Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve has a total area of over 23,400 hectares, located in 5 communes in the North of Huong Hoa district. In recent times, thanks to the promotion of information technology application and digital transformation, the management, monitoring and protection of forest resources of the unit have had clear changes.
The forest protection and trap removal patrol team updates information via the SMART app - Photo: NP
The forest protection and trap removal patrol team of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve currently has 5 members, including 1 reserve officer and 4 people from the groups contracted to protect the community forest. When patrolling the forest, before departure, the team members always carefully check their tools and personal belongings.
In addition to the familiar tools commonly used when patrolling the forest such as shoes, helmets, knives, machetes, and GPS devices, each person also equips themselves with a phone with SMART software installed, a tool that helps standardize data collection, analysis, and reporting on the current status of natural resource management and biodiversity.
During the patrol process, if they discover new rare animals or plants or trap wild animals... they will promptly record, enter information, mark locations via GPS and smartphones with SMART software to report to the conservation area management department.
Mr. Ho Van Xuyen, a member of the team, said: “On average, we patrol the forest for about 30 days every quarter. This job also has potential risks, many nights we have to stay in the middle of the forest. Along with the patrol process, we carry out the work of removing illegally placed animal traps, updating observations of animal and plant species on the route... Since having SMART software, patrolling and updating data has become easier.”
At Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, the SMART application was deployed from the beginning of 2023. Previously, before the application was available, patrol data was collected using tools such as handheld GPS locators, paper forms/sheets, and cameras, which were then manually entered into computers. However, this approach was time-consuming and lacked objectivity, and the data entry process was prone to errors.
According to the Captain of the Forest Protection and Trap Removal Team, Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Tran Dang, the task force is small and manages a relatively large area on complex terrain, so the application of mapping software, including the SMART application, is very necessary.
This is considered one of the optimal solutions at the present time to enhance the quality of human resource management and improve the efficiency of forest protection patrols and biodiversity monitoring. Forest protection patrol routes are fully stored by SMART with information such as coordinates, patrol distance, patrol date, etc.
“When we first got acquainted with the SMART application, we encountered many difficulties. However, this software is integrated on the phone, suitable for team members to record field information during field inspections; supporting many functions during the task implementation process.
After more than a year of implementing SMART on smartphones, the results of patrols and field inspections are updated through the management software more quickly and accurately," said Mr. Dang.
According to information from Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, SMART application data automatically transmitted to the server since the beginning of 2023 has recorded more than 700 patrol days of forest protection teams with nearly 1,500 officers participating, in which more than 60 wild animal traps were removed and rare wild animals and plants were monitored.
Thanks to that, forest management and protection work is highly effective, and forest biodiversity is also monitored meticulously and accurately. It can be seen that SMART is an effective tool, providing strong support to the management board of the conservation area in managing and supervising the implementation of tasks of officers when patrolling, protecting forests and monitoring biodiversity.
From there, the leaders of the conservation area will have timely direction to improve and enhance the quality and effectiveness of professional work of the staff, contributing to enhancing the effectiveness of management and control of forest resources and biodiversity of the unit.
Director of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Ha Van Hoan, affirmed that management at the reserve has been significantly improved since SMART was applied. Data recorded from the SMART application is very helpful for the management board in the process of developing regulations and providing appropriate solutions to manage and conserve forest resources more effectively.
“Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve is home to populations of rare animals and plants such as white-crested pheasants, Ha Tinh langurs, saola, large-antlered muntjac, striped rabbits; cistanche, slipper orchids, agarwood..., including many species of animals and plants that are at risk of extinction.
The use of SMART software in forest management, protection and biodiversity conservation contributes to promoting the digital transformation process. Thereby, helping the forest protection force of the management board to promptly access science and technology and solve urgent requirements in forest protection and biodiversity conservation.
In the coming time, the unit will summarize and re-evaluate activities related to the use of the SMART application to report to competent authorities for consideration of funding support and equipment with the application installed for staff and people participating in forest protection patrols," said Mr. Hoan.
Nam Phuong
Source
Comment (0)