Directive No. 85/2007/CT-BNN on Promoting Afforestation and Coastal Windbreak Planting

DIRECTIVE

On Promoting Afforestation and Coastal Windbreak Planting

The Law on Dikes stipulates that the dike protection zone for sea dikes and river mouth dikes is 200 meters seaward. The Law on Protection and Development of Forests also provides regulations on protecting and developing protective forests, including coastal protective forests.

To implement the Prime Minister's directives in Decisions No. 58/2006/QĐ-TTg dated March 14, 2006 approving the program to protect, reinforce, and upgrade the existing sea dike system from Quang Ninh to Quang Nam; Decision No. 661/1998/QĐ-TTg dated July 29, 1998 and Decision No. 100/2007/QĐ-TTg dated July 6, 2007 regarding planting five million hectares of new forest, planting coastal protective forests is a priority task to be implemented in all coastal areas with suitable conditions for afforestation.

In order to proactively prevent and mitigate damage caused by typhoons, rising sea levels, land erosion, ensuring the safety of sea dikes and river mouth dikes, while limiting desertification processes and improving the ecological environment to contribute to sustainable development of coastal areas, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control, requests relevant ministries, sectors, and Chairmen of People's Committees of coastal provinces and cities to carry out the following tasks:

1. Vigorously promote the work of planting windbreak trees to create coastal protective forests, especially prioritizing areas in front of sea dikes; closely combine new planting, regeneration, and protection of existing forest areas.

Localities should use funds allocated in the project to plant five million hectares of new forest approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 661/1998/QĐ-TTg dated July 29, 1998 and Decision No. 100/2007/QĐ-TTg dated July 6, 2007, integrate other target programs, and mobilize other sources of capital to implement. For areas currently having sea dike construction projects, immediately arrange and allocate dike adjustment funds to carry out tree planting within the construction area. Prioritize implementation in the 2007 and 2008 planning years.

2. Regarding the scope of planting:

- For areas currently having beaches in front of sea dikes and river mouth dikes: Plant to cover the entire dike protection zone of 200 meters from the foot of the dike seaward as stipulated in the Law on Dikes, aiming to eventually cover the entire planned forested beach area. For areas currently having fish ponds within the dike protection zone, proceed with reclaiming them for planting. For areas with wide beaches where part of the area outside the protection zone can be used for aquaculture but not enclosed by embankments blocking water from the sea to the protective forest, killing windbreak trees.

- For areas currently having sea dikes and river mouth dikes but lacking beaches or insufficiently wide beaches according to regulations, when reinforcing and upgrading, consider adjusting the dike line inward to provide planting space for windbreak trees. For important dike lines that cannot be adjusted inward, measures must be taken to form beaches in front of the dikes and immediately plant trees once the beach is formed.

- For areas without dikes: It is necessary to plant windbreak trees and when constructing new dikes, choose lines that move inward to provide planting space for windbreak trees, with a minimum width of 200 meters.

3. Regarding planting techniques: Select appropriate tree species and techniques suitable for each area and meeting the requirements of wave protection and erosion control. For areas with poor soil conditions, conduct soil improvement before planting; mature trees can be planted to quickly achieve benefits. Encourage planting tree species that meet both protective forest requirements and economic development needs.

4. Regarding management of coastal protective forests:

- For forest areas within the dike protection zone, assign specialized dike management forces established under Clause 3, Article 37 of the Law on Dikes to manage in conjunction with local forestry management agencies according to the provisions of the Law on Dikes and the Law on Protection and Development of Forests.

- For other areas, follow the provisions of the Law on Protection and Development of Forests.

5. Implementation organization: The People's Committee of coastal provinces/cities directs functional departments and coastal localities:

- Review land use plans, assess the current status of coastal land use and windbreak trees. Reclaim beach areas according to plans for planting windbreak trees and provide support to those affected by land reclamation.

- Coordinate with specialized units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to research and determine suitable tree species for specific conditions, and establish unit prices for planting different types of trees to submit for approval by the provincial/municipal People's Committee.

- Develop plans for planting forests and windbreak trees along the coast for 2008 and beyond until 2010, prioritize investment arrangements, report to the provincial/municipal People's Committee for decision-making, and report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consolidation and assistance in resolving difficulties when necessary.