Regulations on the amendments to sustainable forest management plans in Vietnam

Regulations on the amendments to sustainable forest management plans in Vietnam

According to Circular 13/2023/TT-BNNPTNT, the regulations on the adjustment of sustainable forest management plans are supplemented as follows:

- In cases where the competent state authority decides to adjust the forest area, forestry land that significantly affects the intended use of the forest, and the forest owner needs to adjust the sustainable forest management plans to comply with management, production, and business requirements, the forest owner submits the necessary adjustments to the competent authority for approval.

The sequence and procedures for adjusting sustainable forest management plans by the forest owner shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, Article 12a, and Article 13 of Circular 28/2018/TT-BNNPTNT.

- In cases where the forest owner needs to adjust the annual sustainable forest management plan under the approved sustainable forest management plans to align with practical, management, production, and business requirements, the forest owner self-approves the adjustment plan without changing the objectives of the sustainable forest management plan.

Immediately after approving the adjustment of the sustainable forest management plan, the forest owner must submit one original copy to the authorized agency that approved the forest owner's plan.

Furthermore, Circular 13/2023/TT-BNNPTNT also stipulates that the maximum implementation period for sustainable forest management plans is 10 years from the date of approval.

In cases where the forest belongs to the forest owner as regulated in Article 7, Clause 2 of the Law on Forestry, the implementation period of sustainable forest management plans is determined by the forest owner.

(However, the current Circular 28/2018/TT-BNNPTNT states that sustainable forest management plans shall be implemented within 10 years from the date on which it is approved. 

In cases where the competent state authority adjusts the forest area, forestry land that affects the intended use of the forest or when the forest owner needs to change the management, production, and business plan, the forest owner must adjust the sustainable forest management plans and submit the necessary adjustments to the competent authority for approval.)

Circular 13/2023/TT-BNNPTNT takes effect on February 1, 2024.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE