People are more determined to protect the "green lung"

Thu Lum commune people take care of and protect the forest

Mr. Ly Ly Che in Lo Ma village shared: In 2024, my family received 22 million VND in DVMTR payment. In addition to buying more essential household items, I bought a generator and a milling machine. This year, I discussed with my wife that when I receive the money, I will buy 2 more breeding cows to expand the scale of livestock farming towards commodities. The forest not only ensures a stable source of water for production, daily life, and fresh air, but now it also creates additional income for the villagers. I always encourage the villagers to actively protect the forest to enjoy sustainable benefits.
It is known that Lo Ma village has 35 households with nearly 180 people, 100% of whom are Ha Nhi ethnic people. The village is assigned to manage and protect more than 300 hectares of forest. In recent years, the local Party Committee, local authorities, local forest rangers, and border guards have propagated and mobilized people to implement measures to protect, prevent and fight forest fires; and burn fields properly. Along with that, instructions are given on how to use the money paid for forest environmental services reasonably to contribute to improving economic efficiency from livestock and crop farming. In coordination with the commune, the forest rangers organized the signing of commitments with households in forest management and protection; included in the general convention of the village regulations on administrative sanctions for violations of forestry laws. Established a specialized shock team to protect forests. Currently, people understand the procedures and commands for reporting forest fires and proactively participate in fire fighting. The village regularly coordinates with functional forces to organize patrols to protect forests, borders, and landmarks, so that border forests and border signs are always protected and not violated.
Currently, Thu Lum commune has 20,553 hectares of forest; the forest coverage rate is over 82.5%. In 2024 alone, on average, households in the area will receive 22 million VND in forest environmental services. This is a relatively large and important source of income for people in highland and border areas. This not only has a positive impact on people's awareness and sense of responsibility in forest management and protection, but also opens up a new direction for the commune's socio-economic development from the development of medicinal plants.
Talking to us, comrade Le Thanh Tam - Chairman of Thu Lum Commune People's Committee said: In 2025, Thu Lum Commune is estimated to receive 20 billion VND in payment for forest environmental services. This source of revenue has a positive impact on people's income and life. Therefore, the work of forest protection and development is identified by the Party Committee and the commune government as a key task. The 1st Congress of the Commune Party Committee, term 2025 - 2030, sets a target of striving to increase the forest coverage rate to over 84.29% by 2030, with average income per capita reaching over 42 million VND/year. To implement this, the commune has identified a breakthrough task: protecting and developing sustainable forests associated with developing medicinal plants under the forest canopy.
Currently, the Commune People's Committee has completed the Steering Committee for the sustainable forestry development target program; developed a plan for forest protection, fire prevention and fighting. Assigned civil servants to coordinate with forest rangers in charge of the area to strengthen the grassroots level to promote propaganda work, sign commitments to implement protection regulations associated with forest fire prevention and fighting. 17/17 villages established and maintained the operation of specialized forest protection teams with the participation of all households receiving forest service fees. Regularly organize patrols, control, assess the situation and be ready to mobilize people to participate in fire fighting according to the "4 on-site" motto (forces, logistics, means, on-site command).
The benefits of paying for forest services help people change their awareness and actions in implementing forest protection measures. This is a premise for the commune to be more confident in implementing the set goals and plans: sustainable development and becoming an average commune of the province.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/kinh-te/nguoi-dan-them-quyet-tam-bao-ve-la-phoi-xanh-1168413