Living in the forest must be responsible for protecting the forest.
Ta Dung National Park covers an area of over 21,000 hectares in Dak Glong District (Dak Nong) and Dam Rong District (Lam Dong). This special-use forest is an important biodiversity conservation area of the Southern Truong Son region, with many rare species of flora and fauna. It is one of four endemic bird areas in Vietnam with 222 endemic bird species worldwide.
Ta Dung National Park is an important biodiversity conservation area of the Southern Truong Son region, with many species of wild animals and rare plants. It is one of four endemic bird areas of Vietnam with 222 endemic bird species worldwide. (Photo: Ta Dung National Park)
Every Saturday morning, the team assigned to manage and protect the forest in Bon Bnam (also known as village), Dak Som commune, Dak Glong district, organizes patrols and protects the forest in two sub-areas 1803 and 1807, Ta Dung National Park. The team of 12 members is divided into 2 groups, going in 2 directions to form a circle around the contracted area of more than 200 hectares.
Mr. K'Dậnh, a member of the group, said that regular patrols will promptly detect acts of forest encroachment, hunting, and trapping of wild animals. Thereby, the forest is better protected.
"Once we have received the contract, we have to be responsible. The forest protection team regularly patrols and protects the forest. Whenever someone enters the forest, we promptly stop them. Knowing that the forest is protected, very few people dare to violate it," said Mr. K'Dậnh.
It is known that Bon Bnam is a long-standing settlement of the Ma people, located in the core area of Ta Dung National Park.
Currently, about 3,000 hectares have been assigned to 14 forest management and protection groups in villages and hamlets with more than 150 households, all of whom are ethnic minorities, participating in forest protection.
Mr. K'Sriu, Head of the group that is contracted to manage and protect the forest in the village, said that the villagers have been participating in forest management and protection with the national park for about 20 years. This job brings in an income of 15-20 million VND/household/year. Although not much, it has helped the villagers have an additional source of income to cover their living expenses, thereby helping them to be more attached and responsible for the forest.
"I have participated in forest protection for twenty years, and I understand that living in the forest means having the responsibility to protect the forest. The government also has a policy of paying people who participate in forest protection. Although it is not much, our people have money to buy rice, fish sauce, salt, and cover their daily lives. In the long term, I also hope that the government will have a policy to increase money for forest protection, helping people have a better source of income, feel more secure, and be more committed to forest protection work," Mr. K'Sriu shared.
Every Saturday morning, the teams assigned to manage and protect the forest organize patrols and protect the forest at Ta Dung National Park.
Mr. Phan Van Thang, Deputy Head of the Ta Dung National Park Forest Protection Department, said that the participation of local people in forest protection has greatly reduced the pressure on specialized forces. Local people have a clear and quick grasp of the situation, and any changes are detected and prevented promptly. Thanks to that, the forests of the National Park are more strictly protected.
Orientation of ecotourism development associated with forest protection in buffer zone communities
Mr. Phan Van Su, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation, Ta Dung National Park, said that in order for people to stay connected with the forest, the unit is looking for solutions to increase income for people. Along with the contracted money for forest management and protection, the unit is currently prioritizing hiring and contracting people in the buffer zone to carry out forestry projects such as afforestation, forest regeneration promotion, and building firebreaks.
At the same time, from the annual Sustainable Forestry Development Program budget, the National Park actively supports people in the buffer zone to build roads, rural lighting, and many other public works. Thereby, contributing to improving people's income and living standards. At the same time, strengthening the connection of people with the National Park, thereby raising awareness of forest protection.
"The National Park has annual buffer zone support programs. For example, in 2024, it supported 31 communities with a budget of about 1.2 billion VND, mainly for public works. This is a policy that people are very responsive to and happy about," said Mr. Phan Van Su.
Ta Dung Lake is considered the Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands, located in Ta Dung National Park in Dak Nong province.
Mr. Khuong Thanh Long, Director of Ta Dung National Park Management Board, said that in order to effectively protect the forest area and biodiversity, the unit determined that it must do a good job of attracting people and communities in the buffer zone to participate. Currently, about 3,000 hectares have been assigned to 14 forest management and protection teams in villages and hamlets with more than 150 households, all of whom are ethnic minorities, participating in forest protection.
The Director of Ta Dung National Park Management Board added that with its unique ecological values, especially Ta Dung Lake - considered the Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands, the unit is developing a project to develop tourism associated with forest protection in the buffer zone communities. If this is done, it will contribute to creating livelihoods, increasing income and closely connecting people with forest management and protection.
"In parallel with forest protection and development, we consider creating livelihoods for people. Currently, we are developing an eco-tourism project. Along with that, it is associated with forest protection. From there, creating jobs for people, the forest development work at Ta Dung National Park will be better", Mr. Khuong Thanh Long shared.
Source: https://danviet.vn/khu-rung-co-ho-ta-dung-o-dak-nong-lam-dong-co-ho-co-dao-con-la-liet-dong-vat-hoang-da-dep-me-luon-20240801191834032.htm
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