Clarifying responsibilities in forest management and protection

ĐBP - As a province with a large forested area, Điện Biên has implemented policies that enable local residents to protect forests while benefiting from them.

As a result, from November 2024 to the end of March 2025, no major forest fires occurred across the province. However, in the first three months of the year, 195 cases of illegal deforestation were recorded. The causes stem partly from traditional farming practices on upland fields and partly from a lack of responsibility in forest management and protection.

The province has over 426,378 hectares of forest land, with a forest coverage rate of 44.69%. This includes 419,539 hectares of natural forest and 6,839 hectares of planted forest that have matured. The provincial forestry plan covers 592,000 hectares, accounting for 62% of the province’s total area. After years of declining forest cover, the past decade has seen gradual recovery and improved management, thanks to the efforts of forest owners, local authorities, and forest protection forces.

Forest rangers, in coordination with the Mường Nhé Nature Reserve, release two golden monkeys into the wild.

Điện Biên is home to many ethnic minorities, who traditionally practice shifting cultivation on steep land, build wooden houses, and use firewood for fuel. Agricultural and industrial crop expansion has also put pressure on forest land. Many deforestation cases involve individuals claiming that the land was previously cultivated by their families, but after becoming infertile, they moved to new areas for farming. The lack of clear land and forest allocation for management and protection has led to encroachments and violations.

Some local authorities neglect their responsibility in forest management, assuming that it falls solely on forest rangers and specialized agencies. Large areas of forest land are assigned to communal authorities without further delegation to communities or individuals, nor are there regular patrols and protection measures in place. Additionally, some community-based forest owners, household groups, and individuals lack the capacity or commitment to manage their allocated forest land properly, some even clear their assigned forest areas for farming.

A joint task force takes a break during a forest patrol.

Despite public awareness campaigns on forestry laws, a portion of the population remains indifferent to forest protection. Law enforcement regarding forest land violations has been weak, lacking deterrent effects. In some areas, particularly in Điện Biên district, past deforestation cases were either not addressed or handled ineffectively, allowing illegal activities to persist.

According to the provincial Forest Protection Sub-department, 195 cases of illegal deforestation were recorded in the first three months of 2025, an increase of 113 cases compared to the same period last year, resulting in 63.77 hectares of damaged forest. The violations were concentrated in Mường Chà, Tủa Chùa, Điện Biên Đông, Tuần Giáo, and Điện Biên districts. Authorities have imposed administrative penalties on 173 cases, while 22 cases were transferred for criminal prosecution. Alarmingly, 19 out of the 22 criminal cases could not identify the perpetrators, making legal action difficult and weakening deterrence. Encroachments and illegal cultivation on classified forest land continue to be reported.

Forest rangers have played a vital role in increasing forest cover through awareness campaigns, community commitments to forest protection, and the Forest Environmental Services Payment Program, which has encouraged local participation in forest conservation. However, stricter law enforcement is needed to ensure compliance.

Legal education on forest management and protection in Chung Chải commune, Mường Nhé district.

Laws regarding forest land violations exist but must be more effectively communicated and enforced. On October 4, 2024, the Government issued Decree No.123/2024/NĐ-CP, specifying administrative penalties for violations in land management, including forest land use. The decree outlines fines for unauthorized conversion of special-use forest land, protection forest land, and production forest land to other purposes. Converting forest land within the agricultural land category incurs fines between VND 2 million to 30 million, depending on the area involved. Unauthorized conversion of forest land to non-agricultural land (excluding residential use) within communal administrative boundaries results in fines from VND 3 million to 150 million. Encroaching or illegally occupying special-use forests, protection forests, or production forests can lead to fines of up to VND 400 million.

With clear penalties now in place under Decree 123, local authorities in Điện Biên, where forest land is extensive and ranger forces are limited, must strengthen inter-agency coordination to tackle deforestation. This includes urgent investigations, strict legal actions against offenders, and mobile court hearings to reinforce public awareness and deterrence.

When forest violations are strictly punished, local communities will develop a stronger sense of responsibility and accountability for forest protection.

Hà Anh
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Improving efficiency of trade union activities in Điện Biên

    Improving efficiency of trade union activities in Điện Biên

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - After 3 months of implementing the trade union organization model in the spirit of renewal and streamlining the apparatus, trade union activities in Điện Biên province have basically stabilized, continuing to affirm their role as a “bridge” between union members and workers with the local party committees and authorities. Positive movements from grassroots trade unions show the determination of the entire system to make union activities increasingly close and practical.
  • 'Greening barren land and hills, improving ecological environment

    Greening barren land and hills, improving ecological environment

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, Điện Biên province has been synchronously implementing many solutions to protect, restore, and develop forests. Programs for planting trees and greening barren land and hills are being carried out more methodically and effectively. The new forests are contributing to preserving the ecological environment, responding to climate change, and improving people’s lives.
  • 'Keeping children safe online

    Keeping children safe online

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - With the rapid development of digital technology, the online space has become a familiar environment for children to learn, play, and communicate. From online learning and information searches to entertainment on social media platforms, the internet offers children many opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills. However, along with these benefits come risks, including exposure to harmful content, exploitation, or online abuse.
  • 'Điện Biên boosts production linkage

    Điện Biên boosts production linkage

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Building production zones towards linkage has been identified by the province as a key solution for sustainable agricultural development. Linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and businesses, connecting production with consumption, help enhance the value of agricultural products, stabilize market outlets, and create a foundation for brand building.
  • 'Strengthening “people’s heart posture” at border

    Strengthening “people’s heart posture” at border

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - With the spirit of “each citizen is a living landmark,” the ethnic peoples of Mường Nhà commune, Điện Biên province always uphold their sense of responsibility and actively participate in protecting the border line and markers. Through practical actions, the people have joined the border guards in strengthening patrols and control of the border line and markers, preventing violations of border regulations, and maintaining political security and social order and safety in the border region.
  • 'Điện Biên urged to strive for completion of 2025 targets

    Điện Biên urged to strive for completion of 2025 targets

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On October 26, comrade Nguyễn Văn Thắng, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Finance, along with a working delegation, met with Điện Biên province regarding the situation of business production, public investment, import-export, infrastructure construction, social housing, national target programs, and the implementation of the two-level local government model.
  • 'Supporting students pursuing STEM education

    Supporting students pursuing STEM education

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - On August 28, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No.29/2025/QĐ-TTg regarding the credit policy for pupils, students, graduate students, and doctoral candidates pursuing studies in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
  • 'Joining hands to prevent spread of bacillary dysentery

    Joining hands to prevent spread of bacillary dysentery

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Bacillary dysentery is developing complexly in Nậm Kè commune, Điện Biên province, affecting the health and lives of the people, especially students at semi-boarding schools. Faced with this situation, all levels, sectors, and localities have urgently stepped in, implementing many prevention and control measures to stop the epidemic from spreading.
  • 'Painting contest joins hands in protecting forests and environment

    Painting contest joins hands in protecting forests and environment

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The drawing competition with the theme “Joining hands to protect forests and the environment for a green future” has become a meaningful activity, attracting the interest and enthusiastic participation of a large number of students. With creative ideas and an innocent perspective, they express their love for nature and their awareness of environmental protection through each vivid and colorful brushstroke.