Preserving the green of the Southern Central Highlands

Silent patrols through the vast Bidoup - Nui Ba forest continue every day. Amidst the rainy season in the Southern Central Highlands, forest rangers and local people are persistently preserving the green of the headwater forests, protecting the ecosystem and water sources for the downstream areas.

The lush green forests of Bidoup Nui Ba are home to many species of plants and animals, maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem.

The first rains of the season have fallen on the forests of the southern Central Highlands after months of dryness. The Bidoup - Nui Ba forest is gradually returning to its deep green color, water from the streams is flowing more strongly, and the cool air from the high mountains seeps through the ancient forests covered with damp moss.

The rainy season also marks a challenging period for forest conservation efforts. While the intense fire risk of the dry season is gone, patrol forces must contend with slippery terrain, rising streams, and numerous cut-off roads in the vast forest.

Patrols are conducted day and night.

In Bidoup – Nuí Bà National Park, forest rangers maintain almost daily patrols to protect over 70,000 hectares of natural forest spread across many high-altitude, rugged areas.

Amidst the drizzling rain at Liêng Ka Forest Ranger Station, Mr. Cao Minh Trí was still monitoring forest management data on the computer system. Having been a forest ranger for many years, he knew almost every forest line and every area at risk of encroachment by heart.

Forest rangers tackle a wildfire in the middle of the forest, preventing the risk of the fire spreading.

Mr. Tri said that previously, forest patrols relied almost entirely on field experience. On each trip, forest rangers would carry food, paper maps, and walk dozens of kilometers through the forest to reach the scene.

"Some days it takes from morning until evening to get there," Mr. Tri recounted.

In recent years, forest management has been progressively supported by digital data, satellite imagery, and forest change warning systems. Patrol routes are also updated on electronic platforms to help authorities access the field more quickly.

However, in many remote forest areas of the Southern Central Highlands, technology has not yet been able to completely replace human labor.

Forest rangers continue to conduct daily patrols in the forest.

According to Mr. Pham Xuan Dam, a forest ranger working at the Bidoup - Nui Ba Forest Ranger Station, many areas deep in the forest are still inaccessible by motorized vehicles. To inspect the forest's condition or verify signs of encroachment, forest rangers still have to walk through the forest.

"Some trips last from early morning until late at night before we return to the station. The rainy season is even more difficult because the roads are slippery, the streams are large, and the equipment we carry is more prone to damage," Dam shared.

Forest rangers and many communities living near the forests in Lam Dong province are joining forces to take on contracts to protect the forests.

Many rangers are accustomed to hurried meals in the forest, nights spent in hammocks by cold streams, or patrols lasting for days on end. For them, every forest path, every slope, and the location of large ancient trees has become almost familiar after years of dedication.

In addition to patrolling, forest rangers also regularly monitor areas at risk of wildlife poaching, illegal logging, or impacts on the upstream forest ecosystem.

Preserve forests to preserve water sources.

Today, preserving forests is no longer just about preventing deforestation or dealing with violations of forestry laws. For the Southern Central Highlands, it's also a journey of preserving headwater sources and protecting the rare ecosystems of the plateau region.

Bidoup – Nui Ba is currently home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, including many rare species such as red pine, cypress, black-footed langur, and many endemic bird species found only in the Lang Biang plateau area.

Not only mushrooms, but thousands of plant species in the Bidoup - Nui Ba forest are thriving, creating a sustainable forest ecosystem.

The forests here also play a crucial role in regulating water resources for many downstream residential and agricultural areas. Therefore, preserving every area of ​​forest also means preserving the water source for the entire region.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Ha, Head of the Bidoup - Nui Ba Forest Ranger Station, the pressure to protect forests is currently very great, especially in border areas and remote, rugged forest regions.

Forest rangers are using digital devices and location tracking to assist in forest management and protection.

In recent years, the forestry sector has gradually applied technology in forest management, such as digital data, satellite imagery, GPS devices, and remote forest change warning systems. As a result, many suspected areas of forest encroachment have been detected early, allowing authorities to inspect the sites.

However, according to Mr. Ha, many devices for digital transformation, such as drones, surveillance cameras, and data storage systems, are still lacking and not yet synchronized. Meanwhile, the vast, fragmented terrain and lack of mobile phone signal in many areas mean that forest management still relies heavily on human intervention.

Forest rangers operate unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to monitor forest resources.

"Technology helps support early warning and more effective management, but to have a firm grasp of the forest's current state, forest rangers still need to be physically present in the forest," Mr. Ha said.

Not only forest rangers, but also many communities living near forests in Lam Dong province are now participating in forest protection contracts. For many households, preserving the forest also means preserving their water source for daily life, agricultural land, and long-term livelihoods.

Forces participated in clearing debris and planting 500 trees at Bidoup - Nuí Bà National Park.

In many parts of the Southern Central Highlands, young people are also beginning to return to the forests through ecological restoration models, planting native trees, and developing livelihoods linked to nature conservation.

Beneath the mist-shrouded canopy of ancient forests, patrols in Bidoup – Nui Ba continue quietly every day. Amidst the vast forests of the Southern Central Highlands, forest rangers persistently climb slopes and cross streams to preserve the greenness of the headwaters, maintain water sources, and ensure the balance of the ecosystem.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/giu-mau-xanh-nam-tay-nguyen-445150.html