(VOVworld) – With trees planted over 15,000 hectares every year Yen Bai is one of the provinces with the largest forested areas in Vietnam. Forest plantation not only purifies the air but also increases people’s incomes.

Farmers in Yen Bai have been planting forests as a way to increase their incomes. Ha Thi Lien of Vu Linh commune said: “Forest plantation helps to green the barren hills and increases our income significantly. We now have enough money to buy a lot of things.”

Local authorities have invited experts to teach them growth and tending techniques. Nguyen Duc Dien, Vice-chairman of the Yen Binh district People’s Committee, said: “Yen Binh has the weather, transportation, and soil favorable for forest plantation. To achieve our targets, we have zoned off areas for forest plantation, prepared seedlings, and provided the necessary support for farmers.”

Yen Bai province now has 420,000 hectares of forest, covering 61.2% of its area. Before every afforestation season, the provincial Forestry Department often works with other relevant agencies to devise specific afforestation plans for each commune. Kieu Tu Giang, Director of the Forestry Department, said: “Tree varieties are important in forestry so we have strict management over the import of seeds, which must have clear origins and adaptability to local soil. Tree varieties failing to meet the regulations set out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Plant Protection Department will definitely not be used.”