Lao Cai moves to reduce emissions from deforestation

The action programme was built with the help of the Forest Resources and Environment Centre (FREC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It will work out measures for reducing emissions, protecting and sustainably developing forests in Lao Cai. 

FREC Director Vu Tien Dien said the launch of the REDD+ action programme is an important step in protecting forests, preventing climate change while ensuring local socio-economic interests. 

To Manh Tien, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said in its REDD+ action programme, Lao Cai aims to protect the existing 267,100ha of natural forests, including nearly 57,000ha of special-purpose forests and nearly 102,000ha of protected forests. 

It will improve fire-fighting capacity while minimising deforestation and forest degradation resulting from forest product exploitation or cardamom cultivation. The province will conserve and increase forest carbon stocks by breeding forest trees, especially multipurpose trees like cinnamon, son tra (Fructus Docyniae), and pine. 

Lao Cai will also attract investment in afforestation, ecosystem protection and forest product processing to raise incomes for residents engaging in forest protection, Tien noted.