Add green to the border forests

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Located in the far west of Thanh Hoa province, Muong Lat district is considered the "fence" of the Fatherland. With a large area of ​​natural forest, the work of protecting and developing forests here plays a particularly important role. Not only contributing to protecting border security and preserving the ecological environment, forests also become a source of livelihood and a support for ethnic minorities here.

Forest protection patrols in Muong Lat district are regularly deployed by authorities.

With the goal of reducing the risk of natural disasters and creating sustainable livelihoods for people, in recent years, Muong Lat district has synchronously implemented policies on payment for forest environmental services, forest allocation, protection and development programs. In order to effectively exploit the potential of forestry land and increase income, the district also encourages people to develop medicinal plants under the forest canopy.

Mr. Le Ngoc Hiep, Head of the Forest Protection Department of Muong Lat district, said: "In order for people to truly accompany the government in forest protection and development, support policies are key factors. Among them, it is necessary to mention the policy of payment for forest environmental services and the greenhouse gas emission reduction agreement (ERPA). With the ERPA program, people understand that protecting and maintaining good forests will gain economic benefits through reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 2023 is the first year that people in many communes in the district have benefited from the ERPA program."

In addition to benefiting from the forest, forest development work is also focused on by Muong Lat district, by proactively coordinating with provincial departments and branches to survey and select many tree varieties suitable for local climate and soil conditions to expand forests in the area. Each year, the district plants over 300 hectares of new forest, with trees of high economic value such as tung, cinnamon, bamboo, and lat hoa... In 2024, the district mobilized more than 200 million VND from socialized sources to support 20 households in Nhi Son and Pu Nhi communes to plant more than 22 hectares of tung. The family of Mr. Thao Van Cua, Keo Te village, Nhi Son commune is one of the households participating in tung planting, saying: "My family is planting 4 hectares of forest from previous forest planting projects, now with additional policies to support tung planting, my family has registered for nearly 3 hectares more. Being provided with seeds, technical support, and care, my family is very secure".

Mr. Ngan Van Lon, Chairman of Trung Ly Commune People's Committee, commented: "The commune has 11/15 villages of Mong people, mainly migrants from the northern mountainous provinces. Previously, the situation of people destroying forests for farming was complicated. However, in recent years, thanks to good propaganda work and benefits from the forest, people have raised their responsibility to protect the forest, and their lives have improved day by day."

According to statistics, Muong Lat district currently has over 75,000 hectares of forestry land, including special-use forests, protective forests and production forests. The above area is assigned to many entities for management, protection and development. In particular, forest protection contracting models for residential communities have shown clear effectiveness. The whole district currently has over 14,000 hectares of forest managed by the village community. In most villages, forest protection teams have been established with the active participation of organizations. On average, 1 to 2 patrols are organized each month. In the dry season, they are assigned to guard the fire, prevent people from burning indiscriminately, and are ready to respond when there is a forest fire.

In addition to the local forces, the district has focused on promoting inter-sectoral coordination in forest protection. Up to now, the district has established 88 grassroots propaganda teams, with 368 members. Since the beginning of 2025, the district's functional departments and units have organized 74 integrated propaganda sessions in the villages; organized 5 mobile propaganda campaigns, mobilizing over 3,000 households to sign a commitment to protect forests and prevent and fight forest fires; organized 170 forest security inspections, with the participation of more than 600 people, mainly concentrated in border areas and key areas. Thanks to good patrolling, forest protection control and propaganda right from the grassroots, illegal logging and deforestation in Muong Lat district has been basically prevented, and forest security has been maintained.

Article and photos: Dinh Giang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/them-xanh-nhung-canh-rung-bien-gioi-250514.htm