồ sơ nộp trực tiếp; trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc đối với hồ sơ nộp qua dịch vụ bưu chính hoặc trực tuyến tại Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia hoặc Hệ thống cấp giấy phép FLEGT, trường hợp hồ sơ không hợp lệ thì thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do;

Trong thời hạn 02 ngày làm việc kể từ ngày nhận hồ sơ hợp lệ, Cơ quan cấp phép cấp lại giấy phép FLEGT. Trường hợp không cấp lại, Cơ quan cấp phép thông báo bằng văn bản và nêu rõ lý do cho chủ gỗ.

Trong thời hạn 01 ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày cấp lại giấy phép FLEGT, Cơ quan cấp phép trả giấy phép FLEGT cho chủ gỗ, đăng thông tin về giấy phép FLEGT được cấp lại trên trang thông tin điện tử của Cơ quan cấp phép, đồng thời thông báo cho cơ quan thẩm quyền FLEGT của nước nhập khẩu thuộc EU;”.

Điều 60. Thay thế một số cụm từ tại các điều, khoản, điểm

1. Thay thế cụm từ “Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn” bằng cụm từ “Nông nghiệp và Môi trường” tại khoản 3 Điều 5; khoản 3 Điều 6; khoản 4 Điều 11; khoản 2 và khoản 5 Điều 13; khoản 1 Điều 14; khoản 2 Điều 15; khoản 2 Điều 16; khoản 6 Điều 22; khoản 4 và khoản 5 Điều 23; Điều 24; tên Điều 25; điểm a khoản 1, khoản 3 và điểm c khoản 4 Điều 27; khoản 2 Điều 28; khoản 1 Điều 30.

2. Thay thế cụm từ “Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn phối hợp với Bộ Công Thương, Bộ Tài nguyên và Môi trường, Bộ Ngoại giao” bằng cụm từ “Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường phối hợp với Bộ Công Thương, Bộ Ngoại giao” tại điểm d khoản 1 Điều 6.

3. Thay thế cụm từ “Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn về quản lý, truy xuất nguồn gốc lâm sản” bằng cụm từ “Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường về quản lý lâm sản; xử lý lâm sản, thủy sản là tài sản được xác lập quyền sở hữu toàn dân” tại khoản 5 Điều 4; điểm c khoản 3 Điều 9; điểm b khoản 1 Điều 12; điểm c khoản 5 Điều 27.

4. Thay thế cụm từ “: www.kiemlam.org.vn” bằng cụm từ “của Cục Lâm nghiệp và Kiểm lâm” tại khoản 3 Điều 5; khoản 3 Điều 6; phần ghi chú số 11 Mẫu số 01 Phụ lục I.

5. Thay thế cụm từ “Tổng cục Hải quan” bằng cụm từ “Cục Hải quan” tại điểm c khoản 4 Điều 27.

6. Thay thế cụm từ “về quản lý, truy xuất nguồn gốc lâm sản của Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn” bằng cụm từ “của Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường về quản lý lâm sản; xử lý lâm sản, thủy sản là tài sản được xác lập quyền sở hữu toàn dân” tại Mẫu số 08 Phụ lục I và Phụ lục II.

Chương IV

SỬA ĐỔI, BỔ SUNG MỘT SỐ ĐIỀU CỦA NGHỊ ĐỊNH SỐ 01/2019/NĐ-CP NGÀY 01 THÁNG 01 NĂM 2019 VỀ KIỂM LÂM VÀ LỰC LƯỢNG CHUYÊN TRÁCH BẢO VỆ RỪNG ĐƯỢC SỬA ĐỔI, BỔ SUNG MỘT SỐ ĐIỀU TẠI NGHỊ ĐỊNH SỐ 159/2024/NĐ-CP

Điều 61. Bổ sung khoản 3a vào sau khoản 3 Điều 4

“3a. Quản lý, chỉ đạo hoạt động của Hạt Kiểm lâm và Kiểm lâm làm việc tại địa bàn thực hiện văn bản quy phạm pháp luật, chương trình, kế hoạch, phương án về quản lý, bảo vệ rừng, phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng, bảo đảm chấp hành pháp luật về lâm nghiệp trên địa bàn được giao quản lý.”.

