THE PRIME MINISTER

Directive No.286-TTg of May 2, 1997 on the urgent measures to protect and develop forests.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall assume the main responsibility and coordinate with the provincial People�s Committees in installing landmarks and delimiting the boundaries of special-use forests, protective forests and natural forests; the destruction or exploitation of such forests are prohibited and all violations shall be strictly handled.

The Presidents of the provincial People�s Committees shall be responsible for the State management over each type of forest in their respective localities.

The provinces shall have to organize forces capable of protecting forests. Army and police forces shall coordinate with the ranger forces in applying measures to protect forests.

Wood and wood products are banned from export, except for wooden fine-arts items; the import of wood, the use of wood-substituting raw materials and the thrifty use of wood in production and consumption are encouraged.

The Ministry of Industry shall assume the main responsibility and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and concerned branches in proposing the substitutes for industrial firewood exploited from natural forests.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall assume the main responsibility and coordinate with the Government Commission on Organization and Personnel and concerned agencies in drawing up plans for restructuring the ranger system; guiding, monitoring and supervising the assignment of land and forests to peasant households, elaborating and proposing to the Government for promulgation the regulation on benefit distribution in the land and forest assignment to households; coordinating with the People�s Committees of the provinces and concerned ministries and branches in taking the inventory of forests, drawing up plans for reorganization of the system of the State-run forestry enterprises.- (Summary)