Practicing martial arts to protect the old-growth forest.

Faced with the growing challenges from forest resource exploitation and the brazenness of violators, the specialized Forest Rangers and Forest Protection Force of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve are striving to improve their physical fitness, courage, and martial arts skills to protect the precious old-growth forests of Ma Da, Hieu Liem, and Vinh An – the green lungs of the Southeast region of Vietnam.

Practicing martial arts in the middle of the jungle.

In the octagonal building located within the grounds of the Conservation Area headquarters (Ma Da hamlet, Tri An commune, Dong Nai province), the atmosphere these days is more vibrant than usual. Loud shouts, powerful footwork, and the rhythmic sounds of punches and kicks resound regularly. This place is becoming a martial arts training ground for 30 trainees, who are forest rangers and dedicated forest protectors of the conservation area.

The rangers and forest protectors in the nature reserve practice martial arts.

The training course was directly instructed by Senior Martial Arts Master Tong Phuoc Hien, Head of the Hong Mi Dao Nhon Ma Thanh Hien school (Tam Hiep ward, Bien Hoa city). Under his guidance, the trainees were introduced to the basic techniques of Boxing and Kickboxing – martial arts with high practical combat effectiveness, suitable for responding to dangerous situations while on duty in the deep jungle.

“During the first training session, many of the team members were still unfamiliar with the process, their movements were stiff and not yet flexible. But everyone was enthusiastic and eager to train, not afraid of sweat or rough treatment. After each training session, their spirits grew stronger, and they became more confident when patrolling in the forest,” shared forest ranger Ha Chi Luc, Cay Gui Forest Ranger Station.

For those who frequently face danger, martial arts skills are a "soft weapon" that helps them protect themselves and their colleagues. Chà A Trá, a dedicated forest ranger, said: "Martial arts helps me feel more confident and know how to respond appropriately when encountering aggressive violators or unexpected attacks." This confidence becomes even more necessary given the numerous cases of forest rangers being assaulted or attacked while on duty.

In 2023, the incident involving two forest rangers from Forest Ranger Station No. 1 being attacked, tied up, and beaten by a group of 11 people while patrolling Tri An Lake caused public outrage. Prior to that, in April 2020, at Cu Dinh Forest Ranger Station, a group of people wielding knives stormed in, threatening and injuring forest rangers on duty.

These incidents clearly demonstrate the level of danger and pressure that forest rangers face every day. “There are times when we are just a few people deep in the forest, far from populated areas, with difficult communication. If we encounter aggressive individuals and lack self-defense skills, danger can strike at any time,” Lực added.

Outnumbered, the task is daunting.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hao, Director of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, the reserve currently has 231 officials, employees, and workers responsible for managing over 100,000 hectares of forest and water. This is the largest area of ​​special-use forest in the Southeast region, encompassing many rugged areas with complex terrain, stretching across several localities in Dong Nai province.

Protecting forests, wildlife, and aquatic resources in Tri An Lake is becoming increasingly difficult due to the sophisticated and aggressive tactics employed by violators, who are ready to resist law enforcement. This requires forest rangers and forest protectors to possess not only strong political convictions and legal knowledge but also excellent physical fitness, unwavering spirit, and proficient martial arts skills to protect themselves and effectively handle real-life situations.

Mr. Do Cao Khoa, Vice President of the Dong Nai Provincial Boxing & Kickboxing Federation – who connected the Conservation Area with senior martial arts masters to train forest rangers in martial arts – said: “Currently, most forest rangers have not received martial arts training, their staff is small, and their equipment is limited. Meanwhile, they often have to work in deep forests, large lakes, and remote areas, so when faced with dangerous situations, they mostly have to respond on their own. Therefore, training forest rangers and specialized forest protection forces in martial arts is extremely necessary.”

Mr. Khoa also suggested that forest owners should pay more attention to in-depth martial arts training, maintaining a chivalrous spirit and regular practice within their forces. “The nature reserve should soon establish a Forest Ranger Martial Arts Club, inviting reputable coaches and martial arts masters to provide systematic instruction. Outstanding students could be selected to participate in local martial arts tournaments, both for training and to spread the spirit of chivalry,” Mr. Khoa proposed.

The forests of Ma Da, Hieu Liem, and Vinh An are not only natural resources but also historical memories, preserving a rare ecosystem of the Southeast region. Amidst this, forest rangers silently patrol the forests day after day, facing danger to protect every inch of forest and every stream. Their martial arts training not only strengthens their health and resilience but also demonstrates the discipline and determination of these "green warriors" in the vast wilderness, contributing to the preservation of peace in these forests!

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/ren-luyen-vo-thuat-de-bao-ve-rung-gia-i786362/