Điều 62. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 2 Điều 6

“2. Phối hợp với ban quản lý rừng đặc dụng, rừng phòng hộ, cơ quan Kiểm lâm sở tại và các cơ quan chức năng trên địa bàn xây dựng quy chế phối hợp, thực hiện chương trình, kế hoạch về quản lý bảo vệ rừng, phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng, bảo đảm chấp hành pháp luật về lâm nghiệp thuộc phạm vi được giao.”.

Điều 63. Sửa đổi, bổ sung Điều 8

“Điều 8. Tổ chức Kiểm lâm trung ương

Cục Lâm nghiệp và Kiểm lâm là tổ chức hành chính thuộc Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường, giúp Bộ trưởng Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường thực hiện chức năng quản lý nhà nước về quản lý, bảo vệ rừng, phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng, bảo đảm chấp hành pháp luật về lâm nghiệp và thực hiện các nhiệm vụ khác về lâm nghiệp khi được cơ quan nhà nước có thẩm quyền giao.”.

Điều 64. Sửa đổi, bổ sung Điều 9

“Điều 9. Tổ chức Kiểm lâm cấp tỉnh

1. Chi cục Kiểm lâm là tổ chức hành chính thuộc Sở Nông nghiệp và Môi trường, giúp Giám đốc Sở Nông nghiệp và Môi trường thực hiện chức năng quản lý nhà nước về quản lý, bảo vệ rừng, phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng, bảo đảm chấp hành pháp luật về lâm nghiệp và thực hiện các nhiệm vụ khác về lâm nghiệp trên địa bàn tỉnh khi được cơ quan nhà nước có thẩm quyền giao.

2. Hạt Kiểm lâm là tổ chức thuộc Chi cục Kiểm lâm, giúp Chi cục trưởng Chi cục Kiểm lâm thực hiện chức năng quản lý nhà nước về quản lý, bảo vệ rừng, phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng, bảo đảm chấp hành pháp luật về lâm nghiệp trên địa bàn xã hoặc liên xã.

3. Tiêu chí thành lập Hạt Kiểm lâm:

Địa bàn có diện tích rừng từ 5.000 héc-ta trở lên hoặc để thực hiện yêu cầu, nhiệm vụ về quản lý, bảo vệ rừng, bảo đảm chấp hành pháp luật về lâm nghiệp, phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng, phát triển rừng, sử dụng rừng, chế biến, thương mại lâm sản và các nhiệm vụ khác về lâm nghiệp trên địa bàn xã hoặc liên xã đối với địa bàn có diện tích rừng dưới 5.000 héc-ta.

4. Căn cứ tiêu chí thành lập Hạt Kiểm lâm và yêu cầu, nhiệm vụ quản lý, bảo vệ rừng và các nhiệm vụ khác về lâm nghiệp ở địa phương, cấp có thẩm quyền quy định chức năng, nhiệm vụ, quyền hạn và cơ cấu tổ chức của Chi cục Kiểm lâm quyết định thành lập, tổ chức lại, giải thể Hạt Kiểm lâm.”.

Điều 65. Sửa đổi, bổ sung khoản 4 Điều 14

“4. Kiểm tra, ngăn chặn các hành vi vi phạm pháp luật về quản lý, bảo vệ và phát triển rừng, quản lý lâm sản; khi phát hiện hành vi vi phạm pháp luật trên diện tích rừng được giao quản lý, viên chức thuộc Lực lượng chuyên trách bảo vệ rừng được lập biên bản vi phạm hành chính, bảo vệ hiện trường, bảo quản tang vật, phương tiện vi phạm, kịp thời báo cáo với người, cơ quan có thẩm quyền xử lý theo quy định của pháp luật.”.

Điều 66. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm a khoản 2 Điều 16

“a) Viên chức thuộc Lực lượng chuyên trách bảo vệ rừng của chủ rừng được hưởng chế độ lương, phụ cấp như Kiểm lâm (trừ phụ cấp công vụ) và chế độ khác theo quy định của pháp luật;”.

Điều 67. Sửa đổi, bổ sung một số điểm, khoản của Điều 18

1. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm a và điểm b khoản 1 như sau:

“a) Chỉ đạo thống nhất về chuyên môn nghiệp vụ, kiểm tra hoạt động của Kiểm lâm trên phạm vi toàn quốc;

b) Phối hợp với các bộ, ngành có liên quan quy định tiêu chuẩn chuyên môn, nghiệp vụ, vị trí việc làm, ngạch công chức Kiểm lâm và chức danh nghề nghiệp quản lý bảo vệ rừng; phối hợp tham mưu trình cấp có thẩm quyền quy định chế độ, chính sách đối với Kiểm lâm và Lực lượng chuyên trách bảo vệ rừng của chủ rừng;”.

