Preserving the "green lungs"

Along with socio-economic development, the management, protection, and development of forests in Phu Tho province in general, and Hoa Binh Forest Ranger Station in particular, have always been a priority and considered a key and ongoing task. Given the province's relatively large forest area, forest management and protection are consistently prioritized by forest rangers, local authorities, and the people each year, contributing to preserving the "green lungs" of the region, ensuring livelihoods for the people, and promoting sustainable ecological development.

The Hoa Binh Forest Protection Department currently manages over 20,000 hectares of land designated for forestry, including over 2,200 hectares of special-use forest land; nearly 4,200 hectares of protection forest land; and nearly 15,000 hectares of production forest land, spread across the wards of Thong Nhat, Hoa Binh, Tan Hoa, Ky Son, and Thinh Minh commune in the former Hoa Binh city.

With its complex terrain, including natural and planted forests interspersed with residential areas, the forest rangers face numerous difficulties and challenges in patrolling and controlling the forests. However, thanks to the synchronized implementation of solutions and close coordination between the forest rangers, local authorities, forest protection teams, and the people, there have been no hotspots of deforestation or illegal logging in the area for many years.

One of the highlights of forest protection work in Hoa Binh Forest Ranger District is the promotion of the role of local communities in forest management and protection. People are not only beneficiaries of the forest but also an important force in forest preservation. They consider the forest as their own property. If the forest is cut down or eroded, their lives will be affected. Therefore, everyone is conscious of preserving it and reminds each other not to violate the regulations.

Officers from the Hoa Binh Forest Protection Department inspect the forest under their management in Hoa Binh ward.

Along with forest management and protection, many households in the area know how to rationally exploit the potential of the forest to develop the economy and increase income. A typical example is the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu in Hoa Binh ward, who currently owns nearly 20 hectares of forest. Ms. Thu shared that previously, she and other residents considered the forest as a place to gather firewood and bamboo shoots, resulting in low income. Since being allocated land and forest, her family has invested in planting perennial trees, caring for and protecting them according to the guidance of the relevant authorities, especially the local forest rangers. Every 6-7 years, the family earns hundreds of millions of dong from harvesting the forest.

The Hoa Binh Forest Protection Department is also promoting the application of technology in forest management. A system for monitoring forest and forestry land changes in the area using FRMS software is applied synchronously; information on forest fire risks is regularly updated to provide timely warnings and responses. Especially during the dry season, forest fire prevention and control plans are strictly implemented according to the "four on-the-spot" principle: on-the-spot forces, on-the-spot equipment, on-the-spot command, and on-the-spot logistics.

The dissemination and education of forestry laws have also been emphasized. Regular communication sessions are held in residential areas and through loudspeakers in communes and wards, helping people better understand the economic and environmental value of forests and their responsibility to protect them. Thanks to forests, water resources are more abundant, the climate is cooler, and the environment is safer.

Alongside forest management and protection, the Hoa Binh Forest Ranger Station also collaborates with wards, communes, forestry enterprises, and households to promote economic forest planting linked to livelihood development. Models of planting acacia and eucalyptus trees combined with livestock farming under the forest canopy have yielded clear results.

Since the beginning of the year, over 700 hectares of forest have been planted in the 5 wards and communes under the management of the Forest Management Unit, along with 48,000 scattered trees of various types. Support has been provided for planting nearly 150 hectares of high-quality seedlings, totaling over 200,000 trees, raising forest cover to nearly 45%. The development of the forest economy not only increases income for the people but also reduces pressure on natural forests, contributing to long-term resource protection.

Forest rangers are working with local people to raise awareness about forest management and protection.

Comrade Bach Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Head of the Hoa Binh Forest Protection Department, said: "We consider forest management and protection as a key task, closely linked to economic development and stabilizing people's lives."

The district consistently strengthens inspection, monitoring, detection, and strict handling of violations of forestry laws, while also doing a good job of disseminating information and mobilizing the people to work together to protect the forest. The district continues to strongly apply information technology, strengthen coordination with local authorities, and focus on forest protection linked to livelihood development to ensure truly sustainable forest management.”

It is evident that, thanks to the decisive involvement of all levels and sectors, and the close coordination between forest rangers and the people, the area and quality of forests under the management of the Hoa Binh Forest Ranger Station are increasingly maintained and developed. These lush green forests are not only a "shield" protecting the environment, but also a source of livelihood and pride for the local people.

In the coming period, the Hoa Binh Forest Protection Department will continue to steadfastly adhere to the motto "protecting forests is protecting life," contributing to the province's successful achievement of the goal of green, sustainable, and environmentally friendly economic development.

Hoang Huong

Source: https://baophutho.vn/gin-giu-la-phoi-xanh-241451.htm