Protecting forests on Tet holiday
Yok Don National Park covers an area of over 115,000 hectares, located in Buon Don district, Dak Lak province. This is the largest and only dry dipterocarp forest reserve in Vietnam, considered the "green lung" of the Central Highlands.
This dipterocarp forest has a diverse and rich ecosystem, playing an important role in regulating the climate, preventing soil erosion and protecting water resources for the entire Central Highlands region.
During Tet, the forest is easily the target of illegal activities such as hunting, logging...
Mr. Pham Tuan Linh, Director of Yok Don National Park, said that to preserve the dipterocarp forest, during Tet, the forest rangers and other members of the unit have increased protection day and night.
During Tet, many people get to reunite with their families, but forest rangers still work tirelessly to ensure the safety of this unique, precious dipterocarp forest.
"Forest protectors like us believe that every day we care for and protect the forest is a day we contribute to preserving precious natural resources for future generations," said Mr. Pham Tuan Linh.
According to Mr. Linh, during Tet, forest protection work is even more difficult. The vast forest areas, along with the complex terrain, make patrolling quite difficult.
However, checkpoints and rangers are still working hard to prevent violations.
Celebrate Tet in the forest
In contrast to the family reunion atmosphere in many families, at the moment of the old year turning into the new year, most of the forest rangers at Yok Don National Park still have to stay at their posts in the forest to prevent illegal loggers.
On the night of the Lunar New Year 2025, officers and leaders of Yok Don National Park were present at the checkpoints to patrol and protect the large forest.
With a forest area of up to hundreds of thousands of hectares, the task of protecting the forest during Tet becomes even more difficult and important.
According to Mr. Pham Tuan Linh, Director of Yok Don National Park, during Tet, especially on New Year's Eve, illegal loggers often take advantage of laxity to encroach on the forest.
However, with experience and professional acumen, the forest rangers here always remain vigilant.
"Even at night, with only a flashlight in hand, we still stick to key areas to prevent forest encroachment," Mr. Linh added.
During Tet, the number of guards at Yok Don National Park’s forest protection stations and posts will be increased. Officers and staff will continue to patrol throughout the holiday, ensuring the safety of the forest.
Forest rangers, although not reunited with their families, are always aware of the importance of their work. Their joy is seeing the forest still green and unharmed.
"Welcoming Tet in the middle of the forest, without relatives around, sometimes makes us feel a bit sad, but this is the job we have chosen. Seeing the green forest is the greatest reward, helping us overcome all difficulties" - Mr. Bui Thanh Tuyen, working at Forest Protection Management Station No. 1 confided.
During the Lunar New Year 2025, to ensure forest protection and security and order, Yok Don National Park has arranged 5 rotating teams, including the Park's leaders, departments and the Forest Ranger Office.
17 Ranger Stations (with 13 Outposts under the Stations) are divided into 2 shifts, ensuring 70% of the staff are on duty with the Station leaders in charge of performing the tasks.
The entire force of the unit always clearly identifies the core tasks, upholds the sense of responsibility and carries out forest protection work during Tet with the motto "enjoying Spring without forgetting the task".