2. Sửa đổi, bổ sung điểm b khoản 3 như sau:

“b) Chỉ đạo Ủy ban nhân dân cấp xã thực hiện các biện pháp quản lý, bảo vệ rừng trên địa bàn; phối hợp giữa Kiểm lâm, Lực lượng chuyên trách bảo vệ rừng của chủ rừng với các cơ quan có liên quan trên địa bàn, điều động lực lượng, phương tiện của các tổ chức, cá nhân theo thẩm quyền để bảo vệ rừng, phòng cháy và chữa cháy rừng;”.

Điều 68. Thay thế, bãi bỏ một số cụm từ, điểm, khoản, điều

1. Thay thế cụm từ “Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn” bằng cụm từ “Nông nghiệp và Môi trường” tại khoản 1 Điều 3; khoản 3 Điều 11; khoản 1 và khoản 2 Điều 18; điểm a khoản 2 mục VIII Phụ lục I.

2. Thay thế cụm từ “Cục Kiểm lâm” bằng cụm từ “Cục Lâm nghiệp và Kiểm lâm” tại Điều 11; điểm a khoản 2 mục VIII Phụ lục I.

3. Thay cụm từ “Kiểm lâm cấp huyện” bằng cụm từ “Hạt Kiểm lâm” tại điểm a khoản 1 và điểm a khoản 2 mục V, mẫu số 5i, 5k, 7i, 7k mục IX Phụ lục I.

4. Thay thế cụm từ “cổ bẻ hai ve” bằng cụm từ “cổ đứng” tại điểm a khoản 1 mục VI Phụ lục I.

5. Bãi bỏ Điều 5, Điều 10.

Chương V

ĐIỀU KHOẢN THI HÀNH

Điều 69. Hiệu lực thi hành

1. Nghị định này có hiệu lực thi hành kể từ ngày ký ban hành.

2. Các quy định sau đây hết hiệu lực thi hành kể từ ngày Nghị định này có hiệu lực thi hành:

a) Mục 4 Chương II và Phụ lục III ban hành kèm theo Nghị định số 131/2025/NĐ-CP ngày 12 tháng 6 năm 2025 của Chính phủ quy định phân định thẩm quyền của chính quyền địa phương 02 cấp trong lĩnh vực quản lý nhà nước của Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường (lĩnh vực lâm nghiệp và kiểm lâm);

b) Chương V và Phụ lục IV ban hành kèm theo Nghị định số 136/2025/NĐ-CP ngày 12 tháng 6 năm 2025 của Chính phủ quy định phân quyền, phân cấp trong lĩnh vực nông nghiệp và môi trường (lĩnh vực lâm nghiệp và kiểm lâm);

c) Nghị định số 140/2024/NĐ-CP ngày 25 tháng 10 năm 2024 của Chính phủ quy định về thanh lý rừng trồng;

d) Nghị định số 27/2021/NĐ-CP ngày 25 tháng 3 năm 2021 của Chính phủ về quản lý giống cây trồng lâm nghiệp;

đ) Nghị định số 06/2019/NĐ-CP ngày 22 tháng 01 năm 2019 của Chính phủ về quản lý thực vật rừng, động vật rừng nguy cấp, quý, hiếm và thực thi Công ước về buôn bán quốc tế các loài động vật, thực vật hoang dã nguy cấp;

e) Nghị định số 84/2021/NĐ-CP ngày 22 tháng 9 năm 2021 của Chính phủ sửa đổi, bổ sung một số điều của Nghị định số 06/2019/NĐ-CP ngày 22 tháng 01 năm 2019 của Chính phủ về quản lý thực vật rừng, động vật rừng nguy cấp, quý, hiếm và thực thi Công ước về buôn bán quốc tế các loài động vật, thực vật hoang dã nguy cấp.

Điều 70. Điều khoản chuyển tiếp

1. Đối với các công trình phục vụ du lịch sinh thái, nghỉ dưỡng, giải trí đã được xây dựng theo đúng quy định của pháp luật (bao gồm cả công trình xây dựng và công trình hạ tầng kỹ thuật) phù hợp với đề án du lịch sinh thái, nghỉ dưỡng, giải trí của khu rừng được cơ quan nhà nước có thẩm quyền phê duyệt trước ngày 18 tháng 7 năm 2024 thì được tiếp tục khai thác, sử dụng theo quy định của pháp luật.

