People help grow tree seedlings for the forest in Ba Chẽ District of the northern Quảng Ninh Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Đức

QUẢNG NINH — .Overachieving the provincial plan by 7.6 per cent, large timber forest coverage in Quảng Ninh reached 2,152 hectares in 2022.

The results have created a sound foundation for sustainable development and environmental protection.

In Ba Chẽ District, which has the largest area of forestry in the locality, growing timber forest is one of the key socio-economic missions.

Since the beginning of 2022, the district had formed a specialised team to call on businesses, households and individuals to register for the programme, which seeks to expand the area of timber forests and native trees in the locality.

Alongside support policies, the district also coordinated with suppliers to ensure the quantity and quality of tree seedlings.

People were also encouraged to grow medicinal plants under the tree canopy in large timber forests, which would provide them with more income.

With this strategy, the district grew 510 new hectares of timber trees in 2022, reaching the goals set and equivalent to 4.7 times last year’s figure.

Following the recommendations of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the district allocates the plan to localities under its jurisdiction, which called for citizens’ engagement in the programme.

The initiative also promoted the role of commune-level management in understanding the current status of local afforestation, planting technology transfer and addressing issues related to policies.

Multiple businesses and departments have actively taken part in the projects, including Tiền Phong Industrial Park, Quảng Ninh Import-Export Investment JSC, Quan Minh Co Ltd, Amata City Ha Long JSC, FPT Corporation, Sun Group, Quảng Đức Border Guard Station, Hải Hà District, the provincial branch of the State Bank and Farmers’ Union, as well as province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and People’s Committee.

Lê Văn Độ, vice chairman of the provincial Farmers’ Union said that growing timber forest not only achieved the goals of the province but also created jobs, provided more income and improved farmers’ livelihoods.

Apart from planting the trees themselves, the union have been offering training on growing and taking care of the plants, facilitating its members’ access to funding and connecting people to credible tree seedling suppliers. — VNS