HCMC – The Long An government has approved the conversion of over 223 hectares of forestland, with some 200 hectares being earmarked for the development of solar power projects.
The provincial government on May 12 noted that it will allow the conversion for solar power projects in Binh Hoa Nam Commune in Duc Hue District.
Specifically, the provincial government allowed Hoan Cau L.A Co., Ltd. to convert over 47.4 hectares of forestland to develop Solar Park 01 and permitted Vietnam Solar JSC to build Solar Park 02 on 48.7 hectares of forestland set for conversion.
Meanwhile, Long An Solar Park Corporation and Solar ENERGY LA JSC were allowed to convert over 48.3 hectares and 48.4 hectares of forestland for the construction of Solar Parks 03 and 04, respectively.
Apart from these four firms, other enterprises seeking to invest in residential areas, gas and oil and seafood farming were also permitted to convert forestland for their purposes.
Under the decision, the firms allowed to convert forestland must plant new forests in compensation for the forestland lost, or make payments to plant forests and fulfill all relevant financial obligations in line with prevailing regulations.
However, due to the lack of land for planting new forests, most of these firms have offered to make payments, the local media reported.
Data from the Long An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development indicated that Long An Province has over 22,600 hectares of forestland, with 21,000 hectares of plantation forests and over 800 hectares of natural forests.
