Protecting forests during Tet (Lunar New Year)

Currently, the province has over 900,000 hectares of forest, of which nearly 621,000 hectares are natural forest, and the rest are planted forests. Forests are not only the "green lungs" of the province but also provide livelihoods for the people. In 2025, nearly 40 forest fires occurred in the province, causing damage to more than 80 hectares of forest, highlighting the urgent need to continue improving the effectiveness of forest fire prevention and control, especially during the dry weather conditions of the Tet holiday.

The Forest Protection Unit of Region V inspected forest fire prevention and control work in Na Hang commune.

Raising public awareness to ensure forest safety.

For Tuyen Quang province, which has a large area of ​​forest land with many forests interspersed with residential and production areas, even a small oversight or carelessness can cause forest fires, resulting in serious damage. According to Khong Van Quang, Deputy Head of the Forest Protection Unit Region V, Tuyen Quang Provincial Forest Protection Department: “Currently, Forest Protection Unit Region V manages and protects over 70,000 hectares of forest in five communes: Na Hang, Hong Thai, Yen Hoa, Con Lon, and Thuong Nong. To proactively prevent and control forest fires, the forest protection force always closely coordinates with local Party committees and authorities to strengthen propaganda and remind people about the risks that easily lead to forest fires, such as: burning fields for cultivation in violation of regulations, carelessness in forest protection, or allowing outsiders to bring flammable materials into the forest.”

In addition, forest rangers directly guide people in implementing specific forest fire prevention and control measures, including clearing firebreaks and preparing forces and equipment to respond promptly when incidents occur. The effective implementation of the "four on-the-spot" principle – on-the-spot forces, on-the-spot command, on-the-spot equipment, and on-the-spot logistics – is identified as a crucial solution to prevent and minimize the risk of forest fires, especially during the dry season. Mr. Nong Van Thuyet, from Na Chao village, Na Hang commune, said: "Thanks to the awareness campaigns and encouragement from the officers about the importance of forest protection, especially in forest fire prevention and control, we are now very careful and attentive to avoid unfortunate incidents during forest exploitation."

Not only in Forest Protection Unit Region V, but also in other areas of the province, forest fire prevention and control work is always given special attention and implemented synchronously by the Forest Protection Units. At Forest Protection Unit Region XIV, based on reviewing and assessing the actual situation in the area, the unit regularly updates and clearly identifies key areas with a high risk of forest fires to develop appropriate prevention plans. Officers are assigned to be in charge of each area, directly monitoring the situation on the ground. The spirit of "prevention is key, firefighting must be urgent, quick, timely, and thorough" is consistently emphasized to minimize damage to forest resources.

The Head of the Forest Protection Department of Region XIV, Tuyen Quang province, Le The Tuyen, shared: “For each officer of the Forest Protection Department, the assigned task is not only a professional responsibility but also a commitment to protecting the forest with dedication and a high sense of responsibility. Despite the vast area and complex terrain, forest rangers regularly stay in the forest and on the ground, proactively monitoring the situation and promptly detecting and addressing potential threats. From patrolling to disseminating information and mobilizing the people, everything is carried out seriously and urgently.”

Be proactive in all situations.

The proactive and responsible approach of the Forest Protection Force has created a crucial foundation for forest protection efforts to receive the consensus and active participation of local Party committees, authorities, and people. In Minh Son commune, with nearly 11,000 hectares of forest land, forest protection and fire prevention have always been identified as key and ongoing tasks. All 17 villages in the commune have incorporated forest protection into their community regulations and customs, creating unity in the awareness and actions of the people.

Based on the provisions of the Forestry Law and the input of the commune authorities and local forest rangers, many villages in the province have integrated forest fire prevention and control into their village regulations and community agreements. Accordingly, the entire community is responsible for patrolling, protecting, and promptly extinguishing fires when incidents occur; and clearly defines prohibited acts such as cutting trees and burning undergrowth near forests, along with the penalties for violations. Annually, grassroots forest protection groups participate in training courses to update their knowledge and ensure they effectively carry out their duties at the local level. Especially during the peak of the dry season, the dissemination of these regulations, coupled with the strengthening of these grassroots forest protection groups, is a task that receives even greater attention from the forest rangers.

According to forecasts, the dry weather conditions will continue in the coming period, and the risk of forest fires in the province remains complex. Therefore, in addition to the proactive and decisive efforts of the Forest Protection force and all levels of government in forest fire prevention and control, the role, awareness, and responsibility of each citizen are especially important. This will contribute to preventing and minimizing the number of forest fires, protecting existing forest areas, preserving the ecological environment, and gradually increasing forest cover, aiming for sustainable development of the province in the coming years.

Text and photos: Phi Anh

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/kinh-te/nong-lam-nghiep/202602/bao-ve-rung-dip-tet-0633c75/