Tet in the forest
As Tet approaches, Mr. Tran Anh Duc - Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Department of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve Management Board (Quang Tri province) is still in the area. According to the plan, Mr. Duc was assigned to Huong Lap commune (Huong Hoa district) to coordinate the protection of 8,000 hectares of forest in the reserve before, during and after Tet.
To protect the forest, two forest protection posts will be set up at two intersections in Cup village (Huong Lap commune). Each post has four members, including forest guards, rangers and officers from the conservation area. Everyone will take turns patrolling, manning the posts, and be ready to move when there is relevant information.
“Before Tet, I was on duty here, and on the first and second days of Tet, I stayed in the area, so it was like celebrating Tet in the forest,” said Tran Anh Duc.
At Dakrong Nature Reserve, on this occasion of Tet, Mr. Ho Van Tinh was also sent by the reserve to A Bung commune (Dakrong district, Quang Tri province) to coordinate in protecting 5,000 hectares of forest. This area is a hot spot for deforestation, so each checkpoint is reinforced with 5 members. According to the schedule, on the day before Tet, Mr. Tinh will stay with the members of the Km72 forest protection checkpoint.
During Tet, everyone wants to be with their family, but Mr. Tinh determined that the assigned task comes first, so there is "nothing to be sad about".
"The people working in the conservation area have to work alternately, so they can go home for Tet for a few days, but the people who are contracted to protect the forest have to work 24/7," said Ho Van Tinh.
No forest encroachment
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Tri province, the province has two conservation areas, namely Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve and Dakrong Nature Reserve. As the Lunar New Year approaches, deforestation, encroachment and illegal transportation of forest products are at risk of increasing, so forest protection work is being stepped up.
In Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, there are 21,437.8 hectares of natural forest with diverse ecosystems. On this occasion, the unit identified 4 key areas at risk of deforestation and forest encroachment.
According to Mr. Ha Van Hoan - Director of the Management Board of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, a detailed forest protection plan has been developed. The rangers and forest guards here will coordinate to organize patrols and set up checkpoints at hot spots.
Mr. Truong Quang Trung - Director of Dakrong Nature Reserve Management Board is determined not to let deforestation and forest encroachment happen during Tet. To do this, the reserve will coordinate with Dakrong Nature Reserve Forest Protection Department to carry out a peak period of fighting and preventing forest encroachment.
“In particular, the authorities also organize propaganda for local people about legal regulations related to forest protection, in order to limit violations. This is one of the sustainable solutions to help reduce pressure on forest patrol and protection work,” said Mr. Truong Quang Trung.
