Viet Nam- My home country

We need forests for our life and futureViet Nam- my home countryIn South-East AsiaAt 23020’ in the north and 8033’ in the south330.363 sq kmNorthern border: ChinaWestern border: Laos and CambodiaOther sides: East seaFrom north to south: 1.650 km long – various climate conditions, season to seasonClimate conditionsFour seasons/year in the north: spring, summer, autumn, and winter Two seasons in the south: drying season(November – April) and raining season (May –Octorber)Average temperature: 20 – 330CAnnual rainfall: 1600 – 1900 mmPopulationPopulation: over 86 millions people Of which 80% living in ruralBirth rate is high even birth- control planning (1-2 children/couple)Natural resourcesHighest mountain 3.143m: PhanxipanLongest rivers: Red river and Mekong riverNatural resourcesTropical forestsSome forest stylesBroad leave forests: Fabaceae, Fagaceae, Lauraceae familiesDipterocarp forestsA mix of broad and conifer forestsConifer forestsMangrove forestsLam Dong – a favorite place, and sweet homePopulation:1.2 millions, of which 21% minor/ethnic people22% illegal migration12% emmigrationForest Land in Lam DongForest areas take over 60% land areas in Lamdong62.1% cover ratesProtected forests: 83.674haSpecial-use forests: 172.800haProduction forests: 345.003haObvious benefit of forest to society + community:1. Maintain 5 big rivers which provide 2000MW hydro powerRoles of forestsRoles of forests2. Supply hygiene + irrigation for people living in Lam Dong, Ho Chi Minh and neighbor areas3. Protect our environment as well as provide good view to tourists4. Give jobs to local people, approximately 28 thousand workers involving forest protection, fire –forest control, silviculture, etc. Roles of forestsSome current problems1. Loose forest land: for irrigation systemfor hydropower systemfor rural infrastructurefor settling migrationby illegal exploitationSome current problems2. Land owners:Do not have future plans to attract investmentDo not apply good forest management methodsDo not produce various kinds of forest productsAre not awareness of the important role of forestAre not dynamic, creative in running business of forest productsSlow down to find new marketsMany rely on the supports from government, some have a self-sufficing economy, low income and not active to find solution to improve living standardsSome current problems3. Government:Do not have effective policies to manage and exploit properly the forest sourcesDo not apply integrated methods for using potential forests, e.g. plantation + tourist multipurpose forests + ecotouristSome current problems4. Social issues:Rapidly increasing population, especially emigration (from 300 thousands people in 1976 to over 1.2 millions in 2007 in Lam Dong)Poor quality of forests, unsustainable incrementLam dong people communityForest Protection DepartmentForestry DepartmentAgriculture and Rural Development DepartmentForest protection centersForest centersTotally, 35 governmental organizations manage 589,740 ha of forest land in LamDong (98.05%)Private sectors control 11,727 ha (1,95%)Forest centers: take responsibility to do annual silviculture, forest management, and give jobs to local people working in forest334.296 ha are protected by 14.838 families, of which 80% local ethnic people, average 25 – 27 ha/familyAgriculture and Rural Development DepartmentAgriculture and Rural Development DivisionIn districtsAgri-forest extension centersThere are 115 community/village forestry groups which give a hand to protect forest in local areas