For generations, the Thai ethnic people in Tan Hiep village, Thanh Hoa commune, mountainous district of Nhu Xuan (Thanh Hoa) have been attached to and consider forests as a precious source of life. Therefore, protecting forests not only protects the country’s resources, but also preserves “green breath” for future generations.
We went back to the West of Thanh Hoa in the middle of winter. Mr. Luong Hong Tien's house in Tan Hiep village (Thanh Hoa commune, Nhu Xuan district) is hidden behind the forests. This year, he has entered his 70s but Mr. Tien still looks strong. When he knew that we came here to learn about the village's forest protection work, he could not hide his pride and excitement from deep in his voice and eyes.
Mr. Tien said: Ever since his childhood, his life has been attached to the forest. He still remembers the times he followed his father to chop firewood, pick bamboo shoots, and pick mushrooms. The village was hungry during the lean season, and the people were sick, and the forest took care of everything. Therefore, he and the people of Tan Hiep village have always been aware of the importance of forest protection. When the State began implementing the forest protection contract policy, Mr. Tien was assigned to manage and protect more than 40 hectares of natural forest in the area bordering Nghe An province. At that time, not only the villagers but also his wife and children said he was "crazy" because he received the most difficult and farthest forest area. But for him, it was different: "Forest protection is not only the responsibility of the authorities but also the responsibility and love of every Tan Hiep resident. And when you "love" it, there is no need to measure or calculate" - Mr. Tien said.
Every month, Mr. Tien goes to the forest two or three times, each time for 2-3 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... Every time he goes on patrol, if he sees signs of illegal logging or hunting, he immediately reports it to the authorities so that measures can be taken to prevent it. At the same time, 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.
Forest rangers like Mr. Tien fear the weather the most. 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.
Now, Mr. Tien is not only happy when looking at the vast green forests, but also happy when finding a successor when he was "tired and exhausted". For Mr. Luong Van Bay - Mr. Tien's son, 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 did not have the experience passed down from the previous generation, it would be difficult for him to take on the task.
The State's responsibility and support for forest protectors is the motivation for me to follow my father's footsteps and continue to work with the forest," Mr. Bay shared. 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 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 (referred to as the ERPA program).
Having an additional source of income has helped Mr. Bay and many other people in Tan Hiep village reduce their difficulties in life and create motivation to protect the forest. In addition to its economic significance, the new policy also changes the community's awareness of the value of forests. From providing secondary forest products, forests now also play a role in protecting the environment and helping to reduce 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. 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 thousand 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.
“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,” Mr. Duong added.
Source: https://daidoanket.vn/giu-nguon-song-cho-ban-lang-10296724.html
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