World Tree Planting Day and Vietnam's Forest Restoration Efforts

Climate change is seriously affecting all aspects of life with extreme weather phenomena such as droughts and floods. Afforestation is one of the important solutions to help protect the ecosystem, minimize the negative impacts of climate and ensure sustainable development. In order to call on countries to join hands in forest restoration, since 2013, the United Nations has chosen March 21 every year as World Arbor Day and International Day of Forests.

The current status of Vietnam's forests shows that, as of December 31, 2023, Vietnam has a total forest cover of 42%, equivalent to 16 million hectares, of which natural forests account for about 70.8%, the rest is planted forests. In many localities, the area of ​​natural forests is declining sharply. Many forests are depleted forests. Planted forests are mostly species-poor forests, without canopy layers, and do not have high ecological value like natural forests.

In the context of increasingly serious climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving towards the goal of net zero emissions has become a top priority for many countries, including Vietnam. Among the proposed solutions, afforestation and forest restoration are considered important strategies thanks to their effective carbon absorption capacity.

In Vietnam, many large programs have been implemented to restore the degraded forest area. In particular, the Gaia Nature Conservation Center launched the program "Contribute 1 tree, contribute forest", planting and promoting natural regeneration of more than 1 million trees in more than 10 National Parks and Conservation Areas across the country. In parallel with the forest planting activities, Gaia also organized hundreds of nature experience trips, raising public awareness about forest protection and responding to climate change.

Responding to World Tree Planting Day (March 21), Gaia Nature Conservation Center, with the strong response of organizations and individuals, especially businesses, planted 41,175 trees of 12 rare wood species at Xuan Lien National Park.

The newly planted forests will be cared for and monitored for four years. Source Gaia

Xuan Lien National Park is home to many rare species of flora and fauna such as: Gaur, Gray Langur, White-cheeked Gibbon, Roosevelt Mang, Sa Mu, Po Mu, Vu Huong... At present, Xuan Lien Nature Reserve has about 150 hectares of poor forest, which was formerly cultivated land of local people. When Xuan Lien National Park was established, people migrated out, leaving behind swidden land without forest. Xuan Lien National Park has initially planted trees on these lands. However, after 20 years, these are still poor forests with few species.

Gaia’s implementation of planting 41,175 trees will help green more than 42 hectares of special-use forest, increase carbon absorption capacity, respond to climate change, and create a safe habitat for rare wildlife species in Xuan Lien National Park. The newly planted forests will be cared for and monitored by Gaia for 4 years. Parameters on tree growth, CO2 absorption and ecological benefits will be monitored and published periodically.

In the coming time, Gaia will continue to expand its afforestation activities in many upstream areas across Vietnam.

Hong Minh