The entire district currently has nearly 80,000 hectares of forest with a forest cover rate of over 55%. In 2024 alone, the people received over 35 billion VND in forest environmental service fees for participating in forest protection. In villages with forests, the average household received 13-25 million VND per year, with some households receiving up to 40-50 million VND.
Recognizing that "forests are valuable assets, and preserving forests means preserving long-term livelihoods," the district has allocated land and forests to local communities for direct management. Simultaneously, these villages have established forest protection and fire prevention teams, signing clear responsibilities. At the beginning of the dry season, these teams mobilize villagers to clear undergrowth and create firebreaks to proactively prevent forest fires. Communes such as Hua Bum, Nam Cha, Nam Manh, and Nam Ban are prime examples of the "People protect the forest - the forest sustains the people" model.
The payment for forest ecosystem services not only provides people with additional income but also fundamentally changes their perceptions. From viewing forests as a resource to be exploited, people now understand that preserving forests means preserving their water sources, their arable land, and a sustainable living environment for future generations.
Mr. Hu Van Nguyen from Chang Chao Pa village, Hua Bum commune, shared: “Many years ago, people used to go into the forest to cut wood and hunt wild animals. When we started receiving payments for forest ecosystem services, we received money, which gave us capital to buy machinery for production, livestock, and build barns. Every year, my family receives over 10 million VND to reinvest in production, and our lives are more stable. Now, if anyone destroys the forest, the villagers immediately protest.”
Nguyen's story also demonstrates that people are becoming increasingly attached to the forest through practical actions. Not only are they preserving the forest, but many households are also proactively planting trees under the forest canopy such as cardamom and orchids, or developing livestock farming to increase their income.
Ms. Lo Thi Me from Nam O village (Nam Ban commune) said: “Every year, my family receives about 10 million VND from the forest environmental service. We use that money to buy fertilizer, corn seeds, or buffalo and cattle breeding stock. People no longer clear forests for slash-and-burn farming like before. With green forests, there is enough water, the crops are good, and the villagers have a stable income, so their children have the opportunity to go to school.”
Militia forces of Nam Cha commune (Nam Nhun district) patrol and protect the forest.
In border communes like Hua Bum, where over 64% of the land is forest, people are deeply aware of the role of forests in ensuring water resources and stabilizing livelihoods. In villages like Nam Nghe, Nam Cuoi, and Pa Mu, each household receives 20-25 million VND per year from the Forest Environmental Services Program. Many households have been able to buy plows to replace livestock-powered tractors, contributing to increased labor productivity and gradually mechanizing agricultural production.
The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program has also made a significant contribution to the new rural development program in Nam Nhun district. Thanks to income from the forest, people have the means to improve their housing, invest in their children's education, and purchase essential goods. Many villages have even allocated a portion of their PES payments to expand and pave internal village roads, renovate cultural centers, and contribute to improving the criteria for new rural development. Currently, Nam Nhun district has 3 communes that have achieved the new rural development standard, while the remaining communes average 13.5 criteria per commune. The average per capita income is over 38 million VND/year; the poverty rate has decreased by an average of 4-5% per year. This result would not have been possible without the contribution from PES payments.
To further enhance effectiveness, Nam Nhun district has closely supervised the implementation of payments for forest environmental services, providing specific guidance on declaration and identification of forest owners, ensuring payments are made to the correct recipients and in a transparent manner. Public awareness campaigns have been intensified through various forms to ensure people understand their responsibilities and rights when participating in forest conservation. The district continues to review and replan forest land areas, expanding the planting of economic forests and watershed protection forests. Simultaneously, it is promoting the application of digital technology in monitoring and managing forest resources, and improving community capacity in forest fire prevention and control.
Mr. Nguyen Van Giap, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Nhun District, said: "Payment for forest environmental services is a lever to help people increase their income and change their awareness in forest protection. Previously, people went into the forest to exploit timber and cultivate fields, but now the forest is considered a 'green income source,' creating motivation for them to actively protect and develop the forest. In addition, the district also coordinates with communes to organize propaganda and guide people to use the money for the right purposes, investing in economic development and sustainable poverty reduction."
Preserving forests also means preserving water resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring the stability and sustainable development of the entire community. With the determination of the Party committee and government, and the consensus of the people, the forest area of Nam Nhun district will certainly continue to expand and develop sustainably.
Source: https://baolaichau.vn/kinh-te/dan-giu-rung-rung-nuoi-dan-718558
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