In 1993, a temporary ban on all timber product exports allowed the forestry minister to determine what could be exported. As part of a larger effort against deforestation, a National Conservation Strategy, drawn up by Quy and his CRES colleagues and adopted by the government in 1985, calls for more tree planting. Today, between 120,000 and 200,000 ha of trees are planted each year. The total loss is 200,000 ha. Public support is raised through awareness campaigns and agro-forestry training in villages and schools.
People celebrate the new year with a tree planting festival.
Beginning at primary school, students plant trees. Encouraged by a government policy of land reform, villagers are establishing growing numbers of tree nurseries. Under this policy, the government gives people parcels of denuded land, ranging from 20 to 50 ha, for 50 years. They are then asked to plant trees, first exotic species and then indigenous varieties. They may also use the forest for fuelwood, fodder, and food.