Part 1. When the forest turns green again

The forests that were previously cleared by people for farming have now grown green again.

Quality forest areas are being restored thanks to strict afforestation and forest protection programs. The forest area in the Cau River watershed has been significantly improved. Many areas that were previously degraded are now green again, contributing to soil protection, water retention and soil erosion reduction.

Mr. Vu Van Thinh, Head of Cho Don Forest Protection Department, discussed more about forest protection work in the district.

Public awareness is raised

Thanks to national target programs, local propaganda activities and support from all levels and sectors from the province to local authorities, people living near forests have become more aware of the importance of upstream forests. Instead of illegally exploiting forests, people have switched to implementing sustainable economic models such as planting valuable medicinal plants under the forest canopy, exploiting secondary forest products or developing ecotourism to earn income and improve their lives.

Forest patrol work in the upstream forest area of ​​Cau River is regularly carried out by people in Na Bay village, Bang Phuc commune.

Leading us to the reality in some natural forests, upstream protection forests in the Vang Hen area belonging to Ban Moi and Na Bay villages, Bang Phuc commune (Cho Don), this is a stream branch flowing to Phuong Vien commune, upstream area of ​​Cau river, Mr. Nong Van Dang, Secretary of Na Bay village Party cell said: Since the village received the forest protection contract with an area of ​​more than 330 hectares of natural forest, protective forest, the village has established teams, with a corresponding list of 126 households in the village divided into 12 teams to patrol and protect the forest.

After nearly 10 years of protection, many forests have now turned green again. The forests that were previously bare fields have been replaced by forests with many species that are growing and developing well. Big trees have covered the bare hills in the locality every day.

According to Mr. Dang, just about 4 years ago, the stream was much drier, the amount of surface water flowing in was low, so people with fields near the stream almost did not carry out production activities in the dry season. However, after the forest returned to green, the amount of surface water flowing in over the past two years has increased, so people have renovated the fields, farmed, dug ponds to raise fish, raised livestock, and developed production in the upstream area of ​​Vang Hen.

Mr. Hoang Van Thai, Chairman of Bang Phuc Commune People's Committee, informed about forest protection and development work in the locality.

New signals

According to Mr. Nong Van Sam, Head of Choong Village, Phuong Vien Commune, he shared: Having been assigned to protect the forest with more than 42 hectares, mainly protective forests and natural forests regenerating upstream, after establishing a forest patrol team and regularly organizing patrols, for many years the forest protected by the village has not been encroached upon or greatly impacted, so it has developed well. People also have income from the forest through collecting secondary forest products such as bamboo shoots, dong leaves and some medicinal plants under the forest canopy. When the green forest returned to the water source in the past two years, the water flow has been stable, so some households have put it in ponds to raise fish, raise ducks and geese, contributing to increasing income.

According to local people, the water level at the headwaters of Vang Hen stream, a branch of the Cau river, has increased in the past two years compared to previous years.

According to the assessment of Mr. Dong Lam Thanh, Chairman of Phuong Vien Commune People's Committee: Cau River originates from Phuong Vien Commune, the water of Cau River has a particularly important meaning in the socio-economic development of the localities where the river passes through. Aware of that, in recent years, local authorities have made efforts in propaganda work and in recent years, in general, people's awareness and consciousness have been raised, the phenomenon of deforestation has decreased significantly, there are no more large-scale violations that need to be prosecuted. The forest cover rate has increased annually, reaching over 78% so far, the amount of surface water has shown signs of increasing and maintaining the flow, this is a very encouraging sign.

Mr. Nguyen My Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, evaluated the forest protection contracting work in Bac Kan province recently.

Discussing the effectiveness of the forest protection contract and the effectiveness when the forest is green again, Mr. Nguyen My Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: People who protect the forest enjoy full support policies from the State, are able to exploit secondary forest products, so they have more income, thereby limiting negative factors to the forest. The good signs when the forests are green again are that the air environment is cleaned, the water environment is maintained to protect life and play a big role in the socio-economic development of Bac Kan province.

With a stable water source, people in Bang Vien 1 village have conditions to raise fish and develop economic models, improving their quality of life.

Through practical research from localities, it is shown that: In recent years, thanks to the continuous efforts of the government, people and environmental protection organizations, the forests that were once devastated are gradually reviving. The area of ​​restored forests is expanding, bringing positive signals to the environment, ecosystem and human life. The return of green forests not only helps protect the ecosystem, reduce the impact of natural disasters but also brings long-term socio-economic benefits. With the joint efforts of the whole community, the green color of the forest will certainly continue to spread, contributing to the sustainable development of Bac Kan province and the country./. ( continued )

Dinh Van

Source: https://baobackan.vn/ky-1-khi-rung-xanh-tro-lai-post70108.html