The vitality of U Minh Thuong forest

Along the winding concrete road through the subdivisions of U Minh Thuong National Park, the May sunlight, filtered through layers of lush green melaleuca leaves, becomes gentle, casting a golden hue like ripe honey. The breeze from the canals carries cool, moist air, dispelling the heat along the way.

Hoa Mai Lake in U Minh Thuong National Park.

Few would have imagined that, just 24 years ago, this very place was literally a "dead zone" due to a devastating wildfire.

Memories of the 2002 wildfires

The history of Kien Giang (now An Giang ) bears an indelible scar: the 2002 U Minh Thuong National Park fire. Leading us through the melaleuca forests, Mr. Nguyen Van Dien, Head of the Forest Management, Protection and Development Department of the National Park, spoke with a somber tone: “This entire lush green area was once the epicenter of a historic forest fire. When the raging flames passed, only a dark, black expanse remained, with the pungent smell of burnt ash rising, spreading across thousands of hectares.”

A living witness to that tragic moment is Colonel, Labor Hero Banh Van Dom (commonly known as Muoi Dom), former Director of the National Park. At 97 years old, his hair is as white as clouds, but the memories of March 24, 2002, remain vivid in his mind as if it happened yesterday. “At that time, the conservation area had only been upgraded to a National Park by the Government for less than two months. The joy of the officers, soldiers, and local people was not yet complete when the fire broke out in Sub-area 138,” Mr. Muoi Dom recalled, his voice choked with emotion.

The battle against the wildfire that year lasted nearly 20 days and nights. Approximately 4,000 people, from forest rangers, soldiers, and police officers to local residents, poured their sweat and tears into the thick smoke and dust. But human strength was insignificant compared to the fury of nature. A prolonged drought, the dry undergrowth, especially the thick layer of peat, caused the fire to burn not only on the surface but also smolder underground. As soon as one fire was extinguished, another would flare up. “When the last fire was put out, statistics showed that over 3,200 hectares of forest had been damaged, with 2,200 hectares completely wiped out. Seeing the devastation, the gray earth, the fallen trees, I couldn’t hold back my tears for days,” Mr. Mười Đởm confided.

Living not far from the entrance gate of U Minh Thuong National Park, Mr. Lu Van Not, despite being 75 years old, exclaimed: "It was terrifying, I've never witnessed a fire this big." At that time, Mr. Not was involved in logistics, mobilizing people in the buffer zone to cook meals and supply water to the soldiers and police fighting the fire.

Following the fire, U Minh Thuong National Park faced a daunting challenge that forestry scientists at the time considered impossible to overcome. The peat layer, considered the heart and nutrient reservoir of the melaleuca forest, was burned and severely damaged. Water resources changed drastically, the soil became acidic and saline, and the ecosystem was almost completely destroyed. Many domestic and foreign forestry experts feared it would take at least half a century for the forest to recover, or that it might never return to its former state.

Resurrection from the Dead Land

With the motto "as long as there are people, there is forest," Mr. Mười Đởm and the National Park staff immediately set about regenerating the forest from the ashes. Unique initiatives, unprecedented in Vietnamese forestry history, were applied, one of which was the "reed clearing and melaleuca seed planting" method. Normally, people plant forests by planting seedlings, but on the burnt land of U Minh Thượng, this traditional method is costly, time-consuming, and has a very low survival rate due to the heavily acidic soil. National Park staff brought in machinery to clear the wild reed beds into large plots, loosen the soil, and then sow melaleuca seeds directly. Their efforts paid off, and the first tiny green dots soon sprouted vigorously.

Along with replanting, the National Park redesigned its hydrological map, resolutely preserving the core area of ​​over 8,000 hectares to maximize protection of the remaining peatland. A scientifically constructed system of dikes and dams regulated the hydrological regime: retaining water during the dry season to maintain moisture for the vegetation; and simultaneously flushing out acidity during the rainy season to promote plant growth. The well-managed freshwater flow has been crucial to the recovery of the melaleuca forest.

The past 24 years have been a miraculous cycle of growth and regeneration. Leading us along the well-maintained patrol route, Mr. Dien proudly affirmed: “We are determined to restore and protect the forest, as if protecting our own lungs.” After the fire, the National Park naturally regenerated, planting an additional 100 hectares of melaleuca trees. On over 280 hectares of degraded peatland, the unit planted six native tree species, which are now 5-7 meters tall, with straight trunks reaching towards the sun, forming sturdy green walls. The area of ​​forest restored after the fire has reached nearly 2,530 hectares. Alongside melaleuca, other native tree species such as Barringtonia acutangula, Barringtonia vulgaris, Terminalia catappa, and Terminalia chebula have also flourished.

Deputy Director of U Minh Thuong National Park, Tran Van Thang, said that despite achieving what seemed like an impossible feat, the forest rangers remain deeply concerned. The wounds of 2002 still leave lasting effects. In some areas, the thick peat layer was completely destroyed by fire, and climate change is becoming increasingly extreme, altering rainfall patterns, raising temperatures, and causing prolonged droughts. "Just a moment of carelessness in management, and the fire could flare up at any time, wiping out the efforts of more than 20 years," Mr. Thang worried.

The forest's recovery has recreated a safe haven for many wildlife species. The latest statistics show that up to 57 endangered and rare animal and plant species are now living here, choosing this area as a safe haven. At the 4-hectare Ecotourism, Environmental Education, and Wildlife Rescue and Development Center located on the edge of the forest, staff are daily acting as "caretakers" for these diverse species.

While cleaning the enclosures for dozens of soft-shelled turtles, Danh Ngọt shared: “The animals we care for are often exhausted, injured, or weak due to the long transportation process. If there is a delay or improper care, the individuals may die, and the risk of not being able to reproduce the species is ever-present.” Thanks to the skillful hands and dedication of “caretakers” like Ngọt, the center has saved hundreds of rare animal species and reproduced millions of fish fry over the years.

In the U Minh Thuong forest, from the ashes of the past, a new life has risen powerfully, thanks to the hands of people who spare no effort or sweat for the forest.

LE QUOC TRINH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/suc-song-rung-u-minh-thuong-post965994.html