To make spring even greener.

In the days leading up to, during, and after the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, specialized forest protection forces at forest management units throughout Khanh Hoa province continued to work tirelessly along forest paths to keep the spring green.

Efforts to preserve forests

At the Hot Spring Forest Protection Post ( thuộc Ninh Tay Forest Protection Station, Ninh Hoa - Van Ninh Protective Forest Management Board), Post Chief Thai Van Tam said: “In the days before, during, and after the Lunar New Year, four dedicated forest protection officers took turns patrolling and protecting the natural Cam Xe forest area in Tay Ninh Hoa commune, especially in the Tay Ninh Hoa hot spring area and other areas with a high risk of forest fires, illegal logging, and encroachment on forest land.” What Mr. Tam and the staff at this forest protection post are most worried about is that the Cam Xe forest in Ninh Tay is currently shedding its leaves, with thick undergrowth; many areas are interspersed with cultivated fields and border residential areas, thus posing a high risk of fire when people use fire carelessly. Therefore, the forest protection force has increased patrols, disseminated information, and reminded people not to use fire near or within the forest, proactively preventing forest fires.

The specialized forest protection force of the Ninh Hoa - Van Ninh Protective Forest Management Board patrols and protects the Cam Xe forest in Tay Ninh Hoa commune.

The Ninh Hoa - Van Ninh Protective Forest Management Board is responsible for managing over 53,000 hectares of forest and forest land across 9 communes. However, the specialized force consists of only 33 people, each responsible for a large area, while the forest area constantly faces illegal logging and encroachment on forest land. During the peak of the dry season from March to August, approximately 5,000 hectares of planted forests and natural Cam Xe forests are at high risk of fire. Thanks to proactive risk identification, increased patrols, and early and remote control, the forest area under the unit's management was basically protected during this year's Lunar New Year.

We arrived at the Son Tan Forest Protection Station (Cam Lam - Cam Ranh - Khanh Son Protective Forest Management Board) when the sun was already scorching. The protective forests in areas like Va Ly, Dau Trau, Cay Sung... (Cam Hiep commune) were shedding their leaves. Mr. Nguyen Le Huynh, the head of the Son Tan Forest Protection Station, was busily assigning personnel to watch for fires. The forest keepers' equipment after Tet consisted only of sticky rice cakes, water, and hammocks. They climbed to high points to observe and promptly report any small fires to the station for immediate action.

Reportedly, the Son Tan Forest Protection Station is responsible for managing over 4,800 hectares of natural and planted protective forests in Cam Hiep and Suoi Dau communes. With the dry season approaching and the risk of forest fires increasing, the unit organized patrols throughout the Tet holiday. As a result, the forest area remained secure during Tet, with no forest fires or illegal logging occurring.

Strengthening forest management and protection.

The province has over 529,000 hectares of forest and forestry land, accounting for more than 61% of its natural area, of which over 401,700 hectares are forested. The large area, complex terrain, numerous border areas, trails, and open routes pose significant challenges for forest owners and forest protection forces. To preserve the greenness of the forests, during this year's Lunar New Year, the leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Environment visited, encouraged, and directed forest ranger stations and forest protection checkpoints to strictly implement the Provincial People's Committee's directives on strengthening forest management, protection, and fire prevention and control before, during, and after the Tet holiday. Thanks to proactive and decisive action, no violations of the Forestry Law occurred in the province, and no forest fires broke out during Tet.

According to Mr. Tran Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Resolution of the First Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030, sets a target of achieving a forest cover rate of 47% by 2030. To achieve this goal, along with forest development, forest protection and fire prevention and control are maintained regularly and continuously. The Department has proactively advised the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, and the Provincial People's Committee to issue and implement comprehensive guiding documents; requiring the Forest Protection Sub-Department and forest management units to coordinate with local authorities and functional forces to strengthen patrols and inspections, promptly detect and strictly handle acts of encroachment on forest resources... During the peak of the dry season, units and localities strictly fulfill their responsibilities in managing and protecting forests, and are ready to respond to forest fires according to the "four on-the-spot" principle.

HAI LANG

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202602/cho-mua-xuan-them-xanh-c5a7e71/