Join hands to "Green the forest"

In response to World Environment Day with the theme “land restoration, drought and desertification prevention”, on June 2, the Center for People and Nature (PanNature) under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations organized the Green Forest 2024 event with the goal of replanting 25 hectares of forest connecting Hoa Binh and Son La provinces.

According to Trinh Le Nguyen, Director of the Center for People and Nature, in recent times, the improper exploitation of forests by some ethnic minorities has partly led to forest degradation. Forest restoration activities contribute to the common goal of increasing ground cover, reducing the risk of desertification and improving the land.

“In this period, PanNature is planting forests in parallel in both the Pa Cop-Hua Tat forest range and the Hang Kia-Pa Co Nature Reserve. Doing this well can create more habitats for wild animals,” added Mr. Trinh Le Nguyen.

The border area between Mai Chau district (Hoa Binh province) and Van Ho district (Son La province) has a cool climate all year round with old forests on beautiful rocky and earthen mountains. This is home to a diverse flora and fauna. In terms of flora, there are pine trees, cypress trees, pine trees, rare orchids, etc. In terms of fauna, there is the white-cheeked gibbon listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Van Ho district is currently home to many Mong people and other highland ethnic minorities. Many of their unique cultural features are closely linked to the mountains and forests. Over the years, pressure from economic activities has caused many areas of natural forests to be impacted, fragmented and degraded.

It is estimated that about 500 hectares of this forest range need to be restored to ensure the natural landscape and maintain the habitat for the endemic gibbon species. If there is human support, the restoration process will be shortened.

Volunteers are carefully instructed on the process before planting the forest.

This year, Green Forest attracts the participation of nearly 300 volunteers from the Van Ho District Youth Union, Van Ho Commune Women's Union, and organizations and individuals supporting forest restoration activities from many different provinces and cities.

“Forests play an important role in socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, maintaining a green and clean environment and preserving rare species of flora and fauna. For Van Ho, forests are especially important. Because they serve the above purposes, forests here also contribute to the development of tourism types such as: eco-tourism, resort tourism, cultural experience tourism of ethnic groups…”, Mr. Nguyen Hung Chien, Deputy Head of Van Ho District Forest Protection Department added.

Van Ho is an area for tourism and agricultural development, focusing on fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and grain crops. These activities often bring immediate economic benefits. While afforestation takes a long time, from 7 to 10 years, to reap economic benefits. Therefore, propaganda, mobilization, and persuasion of people to participate in afforestation face many difficulties.

With high determination and the response and cooperation of the community, especially in afforestation activities, the work of protecting and developing forests in Van Ho district has achieved many good results. The forest is increasingly greener, richer in reserves, with higher biodiversity value, and rare species of flora and fauna will be better protected.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chung-tay-hanh-dong-de-rung-xanh-len-post812355.html