Bright spot of forest protection in Lao Chai

BHG - The policy of payment for forest environmental services (PFES) has become an effective solution to improve forest management and development, and improve the livelihoods of ethnic minority people in Lao Chai commune (Vi Xuyen).

Ban Phung village has a large area of natural forest and is the first place to build, maintain and effectively operate the community forest protection team model. Each year, the forest area and the amount of money benefiting from the DVMTR policy increase significantly. In 2025, the village had 735 hectares of forest provided with DVMTR with the amount paid up to more than 400 million VND. This is the highest payment level among the 4 villages of Lao Chai commune. The village's community forest protection team currently has 6 members, who are prestigious, knowledgeable about the area, and have been attached to the forest for many years. Usually, the members are divided into 2 groups, assigned to take turns patrolling the forest according to a fixed and irregular schedule, especially in the dry, hot season, when there is a high risk of forest fires.

The community forest protection team of Ban Phung village, Lao Chai commune and the Tay Con Linh special-use forest management board patrolled the forest.

Mr. Vang Chi Dinh shared: “With the thought that protecting the forest is not the responsibility of one person, but the responsibility of all people, especially those who live on the forest, drink water from the forest streams and cultivate rice at the foot of the forest, I have actively patrolled the forest with members of the community forest protection team of Ban Phung village. At the same time, I propagate and mobilize people to raise awareness of forest protection, resolutely oppose illegal logging and burning, and promptly coordinate with the authorities when unusual situations occur in the assigned forest. There are forest patrols in the Tay Con Linh special-use forest area that last 4 days, we often bring rice, fish sauce, salt, flashlights to stay at the post. Due to the strongly divided terrain, steep slopes, in winter the temperature drops, the snow covers everything, wearing cotton clothes is not warm enough, at night we cannot sleep, but we always encourage each other to try to keep the forest green forever”.

According to Mr. Dinh, thanks to the high consensus of the people and the open and transparent way of managing the source of money for DVMTR payment, the funds have been used by the village according to regulations. In particular, ensuring working days for the forest protection team; purchasing essential tools for patrolling work; allocating a portion to repair roads, build forest patrol roads, upgrade the village cultural house, support the organization of community cultural activities, and organize training to improve the capacity of the people. Thanks to that, the people always trust and are ready to contribute their efforts when the forest protection team needs more support to participate in forest protection activities, build firebreaks to prevent and fight forest fires.

People of Ban Phung village, Lao Chai commune, clear a firebreak in Tay Con Linh special-use forest to prevent and fight forest fires.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thiet, Vice Chairman of Lao Chai Commune People's Committee, said: The whole commune has more than 1,600 hectares of forest implementing the forest environmental service policy, accounting for half of the total existing forest area. In 2025, the total amount paid was more than 979 million VND, the highest level ever. The entire forest area receiving forest environmental service money is managed by the village communities.

Over the years, implementing the DVMTR policy associated with raising awareness, responsibility and actions of the community in managing, protecting and developing forests, Lao Chai commune has not allowed any violations to occur to the forest. Forests are considered valuable assets, not only providing livelihoods and increasing income, but also preserving the ecosystem, creating harmonious development, connecting people with nature.

Article and photos: MOC LAN

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/kinh-te/202506/diem-sang-giu-rung-o-lao-chai-41335c7/