llustrative image. (Photo: Internet)

Hoang Trong Nam, director of the plant, said paying for the forest environment service is its responsible initiative to help people enjoy more favourable conditions and to develop the forest sustainably.

In the first quarter of this year, the plant will pay a VND30 billion (US$1.428 million) fee for the service of 2012.

According to the agreement, the plant will pay the forest environment service fees from the first quarter of 2011, based on the rule that each kilowatt of electricity generated will see VND20 added to the fund.

All colllected fees will be paid directly to those responsible for managing, protecting and developing the 765,432 ha forest in the four provinces of Son La, Yen Bai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien.

Nguyen Ba Ngai, deputy general director of Forestry General Department said the income from the forest environment service will be high.

Taking fees from the hydro-electricty plants alone, the total can reach VND900 billion ($43.2 million) per year, he said.

However, there are still a lot of barriers hindering collection of the forest environment service fees, as well as delays in dispersing the fees to local people.

(VNS)