2. Đối với dự án có nội dung xây dựng các công trình phục vụ du lịch sinh thái, nghỉ dưỡng, giải trí nhưng chưa được cấp phép, cho phép theo quy định của pháp luật thì dự án phải điều chỉnh tỷ lệ, mật độ xây dựng bảo đảm theo quy định tại các Điều 14, 15, 23 và 24 của Nghị định số 156/2018/NĐ-CP ngày 16 tháng 11 năm 2018 của Chính phủ quy định chi tiết thi hành một số điều của Luật Lâm nghiệp, được sửa đổi, bổ sung bởi Nghị định số 91/2024/NĐ-CP và Nghị định này.

3. Đối với khu rừng đặc dụng, khu rừng phòng hộ đã được cấp có thẩm quyền phê duyệt luận chứng kinh tế kỹ thuật hoặc dự án xác lập khu rừng trước ngày 01 tháng 01 năm 2019 thì không phải thực hiện thủ tục thành lập khu rừng đặc dụng, khu rừng phòng hộ.

4. Đối với hồ sơ đề nghị giao rừng, cho thuê rừng hợp lệ đang thực hiện theo quy định tại Điều 37 Nghị định số 156/2018/NĐ-CP ngày 16 tháng 11 năm 2018 của Chính phủ quy định chi tiết thi hành một số điều của Luật Lâm nghiệp đã được cơ quan có thẩm quyền tiếp nhận trước ngày Nghị định này có hiệu lực thi hành thì tiếp tục thực hiện theo quy định tại Điều 37 Nghị định số 156/2018/NĐ-CP hoặc thực hiện theo quy định tại Nghị định này.

5. Đối với hồ sơ đề nghị quyết định chủ trương chuyển mục đích sử dụng rừng sang mục đích khác đã được Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh thẩm định, trình Hội đồng nhân dân cấp tỉnh hoặc hồ sơ hợp lệ đã được cấp có thẩm quyền tiếp nhận, thẩm định trước ngày Nghị định này có hiệu lực thi hành thì tiếp tục thực hiện trình tự, thủ tục theo quy định tại Nghị định số 156/2018/NĐ-CP ngày 16 tháng 11 năm 2018 của Chính phủ quy định chi tiết thi hành một số điều của Luật Lâm nghiệp, được sửa đổi, bổ sung bởi Nghị định số 91/2024/NĐ-CP.

6. Đối với dự án có đề xuất chuyển mục đích sử dụng rừng sang mục đích khác đã được Thủ tướng Chính phủ quyết định, chấp thuận chủ trương đầu tư trước ngày Nghị định này có hiệu lực thi hành, nhưng trong quyết định, chấp thuận chủ trương đầu tư dự án chưa có nội dung dự kiến quy mô diện tích rừng cần chuyển mục đích sử dụng rừng hoặc thẩm quyền phê duyệt, điều chỉnh chủ trương đầu tư dự án đã được phân cấp cho bộ, ngành, Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh theo quy định của pháp luật về đầu tư, đầu tư công thì Hội đồng nhân dân cấp tỉnh quyết định, phê duyệt chủ trương chuyển mục đích sử dụng rừng sang mục đích khác; trình tự, thủ tục thực hiện theo quy định tại Điều 17 Nghị định này.

7. Đối với diện tích rừng của chủ rừng là tổ chức, khu rừng do Thủ tướng Chính phủ thành lập thuộc Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh quản lý đã được Sở Nông nghiệp và Môi trường xây dựng phương án chuyển loại rừng trước thời điểm Nghị định này có hiệu lực thi hành thì Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh tổ chức thẩm định theo quy định tại Điều 40 Nghị định số 156/2018/NĐ-CP ngày 16 tháng 11 năm 2018 của Chính phủ quy định chi tiết thi hành một số điều của Luật Lâm nghiệp, được sửa đổi, bổ sung bởi Nghị định số 91/2024/NĐ-CP nhưng không phải trình Hội đồng nhân dân cấp tỉnh xem xét, quyết định chủ trương chuyển loại rừng; Sở Nông nghiệp và Môi trường hoàn thiện hồ sơ sau thẩm định, trình Chủ tịch Ủy ban nhân dân cấp tỉnh xem xét quyết định chuyển loại rừng.