The Vietnam-Germany Forestry Cooperation Program aims to implement sustainable natural forest management (SFM) according to international standards such as those provided by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). One important element of SFM is reduced impact logging (RIL). A precondition for SFM and RIL is adequate accessibility to forests. The Program supports Dak To Forest Company, whose forest areas are situated in a mountain region. The steep terrain poses one of the major challenges to minimizing environmental impacts when building the road infrastructure required for timber extraction. UNIQUE was contracted to provide technical assistance and outline guidelines to improve the forest roads in Dak To.

• Engineer design of forest roads in different levels of steepness (up to 38 %).
• Detailed instructions for construction workflow, including material and resources needed.
• Estimation of costs.
• Detailed instructions for measures to avoid erosion: drainage, stabilization of berms and banquets.
• Instructions for maintenance of roads.
• Action plan advising on the concrete steps to be taken towards improved forest roads.