Bright spot in using forest protection and development fund

In early October, we had the opportunity to go to Ot Cha village, one of the most difficult villages in the border commune of Phieng Pan. At this time, the people of Ot Cha village are actively clearing vegetation and building firebreaks early, preparing for forest fire prevention and fighting in the upcoming dry season.

Propaganda on forest protection and development for people in Ot Cha village, Phieng Pan commune.

Ot Cha village has 102 households and 461 people, mainly Thai and Mong ethnic people. For many years, the lives of people in the village have mainly depended on agriculture , with coffee trees and small-scale livestock farming. The area of ​​cultivated land is limited, mainly on sloping land, people's lives are still difficult; the village currently has 13 poor households and 30 near-poor households. However, Ot Cha village is a bright spot in forest protection and effective use of forest environmental service funds (FES), creating more livelihoods and contributing to the construction of works serving people's lives.

Mr. Luong Van Phong, Party Cell Secretary, Head of Ot Cha village, said: Previously, due to the small area of ​​cultivated land, people often destroyed forests to make fields. But since the policy of paying for forest environmental services was introduced, over 950 hectares of natural forest in the village have been well protected, the forest has brought a significant source of income to the village, and at the same time contributed significantly to protecting and developing sustainable forests. On average, each year, Ot Cha village is paid over 130 million VND for forest environmental services.

People of Ot Cha village, Phieng Pan commune, signed a commitment to protect the forest.

Following the forest fire prevention and fighting (PCCCR) team of Ot Cha village on patrol, we clearly felt the sense of responsibility of the local people. Ms. Quang Thi Thoi, a member of the PCCCR team of the village, shared: The team has 21 people, divided into 4 groups; each month, they organize 2-3 patrols, check the border forest area, detect and prevent forest encroachment in a timely manner. Thanks to funding from the DVMTR fund, the team is supported with allowances, clothes, knives, hoes, fire extinguishers, flashlights... Every year, the commune coordinates to open professional training classes, so the members have a firm grasp of PCCCR skills.

Thanks to active activities, for many years in Ot Cha village there has been no case of illegal logging, small fires have been detected and handled promptly. In addition, people have proactively cleared the ground cover, built firebreaks, signed a commitment to protect the forest with each household, and linked responsibility with direct benefits from the Forest Service Fund.

Officers of the Forest Protection Department of Region VI and the PCCCR protection team of Ot Cha village patrol the forest.

Along with forest protection, the people of Ot Cha village have effectively used the DVMTR fund to build new rural areas. Implementing the motto "The State and the people work together", in the past 5 years, the village has allocated 88 million VND from the fund to expand 400 m of internal village roads, repair the cultural house, build roofs and level the ground of the kindergarten, and support the forest protection team. All expenditures are discussed publicly, creating consensus and contributing to changing the face of the countryside and improving people's lives.

In the coming time, Ot Cha village will continue to effectively use the DVMTR fund, prioritizing investment in essential projects such as internal village roads, domestic water systems, and schools. Part of the funding will support people to develop sustainable livelihoods through models of growing medicinal plants and raising livestock under the forest canopy, contributing to poverty reduction and increasing income. The village also promotes propaganda and training on forest protection, fire prevention and transparent and effective fund management, aiming at the goal of "both protecting the forest and developing the economy and society".

The PCCCR protection team of Ot Cha village, Phieng Pan commune clears vegetation along the runway.

Ms. Sa Thi The Ha, Forest Ranger of Forest Ranger Department Region VI, informed: In recent years, forest management and protection in Phieng Pan commune has been well maintained; people have become more aware of forest protection and transparent and effective use of the forest service fund. In particular, Ot Cha village is a typical unit, many civil works have been invested with forest money, contributing to improving living standards and strengthening community solidarity.

From well-protected green forests, Ot Cha village shows the clear effectiveness of combining economic development with forest protection. The policy of paying for forest environmental services helps people have a stable source of income, improve their lives, and at the same time increase the spirit of solidarity and sense of responsibility in protecting the forest - protecting the source of life and the peace of the village on the border of the Fatherland.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/diem-sang-su-dung-quy-bao-ve-va-phat-trien-rung-5nu1NKeNg.html