Rubber Expansion and Forest Protection in Vietnam

The Government of Vietnam has identified the conversion of forests to plantations of industrial crops such as rubber as one of the five drivers of deforestation and degradation in the country. Presently, Vietnam is actively participating in various international initiatives such as the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) programmes. The implementation of these commitments requires Vietnam to establish and effectively operate mechanisms that address drivers of deforestation and degradation, including the drivers of natural forest conversion for rubber plantation. This report contributes essential information regarding the effects of rubber plantation expansion on the implementation of REDD+ and FLEGT initiatives in the future. The report has utilized various sources of primary and secondary data. Secondary data includes data on forest and forestland resources from the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) and the General Department of Land Administration (GDLA) as well as technical reports from consulting organizations operating in areas of rubber production, processing, and export. The report also references articles from relevant press publications. Additionally, the authors have collected and analyzed Government policies related to development of rubber plantations in various provinces.

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