Forest protection is linked to the development of forestry economics in Van Nho.

The People's Committee of Van Nho commune, the forest owner, coordinated with the Ba Thuoc Forest Protection Department to inspect the forest in the area.

We visited the forest farm of Mr. Ha Van Niem's family in Pat village. He excitedly stated: "My family was allocated land and forest by the People's Committee of Van Nho Commune and the Ba Thuoc Forest Management Unit to protect and develop forestry-based economic activities ; the Van Nho commune officials provided guidance on planting, caring for, and protecting the forest. In addition to the 6.78 hectares of protected forest (including 3.3 hectares of natural forest), my family has planted 3.48 hectares of production forest (including 1 hectare of large timber and 2.48 hectares of bamboo forest). Most of the bamboo forest has been intensively cultivated and restored. After planting, I proactively prune branches, clear weeds, and remove undergrowth to prevent fires and fertilize the trees for growth. To make ends meet while the large timber forest is not yet ready for harvesting, my family raises dozens of beehives and develops livestock and poultry under the forest canopy. Every month, I work with the local authorities and forest rangers to regularly patrol the forest, promptly detecting, preventing, and handling violations of forest protection laws. The entire forest area belongs to my family." "Mastering forest management ensures healthy and thriving development, prevents forest fires, and keeps forests safe and protected..."

In discussions with officials in Pat village, we learned that Pat village has 386.24 hectares of forest, including 150 hectares of planted production forest, mainly bamboo and acacia trees. Thanks to the guidance and awareness campaigns by officials from the Van Nho Commune People's Committee, the villagers have proactively fertilized and cared for their bamboo forests. As a result, the bamboo forests are growing well, producing early and abundant shoots, with large, straight trees and long internodes, leading to higher yields and income than before. Monthly, representatives from the village management board, forest owners, and the Commune People's Committee, along with forest rangers, patrol the area to detect, prevent, and handle violations of the Forestry Law. The forest area in Pat village is protected, always thriving, and free from forest fires and illegal logging. Pat village has 114 hectares of bamboo forest that have been intensively cultivated and restored. Many households in the village have a stable income from developing forest-based economic activities.

“By January 2026, Van Nho commune will have 5,428.16 hectares of forest and forestry land, including 2,683.22 hectares of natural forest and the remaining area being planted production forest. The commune has developed over 70 hectares of large timber forest. In 2025, Van Nho planted and replanted over 74 hectares of forest that had been harvested according to regulations. The forest cover in the commune will reach 79.09% by December 31, 2025. To protect the forest at its source, the commune has issued documents to effectively implement Directive No. 13-CT/TW dated January 12, 2017, of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over the management, protection, and development of forests. It has reviewed and supplemented forest protection and fire prevention and control plans according to the "four on-the-spot" principle; developed forest fire fighting operational plans and forest fire fighting operational maps to proactively respond to fire situations.” "Forest protection teams are being established in villages and hamlets, with particular emphasis on key areas at risk of forest insecurity. Along with the socialization of forest protection work, Van Nho commune proactively implements solutions to improve the efficiency of forest production and utilization, attract and create more jobs, increase income for people working in forestry, and protect the ecological environment. The focus is on intensive cultivation and restoration of bamboo forests, and planting forests with high-quality forestry trees. In general, the entire planted forest area has been and is being cared for, protected, and is growing and developing well," said Comrade Tong Minh Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Nho commune.

To change the perceptions and practices of local people in planting and caring for bamboo forests, the People's Committee of Van Nho commune coordinated with relevant agencies to go down to the villages to disseminate and promote policies supporting the development of intensive bamboo cultivation areas; provide training on techniques for caring for and fertilizing bamboo forests; and connect with businesses and timber processing factories to purchase bamboo ready for harvesting, so that people can confidently cultivate bamboo forests. As a result, Van Nho commune has developed 1,500 hectares of bamboo forest, of which over 1,000 hectares have been intensively cultivated and restored. With fertilization, the bamboo shoot production coefficient has increased 1.5 times, the shoots are larger and longer, and the value of bamboo has been increased. The effectiveness of the policy on developing intensive bamboo cultivation areas has helped raise the awareness of local authorities and people in managing and protecting the forest in conjunction with the development of the forestry economy.

Currently, Van Nho commune is proactively implementing several solutions such as strengthening state management of forest protection and development; reviewing and assessing the current state of bamboo processing facilities in the area to find solutions to improve the efficiency of production and business of bamboo products; committing to not purchasing or consuming immature bamboo; building cooperative models for bamboo production and business to create sufficiently large concentrated raw material areas and act as a bridge to attract businesses to invest capital, science and technology in intensive cultivation, and sustainable and efficient bamboo forest development. Forest security in Van Nho commune is maintained, with no forest fires or illegal deforestation occurring. The work of forest protection and conservation is actively participated in by households, groups of households and representatives of village communities. The area of degraded natural forest has been restored and developed stably. The protected forest grows and develops well, not only promoting the protective function of biodiversity and creating environmental landscapes but also providing water sources for irrigation works. By proactively implementing forest protection and reforestation programs to green barren hills and empty land, the people of Van Nho commune have created more local jobs, generating sustainable livelihoods, contributing to poverty reduction, improving living standards, and promoting the New Rural Development Program. The green of production forests in Van Nho commune is expanding, and the reforestation of barren hills and empty land demonstrates a shift in the awareness of ethnic minority communities. Protecting and planting forests in conjunction with developing the forestry economy brings multifaceted benefits, with economic and environmental value for families and communities, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.

Text and photos: Thu Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bao-ve-rung-gan-voi-phat-trien-kinh-te-lam-nghiep-o-van-nho-274917.htm