Preserving forests in the buffer zone of Hoang Lien National Park.

Ban Bo commune (Lai Chau province), located in the buffer zone of Hoang Lien National Park, always focuses on disseminating information to ensure that people comply with legal regulations on forest management and protection.

Create firebreaks… to prevent forest fires.

Nam Phat is a disadvantaged village in Ban Bo commune, with 100% Mong ethnic minority population and an economy primarily based on agriculture. Since the introduction of payments for forest environmental services, the villagers' incomes have become more stable, and their awareness of forest protection has improved significantly.

Ms. Giang Thi Ghenh from Nam Phat village shared: “The commune government has been promoting forest protection, so we also have a responsibility to preserve and sustain the forest. A green forest provides us with water for daily life, and our corn and rice crops need irrigation to grow. Not to mention, the government also supports us financially for preserving and protecting the forest. Thanks to this, many households have been able to buy televisions, motorbikes, refrigerators… and their lives are more stable.”

Forestry officials guide local people in clearing undergrowth in the buffer zone of Hoang Lien National Park. Photo: Van Tam.

According to the villagers, since understanding the benefits of protecting and developing the forest, the practice of cutting down trees to clear land for farming has ceased.

Previously, protecting and preventing forest fires in the area surrounding the village was difficult due to the limited awareness of the local people. Villagers often lived in makeshift shelters, slept in fields, and hunted for honey using smoke, leading to forest fires. While the benefits from these activities were minimal, the damage to the forest was significant. However, since the establishment of a specialized forest protection team with over 40 members in Nam Phat village, this situation has ceased.

Before this dry season, the group discussed implementing fire prevention measures and disseminating information to guide the villagers on protecting and developing the forest. Immediately afterward, together with the forest rangers, the villagers went up the mountain to build firebreaks to prevent forest fires.

Mr. Phan A Nay, Secretary of the Party Branch of Nam Phat village, said: “Members of the task force regularly coordinate with forest rangers to disseminate laws on forest protection, guide the creation of firebreaks, and teach how to burn fields without causing forest fires. The village also requires households with fields near the forest to burn according to the prescribed time, and report to the forest protection team for proper inspection, thereby preventing forest fires.”

Raising awareness through communication.

Mr. Nguyen Van Trinh, a forest ranger from the Tam Duong Forest Ranger Station, said: “As a forest ranger assigned to Ban Bo commune, I regularly advise the local government on strengthening the Forest Fire Prevention and Control Command Board, developing forest fire prevention and control plans, consolidating specialized teams, and closely monitoring the area to disseminate fire prevention measures. I also coordinate patrols and inspections to prevent forest fires and forest violations.”

The commune's Party Committee and local government signed a commitment to protect the forest, disseminate laws, and provide guidance on safe practices when burning fields, strictly prohibiting burning during prolonged periods of hot weather. Since the beginning of the year, the commune has organized more than 50 sessions to disseminate the Forestry Law to 4,800 people. As a result, people's awareness has improved, and the forest is better protected.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ban Bo commune, said: "The commune has a large forest area and is a buffer zone of Hoang Lien National Park, so forest protection is a top priority. The government has strengthened the steering committee, assigned tasks, developed a forest fire prevention and control plan at the beginning of the dry season, and intensified patrols and control of people entering and leaving the area to raise awareness. Thanks to this, the commune has not experienced any forest fires for many years."

In addition, the commune continues to implement various solutions, focusing on disseminating legal information, strengthening 21 specialized forest protection teams with over 500 members, assigning tasks, and maintaining 24/7 duty during peak dry periods.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the government and the people, the Bản Bo forest is becoming greener, with its forest cover increasing. The forest not only regulates the climate and provides water but also opens up avenues for sustainable livelihood development through forest environmental services and forestry economics.

Ban Bo commune has over 4,113 hectares of forested land, of which 3,871 hectares are natural forest and 242 hectares are planted forest; the forest cover rate is over 40%.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/giu-rung-o-vung-dem-vuon-quoc-gia-hoang-lien-d784262.html