Silently protecting Tan Trao forest

Tan Trao currently preserves many ancient trees hundreds of years old.

Love the forest like a relative

Data from the Forest Protection Department of Region I shows that Tan Trao special-use forest is more than 4,000 hectares wide, with 734 plant species belonging to 456 genera and 143 families, a very large number for a forest with a not-so-large area. Of these, 26 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book, including rare species such as Tau mat, Giao co lam, Sen mat. These species have special ecological and medicinal value, contributing to the uniqueness of the ecosystem of the Northern region. The fauna is equally diverse, with 33 species of animals, including some rare and ecologically valuable species recorded such as: Palm civet, Palm civet, Wild cat, Hairy-eared flying squirrel, Small slow loris... The presence of these species shows that the forest still maintains its natural structure with little impact.

In Tan Trao forest, there are hunchbacked incense trees, ironwood trees, and green lim trees that reach dozens of meters high. In the green forests, occasionally appear purple phach trees or native lim xet trees with yellow flowers, creating a shimmering, romantic forest. Under the forest canopy is a huge treasure trove of medicinal herbs such as Gynostemma pentaphyllum, natural ginseng, and cau ginseng... along with animals and birds that, although not endemic, are quite rich and diverse.

Having been involved in forest protection for nearly 20 years, Mr. Hoang Van Le, Tan Lap village, said: forest protection is not only a job but also a sentiment. In Tan Lap, every month, three or two people will take turns patrolling the assigned forest. When patrolling, the group will follow the route, from their own household's area to the neighboring household's. In one day, they can pass through the area of three households. Each household here manages nearly 30 hectares, not only their own village but also the three villages of Tan Lap, Lung Bung, and Mo Che, all of which belong to special-use forests, the rest are production forests. Protecting the forest for the people of the former war zone communes is their love, responsibility, and obligation, so they all consider it an obvious thing to do. Anyone who violates will be condemned by the community, and then the law will handle it strictly.

Forest patrols take place regularly in Tan Trao.

Creating livelihoods for people

After the merger, Tan Trao commune added Kim Quan and Trung Yen communes. The area is large, the forest area is large and there are many historical relics, so forest protection work still faces many difficulties. As a person who has spent more than half of his life attached to the forest, Mr. Nguyen Cong Phuong, Deputy Head of Forest Protection Department Region I, said that due to the large area, long forests, and many high mountain areas, it is not easy to move around for inspection and patrol, especially during the rainy season or when the risk of forest fires is high. Faced with these difficulties, closely following the national digital transformation policy, Forest Protection Department Region I has increased the application of information technology in forest management. Specialized software to monitor forest changes, digital maps, and forest resource databases are put into regular use. GIS technology and GPS positioning devices help forest rangers determine boundaries, monitor the current status, and organize patrols more effectively.

Visiting the forest with reporters, Mr. Nguyen Cong Phuong affirmed: "These programs have helped improve people's lives and also made them more responsible for protecting the forest." For many households, protecting the forest is not only a task but also a stable source of income from forest protection contracts, from collecting non-timber forest products, or participating in forest fire prevention and fighting teams. When people have direct benefits from the forest, they will voluntarily protect the forest better than anyone else.

Right in Tan Lap village, people are enjoying the State's forest protection contract policy, thanks to which people have more income and more responsibility for the forest. Propaganda work is integrated into village meetings, great solidarity days, women's activities... The forest protection team regularly reminds people not to bring fire into the forest, especially during the dry season, March, and the months between crops. Propaganda is also carried out via Zalo, Facebook of the village group, in coordination with the Forest Protection Department of Region I to preserve rare trees and preserve the "heritage" of the forest.

Everyone is aware that protecting the forest means protecting life. Only when the forest is green can the relics retain their value. It is also a way to educate the younger generation about revolutionary traditions and show gratitude to the previous generations who sacrificed for national independence. When the forest is kept green, tourists will see beautiful, natural landscapes. Streams do not dry up, and the forest retains water. For example, the tour to the top of Hong Mountain in two days and one night, the forest is very beautiful, the scenery is majestic like in the movies, tourists really like it. Mr. Phuong emphasized.

Note: Le Duy

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/phong-su/202512/tham-lang-giu-rung-tan-trao-9c17ac2/