Preserving the green color of Serepok forest

Despite many difficulties, especially in the work of clearing, contracting forest protection and the risk of re-encroachment, the collective of cadres and civil servants of the entire unit still strives to complete the assigned tasks well, contributing to protecting the forest ecosystem in the North of Lam Dong province.

Strengthening forest protection - Proactive in all situations

According to Decision No. 895/QD-TTg dated August 24, 2024, the Serepok Protection Forest Management Board is currently assigned to manage more than 43,769 hectares of forest and forestry land, including 18,392 hectares of protection forest and 25,376 hectares of production forest. This area spans 69 sub-zones, bordering the Forest Management Boards of Lam Ha, Da Nhim, Lam Vien and Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park.

In the Dung K'No area, forest patrol and inspection work is maintained regularly by units in coordination with contracted households, at least twice a week.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Man, Head of the Serepok Forest Protection Management Board, said: "The unit is currently managing a large forest area with a sparse but complex population. Many border areas are prone to violations, especially during the dry season, requiring the forest protection force to always be ready to respond."

The 2024-2025 dry season forest fire prevention and control work was seriously and fully implemented by the Board according to the approved plan. Items such as renewing firestops, repainting and repairing regulation boards, clearing flammable materials, etc. were all completed 100% of the plan. The Board also mobilized fire prevention and control forces to be on duty 24/7, including holidays and Tet, to ensure timely response to any possible forest fire situation.

At the same time, forest patrols and inspections are maintained regularly, at least twice a week, with close coordination between the Board, Forest Protection Department and local authorities. Thanks to that, many violations are detected and prevented in time.

Forest patrol work is carried out regularly and continuously by units, thereby minimizing violations of the Forestry Law in the area.

From the end of 2024 to October 2025, the entire Board discovered 6 cases of deforestation, causing damage to 8,079 m²; no illegal logging occurred. All cases were recorded and transferred to the competent authorities for handling. In addition, 9 land violations with an area of 2,666 m² were also discovered and promptly cleared, preventing the formation of hot spots.

At the same time, the Board coordinated with local authorities to clear more than 29.1 hectares of illegally planted trees on forestry land. The cleared areas were all marked with warning signs and strictly managed to prevent people from re-encroaching.

With many synchronous forest protection solutions above, the Serepok Forest Protection Management Board always maintains the initiative in all situations. However, the Head of the Serepok Forest Protection Management Board also shared: “Forest protection work has never been without difficulties, but the collective unit always identifies this as a key task, requiring perseverance and synchronous solutions. The Board has strengthened field management, coordinated with local authorities, and raised people's awareness in forest protection.”

Sustainable Forest Development – Overcoming Difficulties

Not only focusing on protection, the Serepok Forest Protection Management Board also promotes forest development, aiming at the goal of sustainable forest resource management associated with people's livelihoods. By October 2025, the Board had completed the dossier for reforestation of 46.87 hectares, submitted to the appraisal agency, and is expected to be implemented in 2026.

Officers and staff of Dung K'No Forest Protection Management Station maintain good forest patrols.

The forest care work is carried out seriously, ensuring quality. The total area cared for in 2025 will reach 111.47 hectares, including forests planted in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The care is carried out according to the technical cycle, ensuring good survival and growth rates.

Currently, the Board is contracting the protection of more than 29,299 hectares of forest to 737 households and 2 collectives, the Dam Rong 2 and Dam Rong 4 Commune Police. Forest protection contracting not only increases community participation, but also creates jobs and increases income for people. However, according to Mr. Nguyen Trong Man, the efficiency of the contracting is still not really high because most of the households are ethnic minorities, their lives are still difficult, and they depend heavily on slash-and-burn land.

Units promote the application of flycam flying devices to monitor changes in forest land in managed forest areas.

“
We regularly organize propaganda, mobilize, and coordinate with communes and villages to raise awareness of the people who receive the contract. The goal is not only to protect the forest in the short term but also to help people understand the long-term value of the forest for their lives.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Man, Head of Serepok Forest Protection Management Board

Another difficulty is that a part of the forest area belonging to the forestry land of the Da Nhim Protection Forest Management Board (formerly Dung K'No commune) was planned to be handed over to the Serepok Board for management but has not yet been transferred, causing obstacles to the work of making a plan for forest and forestry land management. The Board recommends that the Department of Agriculture and Environment soon direct the handover and clearly mark the boundaries to facilitate the implementation of the task.

The current major difficulty is that a part of the forest area belonging to the forestry land of the Da Nhim Protective Forest Management Board (formerly Dung K'No commune) has not been handed over to the Serepok Board for management.

Along with that, the situation of encroachment and re-encroachment of forest land is still complicated, especially in areas far from the center and border areas. Although the Board has made records, fenced and posted warning signs, some households still deliberately violate. The clearance of illegal crops often encounters resistance, causing difficulties for the task force.

In addition, extreme weather and high prices of agricultural products and land have led to an increase in forest clearance and slash-and-burn farming in the dry season. To overcome this, the Board continues to review forest-forest land boundaries, coordinate with the People's Committees of communes to approve and clearly mark boundaries, and limit conflicts between people and forest protection forces.

The fact that the Da Nhim Protective Forest Management Board (formerly Dung K'No commune) has not yet handed over forestry land to the Serepok Board has caused many obstacles in the work of making plans for forest and forestry land management.

In the coming time, the Serepok Protection Forest Management Board will continue to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination, apply technology in monitoring forest resources, develop a plan for forest fire prevention and control in the dry season of 2025-2026, and at the same time focus on developing replacement forests, creating sustainable livelihoods for local people.

“
We consider forest management and protection not only a task, but also a long-term responsibility to nature and future generations. Preserving forests today means preserving life, livelihoods and protecting the environment for the future.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Man affirmed

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/giu-vung-mau-xanh-rung-serepok-397605.html