Sustainable and efficient forest development

By January 2026, the Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board (BQLRPH) was assigned by the Provincial People's Committee to manage and utilize over 15,245.26 hectares of forest and forestry land (including 5,699.57 hectares of natural forest requiring strict protection). To effectively and sustainably protect and develop forests across a wide area (9 communes), including many forest areas bordering other localities, the board has implemented a comprehensive set of solutions. These include directing subordinate forest protection stations to work closely with local communities to support people in preserving forests and developing the forestry economy.

Large timber forests are planted in Nhu Thanh commune.

I had the opportunity to visit the Ấp Cũ Forest Protection Station in Xuân Thái commune (under the Như Thanh Forest Management Board). The station is responsible for managing and protecting 2,483.6 hectares of forest, including 1,428.5 hectares of natural forest and 1,428.5 hectares of planted forest in Xuân Thái commune, with 613 households contracted to plant and protect the forest.

“The forest area we are assigned to protect is vast, making access for monitoring and inspection difficult, while the station has a small number of staff. The station proactively deploys personnel to regularly inspect and prevent violations of laws on forest management, protection, and development; and monitors the exploitation and transportation of forest products by individuals and contracted households in the area in accordance with regulations. During harsh weather conditions that increase the risk of forest fires, the station assigns personnel to be on duty 24/7 to detect and handle incidents promptly. Station staff closely monitor the situation on the ground, disseminating information and encouraging forest owners to overcome difficulties, invest in expanding the area of ​​new forest planting and replanting after harvesting using tissue-cultured trees, thereby improving the productivity and quality of planted forests,” shared Mr. La Phuong Minh, head of the Ap Cu Forest Protection Station.

Xuan Thai commune has 7,278.19 hectares of natural forest and 2,344.8 hectares of planted forest that are safely protected, growing and developing well, with no forest fires occurring. Many households that have been contracted to manage forest land in the commune have built integrated agricultural and forestry farms and family farms, yielding quite high economic efficiency; creating local jobs and improving the income of dozens of local workers.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Director of the Nhu Thanh Forest Protection Management Board, “To achieve the goal of protecting the assigned forest area, the Nhu Thanh Forest Protection Management Board has proactively developed plans and created land planning maps linked to the planning of three types of forests. We have established coordination regulations with the Party committees, governments of communes and towns, and relevant agencies in implementing Directive No. 13-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over forest management, protection, and development. The Board always focuses on coordinating with local authorities in forest areas to determine the boundaries of management, and organizes the placement of temporary markers at critical locations to clearly demarcate areas. We have organized the contracting of some forest and forestry land areas near people to local households, with 2,385 local households receiving contracts for the entire forest land area according to Government Decree No. 168/2016/ND-CP dated December 27, 2016. Forest management and protection stations are located in villages.” "Providing technical guidance and organizing households to plant new production forests; promoting investment to expand the area of ​​new forest planting and replanting after harvesting using tissue-cultured trees; thereby improving the productivity and quality of planted forests."

During the period 2021-2025, the Nhu Thanh Forest Protection Management Board provided technical guidance, supplied seedlings, and organized forest planting and replanting for households contracted to manage forest production land, resulting in the reforestation of over 1,477.4 hectares of forest, including 220.8 hectares of hybrid acacia. In 2025, the board organized the planting of 150 hectares of protective forest and 350 hectares of production forest after harvesting by people and workers contracted to manage forest land, including 110 hectares of large timber forest. The Nhu Thanh Forest Protection Management Board has been granted Sustainable Forest Management (FSC) certification for 3,584.34 hectares, increasing the value of timber from planted forests and making them eligible for export to international markets.

In 2025, the management board provided support for road construction materials, repaired lighting systems, and renovated village cultural houses for 18 villages under its management (50 million VND/village). 1,200 households contracted to manage forest protection in the area received state funding for forest protection totaling 2.41 billion VND. Ten training courses were organized to disseminate the Party and State's policies and laws on forest protection and development, and forest fire prevention and control directly relevant to the people; technical guidance and services were provided to households contracted to manage forest land in the commune for caring for, protecting, and replanting forests; and households were encouraged to plant new production forests using intensive methods such as tissue-cultured acacia and acacia cuttings. Thanks to active forest planting and protection, people contracted to manage forest protection in the project area of ​​Nhu Thanh Forest Management Board have gained more local jobs, increased income from labor and forest products, contributing to poverty reduction and improved living standards. For example, Mr. Nguyen Huu Trong, Mr. Pham Van Quy, Mr. Do Van Duyet, Mr. Pham Van Thuat, Ms. Pham Thi Dan (Xuan Thai commune), Mr. Lam Ngoc Hai (Thanh Ky commune)... have developed integrated farms, planted production forests, protected forests, and raised livestock and poultry under the forest canopy, achieving quite high economic efficiency.

In the area managed by the Nhu Thanh Forest Protection Management Board, degraded natural forests have been restored and are developing stably; they have effectively served their protective functions, protected biodiversity, protected the environment, created water sources for irrigation works, protected soil, mitigated floods, provided habitats for animals, and preserved the genetic resources of forest plant species. Forest security in the area is maintained. The forest cover under the management of the Nhu Thanh Forest Protection Management Board reaches 92.27%. Planted forests are cared for according to proper technical procedures, growing and developing well, bringing economic benefits to the people.

Text and photos: Nguyen Quan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phat-trien-rung-ben-vung-hieu-qua-274918.htm