Maintain the green color of Serepok forest

Despite numerous difficulties, particularly in clearing land, contracting forest protection, and the risk of re-encroachment, the entire staff of the unit has strived to successfully complete their assigned tasks, contributing to the protection of the forest ecosystem in the northern part of Lam Dong province.

Strengthening forest protection – Being proactive in all situations

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

In the Đưng K'Nớ area, forest patrols and inspections are regularly maintained by the units in coordination with the contracted households, at least twice a week.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Man, Head of the Serepok Protective Forest Management Board, said: “The unit currently manages a large area of forest land with a sparse but complex population, and many border areas where violations are likely to occur, especially during the dry season, requiring forest protection forces to always be ready to respond.”

The forest fire prevention and control work for the 2024-2025 dry season was implemented seriously and fully according to the approved plan. Items such as renewing firebreaks, repainting regulations boards, clearing flammable materials, etc., were all completed at 100% of the plan. The Board also mobilized forest fire prevention and control forces to be on duty 24/7, including holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), ensuring a timely response to any forest fire situation that may occur.

Simultaneously, forest patrols and inspections are maintained regularly, at least twice a week, with close coordination between the Forest Management Board, the Forest Protection Department, and local authorities. As a result, many violations are detected and prevented in a timely manner.

Forest patrols are carried out regularly and continuously by the units, thereby minimizing violations of the Forestry Law in the area.

From the end of 2024 to October 2025, the entire committee detected 6 cases of deforestation, resulting in damage to 8,079 m²; no cases of illegal logging occurred. All cases were documented and transferred to the relevant authorities for processing. In addition, 9 cases of land violations covering an area of 2,666 m² were also detected and promptly resolved, preventing the formation of hotspots.

Simultaneously, the Committee coordinated with local authorities to clear over 29.1 hectares of illegally planted trees on forest land. All cleared areas were marked with warning signs, and the sites were strictly managed to prevent re-encroachment by residents.

With many synchronized forest conservation solutions, the Serepok Protective Forest Management Board always maintains a proactive approach in all situations. However, the Head of the Serepok Protective Forest Management Board also shared: “Forest protection work has never been without difficulties, but the unit always identifies this as a key task, requiring perseverance and a synchronized approach. The Board has strengthened on-site management, coordinated with local authorities, and raised people's awareness of forest protection.”

Sustainable forest development – Overcoming challenges

In addition to focusing on protection, the Serepok Protective Forest Management Board is also promoting forest development, aiming for sustainable management of forest resources linked to the livelihoods of the local people. By October 2025, the Board had completed the dossier for reforestation of 46.87 hectares, submitted it to the appraisal agency, and is expected to implement it in 2026.

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

The work of caring for planted forests 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 a good survival rate and growth.

Currently, the Board is contracting out the protection of over 29,299 hectares of forest to 737 households and 2 collectives: the police forces of Dam Rong 2 and Dam Rong 4 communes. This forest protection contracting not only strengthens community participation but also creates jobs and increases income for the people. However, according to Mr. Nguyen Trong Man, the effectiveness of the contracting is not yet truly high because the majority of households are ethnic minorities whose lives are still difficult and heavily dependent on slash-and-burn farming land.

Units are stepping up the application of drones (flycams) to monitor changes in forest land within their managed areas.

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We regularly organize awareness campaigns and coordinate with communes and villages to improve the understanding of people who have contracted to manage the forest. 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 to their lives.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Man, Head of the Serepok Protective Forest Management Board

Another difficulty is that a portion of the forest land under the management of the Da Nhim Protective Forest Management Board (formerly Dung K'No commune) is scheduled to be transferred to the Serepok Management Board, but this transfer has not yet been completed, hindering the development of forest and forestry land management plans. The Board requests the Department of Agriculture and Environment to promptly direct the handover and clearly mark the boundaries to facilitate the implementation of tasks.

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

Furthermore, the encroachment and re-encroachment on forest land remains a complex issue, especially in areas far from the city center and bordering other areas. Despite the committee's efforts to compile records, erect fences, and place warning signs, some households still deliberately violate the regulations. The removal of illegally planted trees often encounters resistance, hindering the work of law enforcement.

Furthermore, extreme weather conditions and rising prices of agricultural products and farmland have led to an increase in deforestation for agricultural expansion during the dry season. To address this, the Committee continues to review forest-forest land boundaries, coordinating with the People's Committees of the communes to approve and clearly mark the boundaries, thereby minimizing conflicts between local people and forest protection forces.

The failure of the Da Nhim Protective Forest Management Board (formerly Dung K'No commune) to hand over forest land to the Serepok Management Board has created many obstacles in the process of developing forest and forest land management plans.

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

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We recognize that forest management and protection is not just a task, but a long-term responsibility to nature and future generations. Preserving forests today means preserving livelihoods, ensuring security, and protecting the environment for the future.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Man affirmed

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