Lim forest in the heart of the city

Few people expect that, just a few kilometers from Cun slope, near the National Highway 6 bypass, amidst the hustle and bustle of Thong Nhat ward, there exists a hundred-year-old lim forest. That lim forest stands tall and proud, like a “green lung” in the heart of the city, both having ecological value and being a priceless asset to the people and the community.

According to the elders, no one remembers exactly when the ironwood forest appeared, they only know that when they were young, the forest was already green. Through many generations, hundreds of green ironwood trees 25-30 meters high, with a circumference that cannot be hugged, still stand firm, their roots intertwined tightly into the ground, providing shade, contributing to creating endless green space.

Many ancient ironwood trees have a circumference of several meters.

Visiting the lim forest in the area of ​​​​group 4, Thong Nhat ward (formerly Bai Yen hamlet, Dan Chu commune), tourists cannot help but be surprised. Between the two irrigation lakes Na Sung and Na Them, the forest is divided into two areas with an area of ​​​​more than 10 hectares.

Every few meters there is an ancient ironwood tree standing tall.

Every few meters, there was an ancient ironwood tree reaching high, its lush foliage covering the sky. The August midday sun poured down, the light penetrating the thick layer of leaves, creating shimmering streaks on the grass, making the scene even more magical.

Many types of mistletoe cling to tree trunks.

Lim tree like a pillar supporting the sky

What is special is that the ecosystem here is still quite intact. Doves, red-crested birds, bees, snakes, and even small animals still come here to live. Wild orchids clinging to the ironwood tree trunks suddenly bloom, making the scene even more charming.

Lim forests are creating water sources for irrigation lakes.

Mr. Bui Van Cu, a civil servant of Thong Nhat Ward, shared: “Perhaps this is the only lim forest that still exists in the middle of an urban area. For the people, the forest is not only a treasure but also an important source of water. Thanks to the lim forest, Na Sung and Na Them lakes are full of water all year round, ensuring a stable source of irrigation and agricultural production.”

Lim forest next to Highway 6 bypass, not far from Thong Nhat Ward People's Committee headquarters

According to local people, the ironwood forest has its own beauty in each season. In spring, the young green leaves are like a carpet; in summer, the thick green canopy provides shade; in autumn, the fallen yellow leaves fill the path, creating a rare poetic scene; in winter, the ironwood forest is silent and majestic like pillars supporting the sky.

Tourists have also begun to come here, not only to sightsee and breathe fresh air, but also to feel the peace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. For the community, the ironwood forest is a spiritual asset, attached to many generations, like a part of the soul of the land.

The precious thing is that for many years, the ironwood forest has been almost untouched. The people consider the forest as the “treasure of the village”, no one dares to cut it down, and there is even a belief that anyone who encroaches on the forest will encounter bad luck. Along with spiritual factors, the strict management of forest rangers and local authorities has helped to keep the ironwood forest intact.

Presently, the fallen lim seeds have sprouted into dense young trees. Surrounding the lim forest are areas of protective forest and production forest, forming a solid green belt. Many rare bird species have returned to live, bringing visitors clear sounds every morning. Looking down from the highest peak of the lim forest, the entire urban space along the Da River appears in sight: rows of streets, stilt houses looming under the green canopy, mixed with the cool breeze blowing from the forest. It is a harmonious picture between nature and urban, between tradition and modernity.

The ironwood forest in Thong Nhat ward not only has ecological, protective and tourist values ​​but also has profound cultural and spiritual significance. It is a living testament to the harmony between humans and nature, between the city and the great forest. In the context of rapid urbanization, the preservation and promotion of the value of ironwood forests is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the pride and awareness of each citizen. Because ironwood forests are not only "green assets" today, but also a precious heritage left for future generations.

Le Chung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/rung-lim-trong-long-pho-thi-239300.htm