On Tet holiday, when many families gather around a reunion meal, in the primeval forests along the Truong Son range, forest rangers and forest protection officials in Quang Tri still silently patrol and are on duty.
Mr. Le Quang Hien - Head of the Forest Protection Department of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve said that the unit has thoroughly grasped to officials not to let the situation of deforestation, trapping animals, and illegal transportation of forest products occur during Tet. "After more than a month of implementing the peak forest protection during Tet, in general, no violations of forest law occurred in the area," Mr. Hien informed.
At the grassroots level, community forest protection teams also maintain forest patrols during Tet. Mr. Ho Van Thuan - Head of the Forest Protection Team of Chenh Venh village (Huong Phung commune) said that the team has 6 people, in charge of more than 300ha of community forest. During Tet, 2 people are arranged to take turns on duty along roads and at forest border posts every day.
Some people celebrate Tet, but some people take advantage. When people gather, we are still on duty in the forest. There is a bit of sadness, but this is a task to ensure long-term benefits for the community, so we are all determined," Mr. Thuan shared.
The Nam Quang Tri Special-Use Forest Management Board manages more than 66,000ha of forest, most of which is natural forest in the Truong Son range, where forest and stream ecosystems intersect, which is the habitat of thousands of rare and precious animal and plant species.
Mr. Le Van Trong - official of the Communication and Livelihood Development Department of the Southern Quang Tri Special-Use Forest Management Board was reinforced at the Huong Lap and Sa Mu pass forest protection posts during the Binh Ngo Tet. He said that the unit has identified the risk of violations before, during and after Tet, and closely directed the work of forest protection throughout Tet.
Three forces including forest rangers and forest protection of the Community Forest Management and Protection Board closely coordinate, taking turns on duty. In Huong Lap commune alone, the force is arranged to protect about 8,000ha of forest belonging to the conservation area. Two posts at the Cup village intersection are established with each post of 4 people, including forest rangers, officials of the conservation and community forest protection area, rotating patrols, ready to mobilize when situations arise.
Before and during Tet, we still stick to the area, considering it like celebrating Tet in the forest," Mr. Trong said.
Mr. Truong Quang Trung - Director of the Southern Quang Tri Special-Use Forest Management Board said that keeping the forest is not only aimed at protecting resources but also preserving water sources, living environment, and livelihoods for people in buffer zones. Forces maintain periodic and unscheduled inspections; coordinate with police, military, and local authorities to propagate and mobilize people not to violate forestry laws. Amidst the sound of fireworks and New Year greetings, in the border forests, there are still people quietly patrolling, recording the current situation, and setting up posts in the great forest. That persistence contributes to preserving the original green color for Truong Son, a priceless asset of today and the future.
