The forest of the Hmong people of Ta Xua

Forests are the source of livelihood for the people.

On a late autumn morning, a thick fog blanketed the mountains and forests of Ta Xua, Ban Cong commune, Tram Tau district ( Yen Bai province ), as if slicing them into pieces, waking even the animals from their late slumber. The birds chirped melodiously in the forest named after President Ho Chi Minh, awakening the mountains and forests from the early morning mist.

The forest is the source of life and livelihood for the Hmong people.

The village head of Ta Xua, Phang A Pha, shared with us with a radiant smile: “The Mong people of Ta Xua are grateful to the Party and to Uncle Ho, so they cherish the forest named after him as if it were the soul and heart of the people in the village. In this forest, despite many dry seasons and natural disasters like storms and floods, there are still many large trees nearly a hundred years old, and some even over a decade old, proving the determination of the Mong people of Ta Xua to protect their land, their forest, and the socialist system.”

Mr. Pha excitedly added: “Every year, the villagers receive the full forest environmental fee. This funding has helped many families in the village have a stable income to develop their economy , and it is also an incentive for people to protect the forest. In Ta Xua, the area for which forest environmental fees are paid is nearly 1,300 hectares. Each year, the villagers receive nearly 1 billion VND in forest environmental fees, which is a very large sum for the Mong people in the village.”

According to Mr. Phang's account, we returned to Ta Xua village along a well-maintained, clean concrete road. Along both sides of the road leading to the famous mossy forest, hundreds of species of wildflowers bloom in vibrant colors, attracting tourists from near and far. Since the district invested in developing backpacking and adventure tourism , Ta Xua has attracted nearly 70,000 visitors annually. The villagers are delighted and even more determined to protect the natural values ​​of their village.”

Mr. Phang A Xay, a household receiving 17,500,000 VND per year for forest environmental services, said: “Preserving the forest brings many benefits, not only for protection but also for receiving payments for forest protection and environmental fees. With this money, I have funds to invest in specialized cultivation of upland sticky rice. The Lau La sticky rice variety is fragrant and sticky, but requires significant investment. Therefore, each year I invest in planting about 30 bags of rice, then sell it to the district town and make sticky rice cakes to sell to tourists for 10,000-15,000 VND each. My family's life has changed completely. I have money saved for my children's education.”

Just like the family of Mr. Phang A Xay, the Mong people of Ban Cong commune have all benefited greatly from the forest. Each year, the people in the commune receive a total of over 4 billion VND in forest environmental fees.

Thanks to the forest, people's lives have improved, and many households have escaped poverty sustainably.

Mr. Giàng A Trư – Chairman of the People's Committee of Bản Công commune shared: “Previously, Bản Công was always a commune facing many difficulties in economic development because the area planted with grain crops was among the lowest in the district. But by taking advantage of the forest, especially from the money paid for forest protection and forest environmental fees annually, people have had a stable income. Many households have learned to turn that money into sustainable investment in planting specialty crops such as sticky rice, black chicken, taro... From there, they process them into regional specialty dishes that attract tourists, the material and spiritual lives of the people have been improved, and many households have escaped poverty.”

Similar to Ban Cong commune, the timely and proper payment of forest environmental fees has helped many households in Xa Ho commune generate significant income, contributing to a stable life. For example, the family of Mr. Giang A Cau in Sang Pao village, Xa Ho commune, receives nearly 22 million VND per year for 30 hectares of forest land. Mr. Cau's family has invested in raising goats and native black chickens. As Ta Chi Nhu mountain peak became an attractive tourist destination, his family has a stable supply for homestays along the mountain road. Now, Mr. Cau has become a young millionaire in Sang Pao village, Xa Ho commune, a prime example of local economic development.

Giàng A Câu shared: “If we only relied on selling corn and rice, we would have to starve ourselves for two years to save that amount of money. Fortunately, thanks to the government's policy of paying forest environmental fees, our family's life has changed.”

The forest is protected.

Xà Hồ commune has a total area of ​​3,781.40 hectares for which forest environmental fees are paid, and in 2022 the commune received over 2 billion VND. Mr. Giàng A Sáy – Chairman of the People's Committee of Xà Hồ commune, said: “Thanks to timely payments, the campaign to encourage people to participate in forest management, protection, and fire prevention has achieved many encouraging results. Forest protection teams have been established in all 7 villages. New forest planting is always completed ahead of schedule every year.”

The forests in Ta Xua still retain their pristine, wild beauty.

Currently, the total forest area managed and protected under contract by the Tram Tau District Forest Management Board is 37,706.72 ha/37,706.72 ha, reaching 100% of the plan.

Every year, the unit has seriously implemented the programs and plans that have been set out. It has focused on implementing tasks and solutions according to the Action Program of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee; and the plan of the District People's Committee on forest protection and development in Tram Tau district.

Simultaneously, commitments on forest fire prevention and control were signed with contract holders and households contracted to protect forests; close coordination with the Forest Ranger Station and local authorities focused on strongly, decisively, and synchronously implementing measures and solutions for forest management, protection, development, and fire prevention and control, with a focused and resolute spirit. Significant results have been achieved in forest management, protection, and development, with forests being generally well managed and protected.

The district's forest protection management board organized the signing of forest protection contracts in accordance with government regulations, with 55 contracts and 6,103 households receiving forest protection contracts; organized acceptance testing and completed additional payment procedures as instructed. In 2022 alone, over 22 billion VND was paid for forest environmental services; the corresponding amount was paid to the contractors.

The benefits of forest conservation have helped the ethnic minority people in Tram Tau district to love their land and forests even more, thus ensuring that the forests remain green for a long time.

Mr. Dao Cong Trinh, Director of the Tram Tau District Forest Protection Management Board, stated: “To ensure transparency and proper disbursement of funds to the people, the unit makes payments through bank accounts to the accounts of individuals representing the village communities. We assign staff and contract workers within the unit to publicly post the list of beneficiaries, the area of ​​forest providing forest environmental services, the area eligible for payment of forest environmental service fees, and the amount paid at the village cultural centers in the communes of Tram Tau district. Thanks to this, the payment of forest environmental fees has greatly facilitated the unit's efforts in raising awareness among the people about participating in forest management and protection.”

The benefits of forest conservation have helped the ethnic minority communities in Tram Tau district to love their land and forests even more, thus keeping the forests green forever. Today, the forests of Tram Tau have become a tourist area with captivating natural beauty, attracting visitors from both within and outside the country. The forests of Tram Tau have become a source of pride and have truly helped the ethnic minority communities here improve their lives and escape poverty sustainably.

Source: https://dttg.baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/rung-cua-nguoi-mong-ta-xua-365522.html