The “key” to raising awareness of forest protection in Meo Vac

BHG - The policy of payment for forest environmental services (PFES) deployed and implemented in Meo Vac district not only brings a stable source of income to people but also becomes the "key" to help them raise awareness in protecting and developing forests.

Meo Vac district currently has more than 21,000 hectares of forest, most of which are protective forests and special-use forests. Previously, deforestation and encroachment on forest land for farming were quite common due to people's difficult lives and limited awareness of forest protection. However, since the policy of payment for forest environmental services was implemented, especially in the past 5 years, people's thinking has clearly changed.

Meo Vac District Forest Protection Department officers inspect the forest status.

Mr. Tho Mi Xa, a long-time forest dweller in Can Chu Phin village, Can Chu Phin commune, shared: “In the past, we simply thought that forests were for firewood and timber. But since we received money for forest environmental services, we understand that forests also provide water, fresh air, forest environmental services and natural disaster prevention and control. Thanks to that, villagers have become more proactive in protecting forest trees, and there is no longer a situation of indiscriminate cutting down trees.”

Similarly, Mr. Ho Mi Cua, Ha Che village, Ta Lung commune said: “The annual DVMTR fund we receive has helped us have more resources to build works serving the common activities of the village, especially in making concrete roads within the village. Thanks to that, over the past 5 years, the village has completed more than 3 km of concrete roads, thereby helping people travel conveniently and significantly freeing up labor as well as increasing work efficiency. In addition, having concrete roads also helps our forest patrol team travel more conveniently and effectively in carrying out the task of protecting the forest”.

In order for the DVMTR policy to truly come into life, Meo Vac district has focused on directing drastic and synchronous solutions in recent times. In particular, the district has closely coordinated with the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund to review and fully update the forest area providing services, ensuring public, transparent and correct payment. At the same time, communes and towns are guided to develop plans to use DVMTR funds in a practical manner, prioritizing activities such as patrolling, protecting forests, upgrading forest roads, supporting tools, and training for contracted communities. Propaganda and awareness raising work has been promoted through many diverse forms, suitable to the characteristics of ethnic minority areas. Thanks to that, people have gradually understood the role of forests and voluntarily participated in protecting and preserving forest resources as an integral part of their daily livelihoods.

According to the assessment of Meo Vac District Forest Protection Department: In recent years, thanks to the good implementation of forest management, protection and development, especially the effective implementation of the DVMTR policy, it has had a positive impact on the district's forest protection work. In which, the number of violations of the Forestry Law in the area has been controlled, no serious or complicated incidents have occurred; the forest cover rate is higher year after year. In 2024, the forest cover rate of the whole district reached 38.2%, an increase of 3.4% compared to 2020. This is a solid foundation for the district to strive to increase the forest cover rate to 38.8% by the end of 2025. In addition to the effectiveness of forest protection, funding from DVMTR is also effectively used for village development activities, strengthening infrastructure, contributing to improving the quality of life for people. This further strengthens people's trust and support for forest protection policies.

It can be seen that the DVMTR policy has truly become a double “lever” in Meo Vac district. It has brought both practical economic benefits and aroused and raised people’s sense of responsibility in protecting and developing forests. This is a clear demonstration that when people’s interests are linked to the protection of natural resources, they will become the core force in forest protection.

Article and photos: TRAN KE

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/kinh-te/202505/chia-khoa-nang-cao-y-thuc-bao-ve-rung-tai-meo-vac-25a3701/