Dao ethnic man grows bamboo for over 40 years to protect border land

Along the Ka Long River along the northern border in Quang Ninh, there are many sections covered with green bamboo. This is the result of the hard work of the army and people of Bac Son commune who planted and cared for the bamboo to protect the border many years ago, including a man of the Dao Thanh Y ethnic group named Dang Ngoc Phu.

Mr. Phu is 65 years old this year, currently the Head of the Front Work Committee of Pec Na village, Bac Son commune (Mong Cai city), a prestigious ethnic minority person, and also a person who has been planting bamboo along the border river for more than 40 years. Mr. Phu said that since he was in his twenties, he and the villagers planted bamboo along the riverbank. In Pec Na village, every house grows bamboo. Some have a few clumps, some have dozens of clumps. Those sturdy bamboo clumps are now as old as his children.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Phu introduced the model of growing bamboo shoots for significant income for people in Bac Son commune (Mong Cai city).

The reason why planting bamboo along the Ka Long River has received support from both the army and the people here is because more than anyone else, those who live and work directly on the border are aware of protecting sovereignty and border security. Mr. Phu and the villagers were encouraged by the soldiers of Luc Phu Border Post (now Bac Son Border Post) to plant bamboo. If they don't have money, they plant bamboo by themselves, and later, if they have the conditions, they will plant bamboo.

Mr. Phu said that it is difficult for any tree to have a strong root system like bamboo. Bamboo roots form very thick clusters that penetrate deep into the soil. Therefore, the soil is not eroded or eroded. When Mr. Phu was young, Pec Na village was still facing difficulties, hunger and poverty surrounded the villagers like a forest ghost. Bamboo trees are the saviors for the villagers. Bamboo gives the villagers shoots when rice is not enough to warm their stomachs. The villagers collect and sell the shoots to earn a few coins to buy a few kilos of rice. The villagers also cut down old bamboo trees to weave baskets, winnow, make shoulder poles and many other farming tools.

In the village now, no one cuts bamboo for weaving like before. Mr. Phu, like many people here, does not grow bamboo but instead grows reed and bamboo for bamboo shoots. Mr. Phu encourages his children to plant bamboo in any empty space in the garden. His children also receive a lot of support from the border guards in planting bamboo.

The launching ceremony of bamboo planting along the border in Phinh Ho village, Bac Son commune (Mong Cai) was organized by the Quang Ninh Provincial Border Guard Command in coordination with Mong Cai city on July 21, 2021. Source: bienphong.com.vn

Lieutenant Colonel Mai Van The, Political Commissar of Bac Son Border Guard Station, said: In recent years, especially the last 2 years, the unit has coordinated with the authorities to support border residents in developing the economy, culture and society, contributing to firmly protecting the sovereignty and security of the border. Specifically, the model of economic development of model gardens and planting bamboo on the border. Starting from 2021, inheriting and promoting the results achieved in many previous years, officers and soldiers of Bac Son Border Guard Station have supported people in planting bamboo, precious wood, and large trees on the banks of the border river, actively responding to the campaign to plant bamboo on the border of the province. Planting bamboo has helped people participate in protecting the sovereignty and security of the national border. This is a very meaningful work, contributing to promoting the historical tradition of our ancestors, building bamboo fences like steel fences and copper walls to protect the Fatherland.

Officers and soldiers of Po Hen Border Guard Station patrolling under the bamboo forest along the Ka Long border river. Source: qdnd.vn

Not only planting bamboo to protect the land, people like Mr. Phu also contribute to preserving the culture of the border area. Along with patrolling and protecting the border, over the years, Mr. Phu has always participated in protecting the cultural "front line", eliminating bad customs, eradicating backward customs and practices, and building a civilized lifestyle. With his experience, Mr. Phu has become a bridge, actively propagating and building a great national unity bloc to protect the strong border area. "It is the backward customs, especially the bad guys who distort customs and religions that make our people's lives more difficult. Our villagers have gradually understood and resolutely eliminated those backward things" - Mr. Dang Ngoc Phu confided.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-dan-toc-dao-hon-40-nam-trong-tre-giu-dat-bien-cuong-3236684.html