Protect upstream forests

One day in late March, we had the opportunity to follow the rangers, the protective forest management board and the people in Tra Veo village, Tra Xinh commune (Tra Bong) to "witness" the protective forest at the headwaters of the Tang River. After 10 minutes of traveling by motorboat upstream of the Tang River, the immense green protective forest gradually appeared before our eyes. The forest in Tra Veo is very beautiful, with many rare and precious trees... The large, straight tree trunks, many of which bloom white and red flowers, add color to the forest. Under the forest canopy, the vegetation is rich with many medicinal herbs. For the people here, this natural forest is a valuable asset. The forest not only maintains underground water for daily life and production, but also shelters people during natural disasters and storms and floods. To protect the forest, the rangers, the protective forest management board and local people have established teams and groups to patrol and protect the forest effectively.

Head of the Tra Veo Village Forest Protection Community Group, Ho Van Sau, said that the entire village has 65 households, all of whom participate in forest protection. “We are divided into 6 groups (10-11 people/group) to patrol and protect the forest. On average, each group patrols 4 days/month. Usually, the groups patrol and return during the day, but when we detect someone breaking into the forest, we will stay overnight to monitor. We, the villagers, are determined to join hands to protect the forest. If we participate in protecting the forest well, we will benefit a lot. In addition to receiving money to pay for forest environmental services, the villagers also collect many products from the forest. The forest protects the villagers, so the villagers will always protect the forest, not allowing bad people to encroach on the forest,” said Mr. Sau.

Forest rangers, protective forest management boards and local people coordinate to patrol and protect forests in Tra Veo village, Tra Xinh commune (Tra Bong).

Tra Xinh is the locality that still retains the largest area of natural forest in Tra Bong district, with nearly 5,000 hectares. Thanks to this forest, abundant water flows into the Tang River, then down to Nuoc Trong Lake in Son Bao commune (Son Ha), creating a precious source of fresh water for the downstream area.
Protecting forests is protecting life

Head of Tra Bong District Forest Protection Department Phan Cao The said that the whole district has nearly 22 thousand hectares of natural forests and upstream protection forests. In recent times, the unit has strengthened its direction and coordinated with localities to do a good job of managing and protecting upstream forests. At the same time, the unit has actively promoted to the community living near the area to join hands in protecting the forest. Thereby, helping people realize that protecting the forest means protecting the ecological environment for community life and protecting rare species of animals and plants.

Ba To district is the locality with the largest area of natural forests and upstream protection forests in the province, with more than 24.3 thousand hectares. The upstream forests in Ba Xa, Ba Nam, Ba Trang communes (Ba To) are also home to many rare species of animals and plants, including the gray-shanked douc langur. Head of Ba To district Forest Protection Department Le Hoai Vu informed that in order to protect and develop the area of natural forests and protective forests in the locality, the local forest rangers have promoted the dissemination of the Law on Forest Protection in many forms, instructing people on how to care for and protect forests and implement measures to prevent and fight forest fires. In addition, community forest protection groups have also developed conventions and village covenants to protect forests.

Upstream forests not only bring many practical benefits to people living near the forests but also provide water for daily life and production in many localities in the downstream areas. Effective forest protection also contributes positively to the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters caused by climate change and the conservation of biodiversity. Therefore, in addition to forest protection, it is necessary to increase reforestation to replace and supplement lost forest areas.

Article and photos: HONG HOA

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Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/nong-nghiep/202503/bao-ve-rung-dau-nguon-88f521d/