Lâm Đồng Province is seeking solutions to minimise damage to its forested areas. — Photo baolamdong.vn

LÂM ĐỒNG — Lâm Đồng Province is mulling solutions to protect its forests damaged by fires and slash-and-burn agriculture. 

Last year, nearly 60ha of forests were damaged in the province. 

Phạm S, deputy chairman of the province’s People Committee, said the provincial authority would direct relevant departments, district people's committees and households to protect the forest.

The province last year allocated nearly 440,000ha of forest to 16,000 households and 34 collectives who live near the forests, and assigned them to protect the areas.

Forest management units and the households are mainly responsible for forest protection and reforestation. Afforestation programmes and projects have planted 1,681ha of forest since last year.

The provincial authority said that city and district authorities would strictly handle violations.

The province last year recorded 735 violations of the law of forest protection and management. It handled 611 cases of administrative sanction and 58 cases of criminal sanction.

Even though the number of violations has dropped 18 per cent and the damaged forest area has decreased by 8 per cent compared to 2018, the violations continue to occur and public opinion has been negatively affected. — VNS