THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 73/CP of November 1, 1995 on the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;
Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 39/CP of May 18, 1994 on the organizational system, tasks and powers of forest ranger forces;
Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 245/1998 of December 21, 1998 on the performance of the State management responsibility of various levels regarding forests and forest land;
At the proposals of the director of the Forest Ranger Department and the director of the Organization and Personnel Department,
DECIDES:
Article 1.- To assign the directors of the provincial/municipal Sub-Departments of Forest Ranger and the directors of national gardens throughout the country to direct the Forest Ranger Sections under their respective management to nominate forest ranger officials on the payroll to take charge of communes (hereafter referred collectively to as local forest ranger) to perform the tasks prescribed in Article 2 of this Decision.
Article 2.- Local forest range officials shall have the following tasks:
1. To grasp the situation and monitor changes in forests and forest land in their assigned localities; to inspect the use of forests and forest land by forest owners in the localities.
2. To coordinate with concerned functional agencies in guiding and supervising forest owners to protect and develop forests; assist the presidents of the commune People’s Committees in performing the function of State management over forests and forest land according to the provisions of law.
3. To advise the presidents of the commune People’s Committees on elaborating plans for management and protection of forests and forest land in the localities, guiding and inspecting the implementation of such plans once they are approved.
4. To coordinate with the concerned agencies and social organizations in guiding the population in villages or hamlets to elaborate and observe the forest protection rules in the localities.
5. To propagate and disseminate the provisions of forestrial legislation among the population community, assist the presidents of the commune People’s Committees in establishing mass organizations in charge of forest protection, forest fire prevention and fighting; prevent forest diseases and guide forest-protection mass organizations to operate efficiently.
6. To inspect, detect, and take timely measures to prevent acts of violations of the Law on Forest Protection and Development; handle administrative violations according to their competence and assist the presidents of the commune People’s Committees in handling administrative violations in the field of forest management and protection as prescribed by law.
7. To strictly observe with the reporting regime and hold periodical briefings according to regulations of the heads of the Forest Ranger Sections.
Article 3.- Depending on the area of the assigned forest land and forests, the scope and complexity of the forest management and protection activities in each commune, the Sub-Departments of Forest Ranger shall work out plans on forest management and protection, as well as appoint their officials to take charge of localities, then report them to the provincial People’s Committees for approval and implementation organization.
Article 4.- This Decision takes effect 15 days after its signing.
Article 5.- The director of the Office, the director of the Organization and Personnel Department, the Director of the Forest Ranger Department of the Ministry, the directors of the provincial/municipal Agriculture and Rural Development Services, the directors of the provincial/municipal Sub-Departments of Forest Ranger shall have to implement this Decision.
For the Minister
of Agriculture and Rural Development
Vice-Minister
NGUYEN VAN DANG