Protecting border forests: Proactive "prevention" to limit "resistance"

As ethnic minorities in mountainous regions enter the peak production season, the headwater forests also face significantly increased pressure from both natural and human factors. In border areas, where the terrain is fragmented and administrative boundaries are intertwined, the risk of forest encroachment does not come from one side but is often a combined consequence of farming practices, livelihood needs, and gaps in management.

The experience in Lao Cai shows that forest protection is no longer a single task for specialized forces, but a "comprehensive problem" requiring disciplined management, synchronized solutions, and genuine community participation.

The forest protection team of Ta Chu village, Hanh Phuc commune, proactively clears undergrowth to reduce the risk of forest fires during the dry season.

According to the Tram Tau Protective Forest Management Board, the unit is currently managing over 51,194 hectares of forest land, of which more than 37,000 hectares are forested, with a forest cover rate of nearly 80%. Notably, the majority of the natural forest area is located at an altitude of over 1,500 meters, with steep terrain, difficult transportation, and is directly affected by the western climate.

Since the beginning of 2026, the weather has been highly erratic, with the Lao wind appearing more frequently, and air humidity dropping below 50% at many times, causing the vegetation to become dry and brittle, making even a small spark a potential fire.

Furthermore, traditional production practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture, vegetation clearing, and livestock grazing, if not strictly managed, pose potential risks and become direct contributors to forest degradation.

Mr. Lai Van Quang, Deputy Director of the Tram Tau Protective Forest Management Board, frankly acknowledged: "During extreme weather conditions, even a small mistake in the use of fire can lead to very serious consequences. Therefore, we have determined that we must prepare scenarios early and in advance, focusing on prevention and avoiding being caught off guard."

Based on that understanding, the approach to forest protection at the local level has shifted significantly, focusing on linking responsibility with the interests of the people through forest protection contracting policies.

Currently, 55 village communities with 6,455 households have participated in the forest protection contract program, creating a "forest protection network" right at the grassroots level.

In high-risk areas such as Ta Chu village, Hanh Phuc commune - where cultivated land is interspersed with protective forests - patrols are strictly maintained. Every day, teams of 15-17 people take turns inspecting the field, promptly detecting risks, and simultaneously disseminating information and reminding residents.

Mr. Hau A Giao, head of Ta Chu village, shared: "We maintain public awareness campaigns through the loudspeaker system in both Vietnamese and Hmong, broadcasting three times a day, helping people understand the dangers of forest fires. With proper understanding, people will proactively use fire safely and actively participate in forest protection."

In reality, when each contracted household becomes the "eyes and ears" in forest protection, the effectiveness of management not only increases but also creates a stronger bond between the community and forest resources.

Officials from the Tram Tau Protective Forest Management Board are raising awareness among local residents about forest fire prevention and control during the dry season.

However, in border areas, forest protection still presents many unique challenges. Encroachment on forest land for grazing, uncontrolled burning of undergrowth, and land use disputes between people in neighboring localities still occur. In some locations, after adjustments to forestry planning, boundary markers have not been fully installed in the field, creating "gaps" in administrative management.

In light of this situation, the solutions implemented went beyond simply increasing patrols and inspections; they focused on establishing inter-regional coordination mechanisms. The Tram Tau Protective Forest Management Board strengthened its forest fire prevention and control force, maintaining 24/7 duty during peak periods, and organized inter-communal drills to standardize procedures for handling incidents that spread across boundaries.

Simultaneously, the process of finalizing boundary records and placing markers in the field is being accelerated to clearly establish management responsibilities and minimize disputes.

The Púng Luông pine forest is protected under a contract with the local community, contributing to the preservation of the "green lung" and sustainable livelihoods for people in the highlands.

A notable aspect of the approach taken in the highland localities is the incorporation of forest protection regulations into village customs and conventions. In Púng Luông commune, the villages have unanimously agreed to develop common conventions, serving as a basis for managing and handling violations in a coordinated manner.

Mr. Pham Tien Lam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Pung Luong commune, said: "When regulations are concretized in the village charter, people can understand and implement them more easily, and at the same time create a very clear sense of community binding."

In Na Hang Tau village, over 370 hectares of forest are managed by the community with a specific assignment mechanism for each household. Every day, households take turns patrolling and guarding; failure to do so results in deductions from forest environmental service fees. This approach not only ensures discipline but also creates self-discipline within the community, where each violation is not only dealt with according to regulations but also judged by the community as a whole.

With limited forest rangers and complex terrain, relying on the local population became a strategic choice.

In Lao Chai commune, more than 1,700 households have signed commitments to protect the forest, voluntarily participated in self-governing groups, and been equipped with on-site firefighting equipment through social mobilization.

Furthermore, the locality also focuses on developing livelihoods under the forest canopy, such as cultivating cardamom and hawthorn, helping people have a stable source of income and thus become more attached to the forest.

Information on forest environmental service payment policies is posted in the forest, helping people understand their rights and responsibilities, contributing to raising awareness of forest protection and sustainable development.

Another important pillar is the policy of payment for forest environmental services. Every year, tens of billions of dong are paid to people participating in forest protection, creating a clear economic incentive.

When forests generate income, people no longer view them as "unclaimed common resources," but as assets directly linked to their lives. This also forms the basis for the mindset of "preserving forests means preserving livelihoods," instead of focusing on short-term exploitation.

The Na Hau Nature Reserve, with its rich natural ecosystem, plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and watershed protection, and is being preserved through the joint efforts of the local government and community.

In fact, from the beginning of 2026 until now, no forest fires have occurred in the forest areas managed by the relevant units, demonstrating the initial effectiveness of shifting the focus from "firefighting" to "fire prevention". However, given the increasingly extreme effects of climate change, the risk remains ever-present, requiring solutions to be continuously improved and maintained.

Therefore, preserving border forests is not just a matter for forest rangers or local authorities, but a test of integrated governance capacity. When people truly own the forest, when economic benefits go hand in hand with responsibility, and when coordination mechanisms are tightly designed, each forest will not only be kept green, but will also become a sustainable foundation for long-term socio-economic development in the highlands.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/giu-rung-giap-ranh-chu-dong-phong-de-han-che-chong-post899023.html