THE FOREST CONVERSION MUST CONFORM TO THE FORESTRY MASTER PLAN
On July, 15, 2020, the Government issues the Decree No. 83/2020/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP of November 16, 2018, detailing a number of articles of the Law on Forestry.
To be specific: to add criteria for identifying projects allowed for conversion of natural forests as follows: Projects of national importance as prescribed; Projects serving national defense or security as certified in writing by the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security; Urgent projects in need of conversion of natural forests; Projects for which investment policy has been approved or in which investment has been decided by competent authorities.
Besides, the approval of the policy of conversion of natural forests must satisfy the following criteria: Having an investment project proposal in accordance with the laws on investment and public investment; Conforming with the national forestry master plan and land use master plan and plan approved by competent state agencies in accordance with the planning law; Being certified by the chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee; Being located outside strictly protected sub-zones of special-use forests; natural forests under the master plan on special-use forests; etc.
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related ministries and sectors in, appraising the dossier; and report them to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on the policy of forest conversion within 25 working days after receiving a complete dossier instead of 30 days as in previous regulations.
This Decree takes effect on the signing date.
