The effectiveness of forest environmental services in Xim Vang commune

Xim Vang Commune currently manages more than 13,000 hectares of forest, of which more than 7,400 hectares are protective forests and more than 5,300 hectares are production forests, with a coverage of 56.8%. Each year, nearly 12 billion VND is paid from the Forest Protection and Development Fund, which has brought stable income and motivated people to preserve, care for and develop forests sustainably.

Phinh Ho village road is concreted from forest environmental service payment source.

From the source of forest environmental service payments, the villages have agreed to use a part of the funds to pay households and groups of households directly managing the forest; the rest is invested in welfare works and new rural construction. Typically, Phinh Ho village manages more than 1,200 hectares of forest, and is paid over 1 billion VND each year for forest environmental services, contributing to improving people's lives and having funds to pour concrete on internal village roads. Mr. Mua A Lenh, Party Cell Secretary and Village Chief, said: From 2023 to now, the village has allocated nearly 400 million VND from forest environmental service payments to pour concrete on 480 m of road into the production area, 1.5 m wide, helping people to travel and transport agricultural products more conveniently. People are excited and conscious of preserving and protecting the forest.

More than 30 km from the commune center, Song Chong village has 66 households, more than 350 people, all of whom are Mong ethnic people. Previously, due to lack of arable land, people cleared forests for farming. Since receiving the forest environmental service payment policy, realizing the value of forest protection, people have changed their perception and no longer cut down forests. The forest area of ​​the village increased from nearly 800 hectares in 2023 to more than 985 hectares in 2025; the payment source helps households invest in livestock farming, buy farming tools, and improve their lives.

People of Xim Vang commune signed a commitment to implement forest management, protection and development, and fire prevention and control.

Mr. Thao A Nhe, Party Cell Secretary, Head of Song Chong village, shared: In the past, people only knew how to farm, with unstable income. Now each household has a share of the forest, has money to cover their living expenses, and is also trained in cardamom and cinnamon growing techniques... so everyone actively protects the forest. The forest is greener, life is better.

Along with the revenue from forest services, Xim Vang commune promotes the development of the forest economy . The whole commune currently has nearly 700 hectares of cardamom, yielding more than 500 tons/year, with an estimated value of over 7 billion VND. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bac, Chairman of Xim Vang Commune People's Committee, informed: The commune is coordinating with forest rangers and the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund to deploy digital technology applications in forest management and monitoring using remote sensing images and GIS systems, ensuring correct, sufficient and transparent payments. In addition to forest protection, the locality aims to develop eco-tourism and experiential tourism in areas with beautiful landscapes such as Phu Sa Phin peak. Some households in Xim Vang, Hang Cho and Song Chong villages have initially done community tourism, combining the exploitation of landscapes and Mong ethnic culture to develop the economy associated with the forest.

Phinh Ho villagers patrol and inspect the assigned forest.

The policy of payment for forest environmental services has contributed to changing the face of the Xim Vang highlands. Forests are better protected, people have more stable income, infrastructure is invested, and the ecological environment is preserved. More importantly, community awareness of the value of forests is increasingly raised.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/hieu-qua-dich-vu-moi-truong-rung-o-xa-xim-vang-QDKHfcRvR.html