Forest economy opens up development direction

In recent years, the government and people of Sang Moc highland commune have focused on protecting and developing forests, making afforestation a key livelihood, contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction and promoting local socio-economic development.

Sang Moc Commune authorities coordinate with functional forces to propagate the Forestry Law to forest owners.

Nearly 60km from the provincial center, Sang Moc is a highland commune, home to mainly ethnic minorities. Along the provincial road leading to the commune, endless green acacia and eucalyptus forests stretch one after another.

With a natural area of ​​more than 9,000 hectares, of which forestry land accounts for 90%, Sang Moc identifies agricultural and forestry development as the main direction in economic development.

Excitedly leading us to visit more than 6 hectares of forest hills that are ready for exploitation, Mr. Nong Van Nhuoc in Ban Chuong hamlet shared: My family used to be very poor. Since participating in the State's forest planting projects, I have boldly expanded the area, and now have 4 hectares of eucalyptus and 2 hectares of acacia. Thanks to the forest, my family has escaped poverty and has the conditions to raise and educate our children.

Through the propaganda of forest rangers and the government, people all understand that planting forests must go hand in hand with forest preservation and protection. “In forest planting, fire prevention and fighting are very important steps. After logging, we clear the land before the dry season, collect dry leaves and branches to rot, so that when burned, the fire will not spread,” said Mr. Nhuoc.

In Ban Chuong, many households have changed their lives thanks to the forest. Due to the small area of ​​agricultural land, people mainly develop production forests. The whole hamlet has nearly 300 hectares of production forest and more than 70 hectares of special-use forest. Income from the forest helps families build houses, buy machinery, and improve their lives. For them, the acacia and eucalyptus forests have become "savings", contributing to changing the face of the highlands.

Realizing the value of forests, the people of Ban Chuong pay attention not only to planting production forests but also to strictly protecting the area of ​​special-use forests and natural forests. Forest owners all signed a commitment to manage and protect forests; actively participated in training and knowledge improvement on forest fire prevention and fighting. Thanks to that, out of 120 households in the hamlet, there are now only 12 poor households and 5 near-poor households.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, Head of Ban Chuong Hamlet, said: Previously, people did not know how to handle the ground cover, when burned, the fire easily spread, causing economic damage. Now with guidance, people know how to clear, make firebreaks, and build fences to protect young forests. Forest rangers regularly come down to propagate and remind, so everyone complies well. The natural forest area is strictly protected, there is no more forest encroachment.

Mr. Nong Van Nhuoc was instructed by officers of Forest Protection Department No. 14 on how to handle vegetation after logging.

As a mountainous commune with many difficulties, fragmented terrain, and limited farming skills, Sang Moc has more than 87% of its population being ethnic minorities, whose livelihoods mainly depend on agriculture and forestry. Identifying forests as its strength, the commune government focuses on propaganda work, guiding people to plant forests according to planning, comply with technical processes and regulations on forest fire prevention and fighting; at the same time, strengthening the protection of special-use forests and natural forests.

Mr. Ha Van Dan, Vice Chairman of Sang Moc Commune People's Committee, informed: The Commune People's Committee closely coordinated with the forces, especially Forest Protection Department No. 14, Police, Military , to organize the signing of coordination regulations in the work of forest management, protection, prevention and fighting. After implementing the two-level government model, the commune has completed the Forest Fire Prevention and Fighting Steering Committee, issued directive documents and propaganda to each hamlet.

Thanks to that, people's awareness has been raised significantly. The commune is researching to attract investment programs and projects to develop forest economy to increase income and sustainably reduce poverty for people.

During a propaganda session of Forest Protection Department No. 14 in Sang Moc, we clearly felt the efforts of the authorities and people in preserving and developing the forest. Because the majority of people are ethnic minorities, language is a big barrier in propaganda. To overcome this, Forest Protection officers coordinate with prestigious people in the village to mobilize and communicate in the local language, helping people to easily understand and follow.

Mr. Phan Quoc Thu, acting Head of Forest Protection Department No. 14 of Thai Nguyen province, said: The unit closely follows the direction of the Provincial Forest Protection Department, issues many guiding documents, strengthens management, protection and prevention and fighting of forest fires. Thanks to regular propaganda, people have limited deforestation; know how to handle vegetation safely, do not burn indiscriminately but gather each area, make firebreaks, and report to the authorities before handling. Thanks to that, the number of forest fires in the dry season has decreased significantly.

Efforts in forestry economic development and forest protection are bringing about clear results in Sang Moc. Along with investment in electricity infrastructure, roads, schools, and stations, new houses are springing up more and more. Hundreds of hectares of productive forests are ready for harvest, bringing a value of hundreds of millions of VND per crop.

Forests not only provide a stable source of income but also retain water, prevent erosion, and protect the ecological environment. When people consider forests as a sustainable livelihood, the forests in Sang Moc are better protected, contributing to the development of a green economy and maintaining the local ecological environment.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202511/kinh-te-rung-mo-huong-phat-trien-faa255b/