For generations, the Thai ethnic people in Tan Hiep village, Thanh Hoa commune (Nhu Xuan) have been attached to the forest. The forest provides them with bamboo shoots, medicinal plants and clean water for their daily lives. Therefore, protecting the forest is not only to protect resources, but also to preserve the “breath” of the village, a green source of life for future generations.
Silent attachment
Following the introduction of the Forest Protection Department of Nhu Xuan district, we went to Tan Hiep village to meet Mr. Luong Hong Tien - a veteran in protecting the forests of his homeland. Over 72 years old, Mr. Tien's health has weakened significantly compared to a few years ago. However, when asked about forest protection, he was still sharp, speaking as if touching on memories that had been stored in his heart for a long time.
At the beginning of the conversation, he told us about the days when he was attached to the old forest as a part of his love and life. Growing up in the forest since he was a child, he still remembers the times when he followed his parents to collect firewood and pick bamboo shoots. When hungry, he saw his father catching crabs and fish by the stream to grill, and picking up fragrant ripe forest fruits for him to eat. Therefore, the awareness of protecting the forest has been ingrained in him, as well as in the people of Tan Hiep village, since childhood.
When the State began implementing the policy of forest protection contracts, Mr. Tien remained devoted to the old forests that had nurtured his childhood. He remembers that when he was assigned to manage and protect more than 40 hectares of natural forest in the area bordering Nghe An province, many people said he was a "crazy" guy because he was assigned to the most difficult place. But for him, it was different: "I just think, protecting the forest is out of love and responsibility, there is no need to be picky."
Every month, Mr. Tien goes to the forest two or three times, each time for 2 to 3 days. During the bamboo shoot season, he often sets up a hut and stays in the forest for a whole week. Before each trip, he has to get up very early, before the rooster crows. The equipment he brings is also simple, with a small pot, rice, fish sauce, peanuts, sesame, and dried fish, enough for about 3 days in the forest... "Going to the forest is not boring, especially during the bamboo shoot season, people go in groups, it's very crowded and fun!" - Mr. Tien happily said.
Every time he patrols, if he sees signs of illegal logging or hunting, he immediately reports it to the authorities to take preventive measures. In addition, he always takes advantage of every moment and place to propagate to the people living nearby ways to raise their sense of responsibility in protecting the forest and not encroaching on it. Talking about the danger, Mr. Tien also often faces threats from "forest bandits". He shared: "The subjects travel in groups, when discovered, they switch to picking bamboo shoots or looking for medicinal plants. With many years of experience, I grasp the situation, then inform the local forest rangers to come up with a plan to prevent it."
Besides illegal loggers, what forest rangers like Mr. Tien fear most is the weather. During the dry season, the risk of forest fires is very high. He must always stay close to the area, monitor the situation, and remind people to raise awareness of using fire when entering the forest, limiting the risk of causing forest fires.
Looking at his son, Mr. Tien hoped: "Now my legs are tired, the task of protecting the forest must be entrusted to this young generation!". For Mr. Luong Van Bay, this is not only a responsibility, but also a challenging job assigned by his father. The forest area is more than 40 hectares, if he does not have the experience passed down from the previous generation, it will be difficult for him to take on the responsibility.
More motivation to protect forests
When asked about his motivation for forest protection, Mr. Bay shared: "Love, responsibility and support from the State for forest protectors are the motivation for me to stick with the forest". Recently, he received more than 16 million VND from the State's support policies on forest protection. If in the past, forest protectors only received support for payment policies for forest protection and forest environmental services, now forest protectors have an additional source of income from Decree 107/2022/ND-CP dated December 28, 2022 of the Government on piloting the transfer of emission reduction results and financial management of greenhouse gas emission reduction payment agreements in the North Central region (hereinafter referred to as the ERPA program). Having an additional source of income has partly helped Mr. Bay as well as many people in Tan Hiep village reduce difficulties in life, creating motivation to protect the forest. In addition to economic significance, the new policy also changes the community's awareness of the value of forests. In addition to providing secondary forest products, forests now also play a role in protecting the environment and helping to mitigate climate change. This helps people better understand their role in preserving natural resources and the living environment.
Mr. Luong Van Duong, Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Commune People's Committee, said: "The commune has 787 hectares of natural forest that are eligible for payment under the ERPA program. Of which, 625 hectares of forest are assigned to 103 households for management and protection; 162 hectares are managed by Thanh Hoa Commune People's Committee. On average, 1 hectare of forest will be paid more than 130,000 VND under the ERPA program. Thus, every year, people in the commune receive more than 81 million VND from the ERPA program and the Commune People's Committee receives about 21 million VND."
According to Decree 107/2022/ND-CP dated December 28, 2022 of the Government on piloting the transfer of emission reduction results and financial management of greenhouse gas emission reduction payment agreements (ERPA) in the North Central region, Thanh Hoa is one of 6 provinces implementing the pilot. Profits from ERPA aim to increase income, create motivation and proactiveness of people in raising awareness of forest protection and attachment; gradually change people's awareness of the role and effects of forests; increase forest cover, improve living environment. |
Although still in the pilot phase, the ERPA program has shown positive effects in forest protection, environmental protection, job creation, and increased income for people living and attached to forests, especially ethnic minorities in mountainous areas. Thanks to this source of funding, it will contribute to improving the quality of life and reducing the poverty rate in localities. However, the policy is only applied to natural forests, while the carbon reserves from mangrove forests and production forests in Thanh Hoa are very large.
Dinh Giang
Lesson 2: Big potential but many difficulties
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguon-nbsp-song-nbsp-moi-nbsp-cho-nbsp-rung-bai-1-giu-hoi-tho-cua-lang-230459.htm
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