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| Forestry officials from Region VII, along with local residents, patrol and assess the current state of the forest. |
While patrolling Minh Thuong village, Bac Quang commune, with the self-governing forest protection team, we clearly felt the close bond between people and the forest. The natural forest, covering more than 128 hectares, remains lush and almost completely intact over the years. Remarkably, for decades, this forest has never been encroached upon.
Mr. Hoang Viet Trinh, a member of the forest protection team, said that forest patrols have become a regular practice: "Since the policy of paying for forest environmental services was implemented, people have a better understanding of the value of the forest. Protecting the forest is also protecting their livelihoods, so everyone is more conscious and participates in patrolling and protecting it."
This awareness has spread not only among the core group but also to every household in the village. Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, Head of Minh Thuong village, affirmed that 100% of households have signed a commitment not to cut down trees or trade in forest products illegally. "When the forest provides a stable income, people become even more responsible. Protecting the forest is now both a duty and a practical right for each family," Mr. Tan shared.
The experience in Minh Thuong shows that when people benefit directly, they become the most active and sustainable force in protecting the forest. This is also the approach proving effective in the Bac Quang area – where the Forest Protection Unit of Region 7 manages nearly 73,000 hectares of natural land.
According to Ms. Pham Thi Thom, Deputy Head of the Forest Protection Department Area 7 in Bac Quang, the policy of paying for forest environmental services has created a clear impetus in forest protection work: "The timely payment of funds helps maintain the effective operation of self-governing groups. People not only actively patrol the forest but also form the core force in forest fire prevention and control at the grassroots level."
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| Residents of Minh Thuong village, Bac Quang commune, are clearing bushes to prevent forest fires. |
In 2025, the total budget for forest environmental service payments in the area managed by the Bac Quang Forest Ranger Station Area 7 will reach approximately 13 billion VND, allocated to organizations, households, communities, and local authorities. From this resource, the entire area will maintain approximately 250 self-managed forest protection groups operating regularly, contributing to the effective control of forest encroachment risks at the grassroots level.
Not only the people and forest rangers, but also businesses demonstrate responsibility in protecting forest resources. The Song Lo 4 Hydropower Plant, a project that extracts water from the upstream of the Song Lo River with a capacity of 24 MW, has consistently fulfilled its obligations to pay for forest environmental services for many years.
Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, the factory director, stated: "Fulfilling the payment obligation is not only a legal requirement but also a responsibility of the enterprise in protecting headwater forests, protecting water resources, and aiming for sustainable development."
Through the synchronized implementation of various solutions, Tuyen Quang has gradually enhanced the effectiveness of the community's role in forest protection and development. The allocation of forest management to households and communities, especially for natural forests, protection forests, and special-use forests, has created significant changes in both awareness and action.
Currently, Tuyen Quang has over 1 million hectares of forest land, of which over 901,000 hectares are covered with trees, with a forest cover rate of over 62%, ranking among the highest in the country. These figures not only reflect the efforts of all levels and sectors but also affirm the effectiveness of socializing forest protection and development.
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| The Song Lo 4 hydropower plant has been fulfilling its forest environmental service payment obligations properly. |
Often referred to as the "green gold" of the Northern Midlands and mountainous region, Tuyen Quang's forests not only provide economic value but also play a crucial role in environmental protection, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation. By 2026, the province aims to plant 13,700 hectares of new forest, further improving forest quality and coverage.
Given the large and widely distributed forest area and the limited number of forest rangers, the task of protecting forests remains challenging. However, with the coordinated efforts of the government, relevant agencies, businesses, and especially the people, forest protection and development in Tuyen Quang is becoming increasingly in-depth and sustainable.
In practice, when policies are implemented and become a vital benefit to the people, forest protection is no longer solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies but has become a conscious effort of the community. From the preserved forests in Minh Thuong to effective models throughout the province, it can be affirmed that payment for forest environmental services is a crucial "lever" for Tuyen Quang to maintain and develop its "green gold." Forest conservation today is not only about protecting the environment but also about building a foundation for sustainable livelihoods and a long-term future. When people truly live off and are connected to the forest, that greenness will continue to be preserved and spread sustainably over time.
Tien Chien
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/kinh-te/nong-lam-nghiep/202603/nhan-len-mau-xanh-hy-vong-d043c9b/
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