Local residents benefitting from the FMCR reforestation project

Bài liên quan

Overcoming challenges to promote mangrove reforestation

Multiple benefits of the coastal mangrove reforestation project in Quang Ninh province

The "Forest Sector Modernization and Coastal Resilience Enhancement Project" (FMCR) is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in coordination with the World Bank in Vietnam. The project, funded by the World Bank, was carried out from 2019 to December 31, 2023, in 8 coastal provinces and cities including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue.

The project comprises several main components, including mangrove afforestation, reforestation, and forest management; construction of anti-erosion works, sediment retention areas, and afforestation plots; upgrading infrastructure to support production, processing, and marketing of commodities; investment in agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production technology.

With the goal of improving coastal forest management in the project's target provinces and enhancing resilience against extreme weather events and the rising sea level, the project has completed approximately 70% of the workload to date.

Most notably, the project's approach to community-based and sustainable forestry development has led to an active involvement of the local labor force in mangrove afforestation and reforestation activities. Consequently, the livelihoods of people in the project sites have improved significantly.

Mr. Bui Xuan Hien, Director of the FMCR Project Management Board in Mong Cai City, stated that more than 100 local communities have directly benefited from participating in protecting, planting, and restoring coastal and mangrove forests. These activities have resulted in an increased income level and improved livelihoods. Additionally, the project has raised awareness among local residents regarding the importance of forest protection.

Mr. Pham Quoc Hai from Hai Tien commune, Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh province, commented on his experience: "I have been involved in the mangrove reforestation project since the beginning along with other community groups. The project has provided stable employment opportunities for many local residents. Additionally, it has created a source of aquatic products within the mangrove forest for local exploitation."

The FMCR project is set to conclude its financing on December 31, 2023. The Project Management Board and local governments are in the process of extending the project's implementation period in order to continue supporting local residents in improving their lives and increasing their income through livelihood packages and technical training in production technology.

Furthermore, the project has made substantial contributions to the transportation and irrigation sectors as well as the New Rural Development Program through the upgrading of rural road infrastructure and embankment systems in the project's target communes.

As one of the eight regions benefiting from the "Forest Sector Modernization and Coastal Resilience Enhancement Project", Quang Ninh province is recognized as a pioneer in its successful implementation.

To date, Quang Ninh province has the largest area of coastal afforestation among the project's target provinces, with a total investment of nearly 32 million USD. Accordingly, afforestation activities have been carried out in 45 communes and wards across 8 districts, towns, and cities, including Quang Yen, Ha Long, Van Don, Tien Yen, Dam Ha, Hai Ha, Mong Cai, and Cam Pha.

The Quang Ninh province's FMCR Project Management Board has focused on implementing the key components of Phases 2 and 3, which include boundary demarcation for coastal forest management agencies through the placement of approximately 11,000 boundary markers. Additionally, land surveys and land preparation for mangrove afforestation have been conducted. In addition to these efforts, surveys, design, and construction of supporting infrastructure to facilitate coastal forest protection have been deployed. Training sessions have also been organized to promote technical knowledge on monitoring, restoration, and sustainable forest management.

The primary objectives of the project in Quang Ninh province are to establish new forests covering 1,800 hectares and improve the quality of nearly 3,700 hectares of coastal protection and mangrove forests. The project also aims to safeguard approximately 20,000 hectares of forests and install 13,500 on-site boundary markers in accordance with the assigned forest management agencies, ensuring stable forest management and clear demarcation between protected forests and other land types.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the efforts to enhance and restore forests in Quang Ninh province have contributed to the protection of current and future coastal infrastructure investments and improved resilience against adverse climatic conditions.

The total project capital is estimated at 195 million USD, including 150 million USD funded by the World Bank and 45 million USD in counterpart funding from the Government of Vietnam. The project is divided into four components: Effective coastal forest management, coastal forest restoration and development, sustainable benefits from coastal forests, and project management, monitoring, and evaluation. The target provinces are primarily responsible for implementing Phases 2, 3, and 4.