In the month of March, when the majestic mountains and the winding Dakrong River are shrouded in thick fog, Ms. Ho Thi Men and her teammates quietly venture deep into the old-growth forest, beginning their patrol journey.
Crossing streams and trekking through forests has long been considered a task reserved only for strong, able-bodied men, but in the forest protection team of Ta Lao village, Ta Long commune, Dakrong district ( Quang Tri province ), there are three women who also face countless difficulties every day to protect the vast Truong Son mountain range.
The arduous task of preserving the forest.
In 2019, Ms. Men, along with several other villagers, registered to participate in forest conservation work. When the forest protection team was established, she was trusted by the members and elected as the team leader. The team was assigned the task of protecting 1,150 hectares of forest in the Dakrong Nature Reserve.
Ms. Ho Thi Men has been dedicated to protecting the Truong Son forest for the past 5 years.
"Born and raised in the Truong Son mountain range, contributing to forest protection is a great joy. Although I know that women will face more difficulties, I still don't hesitate," Men confided.
To prepare for a multi-day patrol in the forest, she and her colleagues packed food, supplies, and essential items such as medicine to guard against any unforeseen circumstances they might encounter in the treacherous jungle.
"We have to be well-prepared. There are times when I go to work in the morning feeling perfectly healthy, but then I get a fever when I'm in the forest at night. At times like these, getting back outside takes half a day, or even a whole day, so we need to have a plan to respond promptly," said Ms. Men.
Ms. Men and Ms. The cleared the area and cut down the vines that were encroaching on the forest trees.
Patrols last from 1-2 days, sometimes up to 5-6 days. Each day, the patrol team has to walk tens of kilometers across various terrains, eating and sleeping in the deep forest, overcoming countless difficulties from the terrain and weather to lurking dangers.
"Living in the mountains and forests, it's inevitable that we'll sometimes slip and get injured, and there are risks from venomous animals. But in return, every time we manage to remove animal traps or prevent acts of deforestation, the team members are very happy and feel that the work we do is meaningful," shared Ms. Men.
Forest patrols last one or more days.
Along with Ms. Men, Ms. Ho Thi The, a member with over 7 years of experience in forest conservation, also shoulders the responsibility of preventing deforestation, hunting animals, and coordinating the handling of violations.
"This job not only requires physical stamina, but also patience and extensive experience in exploring deep forests. Those who do this job must always be cautious with every step, because even a moment of inattention can lead to getting lost," said Ms. The.
May the forest trees forever shelter the lives of all creatures.
According to Ms. Men, despite the difficulties of forest protection work, women also have their own advantages. During the awareness campaign, it's easier to persuade people, and criminals are less likely to resort to violence when caught in the forest.
The Ta Lao village forest protection team includes three women.
"The people here are ethnic minorities, so disseminating information faces many difficulties. But my colleagues and I in the group find it easier each time we go out to spread the message because we are both locals and women, so they listen, and the message becomes more effective," said Ms. Men.
For Ms. Men, Ms. The, and the members of the Ta Lao village forest protection team, difficulties and hardships have never made them give up the work they have been dedicated to for many years. They still strive every day to fulfill their duties, because the forest is not only a source of livelihood but also a part of the soul of the Van Kieu ethnic people.
"After traveling so much, we've become familiar with almost every trail and every area in the forest. If there's any unusual sign, we can recognize it immediately. With a sense of responsibility and the support of the staff at the Dakrong Nature Reserve, I always encourage my colleagues to do their job well," shared Ms. Men.
The Ta Lao village forest protection team is on duty protecting the forest.
The forest is like a close and cherished friend, sheltering generations of the Van Kieu people in Dakrong district. Therefore, protecting the forest is not only a duty for them but also a way to preserve their own lives.
According to the Quang Tri Provincial Special Forest Management Board, in the Dakrong Nature Reserve, the unit has contracted forest management to 16 communities and household groups to carry out forest protection, fire prevention, and biodiversity conservation.
Community forest protection teams are doing a great job, especially the female members. In addition to patrolling, they are also actively disseminating information about forest protection policies and guidelines to the people in the villages.
Mr. Ho Viet Thang, Deputy Director of the Quang Tri Provincial Special-Use Forest Management Board, said that in recent times, with the support of the Special-Use Forest Management Board, the Dakrong Nature Reserve Forest Ranger Station, and the contracted forces protecting the special-use forests, they have made important contributions to the protection and conservation of biodiversity.
The Ta Lao pine forest protection team contributes to keeping hectares of the Truong Son forest lush and green.
"People participating in forest management contracts not only protect the forest but also benefit from the forest environmental service payment policy, creating sustainable livelihoods for the community. The development of special-use forests not only contributes to protecting biodiversity but also helps improve the lives of local people," Mr. Thang said.
According to Mr. Thang, the Ta Lao village forest protection team includes many women who are very active, responsible, and always at the forefront of all activities.
"These women are not only responsible for patrolling, but they are also respected figures in the community, actively promoting and encouraging people to participate in protecting not only the special-use forest but also other forest areas in the village. This is clear evidence of women's contributions to forest protection and biodiversity conservation," Mr. Thang said.
The Dakrong Nature Reserve covers an area of over 37,000 hectares, of which over 32 hectares are natural forest, including nearly 5.7 hectares of rich forest, over 12,000 hectares of medium forest, and 14,000 hectares of poor forest...
This is a conservation area with a diverse and rich flora, boasting over 1,576 species of vascular plants. Among these, there are 182 species endemic to Vietnam, 57 species endemic to the Central region; and 288 rare and endangered species listed in the Vietnam Red Book.
The area is home to 95 species of mammals, 201 species of birds, 32 species of reptiles, and 17 species of amphibians. The reserve contains 345 species of terrestrial vertebrates, including 62 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book and 52 species listed in the World Red Book.
Source: https://plo.vn/nhung-son-nu-giu-rung-truong-son-post840444.html
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