Following in the footsteps of the forest patrol

As dawn broke and a light mist enveloped the undulating mountain ranges of the special-use forest, officials and forest rangers from the Forest Ranger Station of Region XVI and the Xuan Nha Special-Use Forest were busy preparing their backpacks, binoculars, maps, and specialized equipment... to patrol the Xuan Nha Special-Use Forest, bordering Laos.

Báo Sơn La•03/09/2025

Forest rangers, along with border guards and militia, are on a forest patrol.

Today's forest patrol team consists of more than 20 people, including Mr. Hoang Trong Thang, Deputy Director of the Xuan Nha Special Forest Management Board, forest rangers, officers and soldiers of the Chieng Son Border Guard Post, and members of forest protection teams from Kho Hong and Suoi Quanh villages in Chieng Son commune. A forest patrol by the team usually lasts a whole day, or even several days, depending on the terrain or when they receive reports from the people.

We followed the trail into the heart of the forest, the sky overcast as if about to rain, the mountain wind howling along with the cold mist. The deeper we went into the heart of the forest, the more majestic and pristine Xuan Nha forest became. Ancient trees towered dozens of meters high, their trunks so large that it would take two or three people to encircle them. But interspersed among those dark green canopies were still the "old wounds" left by illegal loggers. Mr. Hoang Trong Thang, Deputy Director of the Xuan Nha Special Forest Management Board, shared: "The forest has 10.7 km bordering Laos and 15.6 km bordering Thanh Hoa province. In the past, the forest was secretly exploited by illegal loggers, but now it is much more peaceful. However, even a moment of carelessness could lead to further damage, so we have to patrol the forest regularly."

The patrol team inspects and monitors the forest.

Patrolling the Xuan Nha Special Forest Area is not easy, especially during the rainy season. Forest rangers there frequently face many dangers, such as venomous snakes, leeches, sudden flash floods, and even resistance from illegal loggers. Without the timely support of the Border Guard and the local police, the consequences could be unpredictable. For example, on March 4, 2024, upon receiving a tip from the Sa Lai village forest protection team in Tan Xuan commune, Van Ho district (formerly), about the discovery of illegal logging in the special forest area of Sa Lai village, bordering Un village, Muong Ly commune, Muong Lat district (formerly), Thanh Hoa province, the Xuan Nha Special Forest Ranger Station (formerly) quickly coordinated with other forces to conduct an investigation and identified two individuals from Thanh Hoa who were illegally spreading religious doctrines and inciting the villagers to destroy the forest. During questioning, the individuals were uncooperative and even threatened the forest rangers. The case has been initiated by the Xuan Nha Special Forest Management Unit and transferred to the police for further investigation and handling.

The Xuan Nha Special-Use Forest covers approximately 18,173 hectares, located in the two communes of Xuan Nha and Chieng Son. This includes a strictly protected zone of over 10,185 hectares, an ecological restoration zone of over 7,981 hectares, and an administrative service zone of 6.5 hectares. The forest holds a particularly important position with high conservation value, possessing a diverse ecosystem and many rare and endangered plant and animal species, comprising 1,161 species belonging to 499 genera, 162 families, and 5 divisions of vascular higher plants. Among these, 41 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book; 29 species have regional and global conservation value (according to the IUCN Red List); and 43 species are under management according to Government Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP...

The patrol team cleared the undergrowth.

Since the beginning of the year, the Forest Protection Department of Region XVI and the Xuan Nha Special-Use Forest have detected and handled 1 case of illegal deforestation, encroaching on 95 m² of special-use forest, imposing an administrative fine of 5 million VND; 3 cases of illegal storage of forest products, temporarily seizing over 6.5 m³ of sawn timber; and 1 case of violation of regulations on forest protection, collecting 1.5 million VND for the state budget.

Participating in the Forest Patrol Team, the head of Kho Hong village, Phang A Di, said: "The village has 165 households and 903 inhabitants. Previously, people often went into the forest to exploit timber and cultivate fields. Thanks to regular awareness campaigns by forest rangers, the villagers have raised their awareness and are united in protecting the forest. As one of the villages participating in the protection of the special-use forest through a contract, the village receives approximately 200 million VND annually for forest environmental services, providing funds to pave internal village roads with concrete, build sports fields, a cultural center, and many other public facilities..."

Forces involved in planting green teak trees.

Besides patrolling and protecting the forest, this time the forest patrol team also brought 20 green lim trees to plant in the vacant lots. Hoang Trong Thang added: "We previously experimented with planting dổi trees in this area, but without success. This time, we are continuing our experiment with planting green lim trees to green the vacant lots."

Just as we finished planting the green lim trees, it suddenly started raining, providing the necessary water for the trees to thrive. At the end of our patrol, we returned to the Xuan Nha Special Forest Management Board while the rain still covered the Pha Luong mountain range. Seeing the sun-tanned faces, stained with rainwater and mud, of the members of the forest patrol team, we understood the difficulties and hardships faced by the Forest Rangers in their duty to protect the forests on the border. They are striving to contribute to protecting the green lungs of our homeland.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/theo-nhung-buoc-chan-tuan-rung-mCASOv9Hg.html