Quang Tri pushes for forest protection

In recent years, Quang Tri Province has significantly improved its forest management and protection efforts, particularly in areas inhabited by ethnic minority communities. Recognizing that forest management can only be effective when local residents, especially those living near forests, are actively engaged, provincial authorities have focused on raising public awareness and promoting community involvement. These efforts have proven to be key in the province’s success in protecting its forest resources.

The provincial Forest Protection Department, along with local governments, has made it a priority to diversify communication strategies, adapt information dissemination methods, and expand the target audience to enhance forest management outcomes. This approach aims to foster a greater understanding of the importance of forests and encourage residents to actively participate in protecting them.

Timber harvesting in Cam Tuyen Commune, Cam Lo District -Photo: D.T

In Quang Tri, the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic minority groups are concentrated in villages and communes, particularly in the districts of Huong Hoa and Dakrong, with smaller populations in Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, and Cam Lo districts.

These communities have long had a deep connection to the forests, relying on forest resources for their livelihoods. Over generations, they have developed customs and practices for sustainable forest use, many of which have been beneficial in forest protection.

In recent years, the government has implemented numerous policies aimed at attracting resources for forest protection and development. These policies have yielded positive results, with an increasing number of communities actively participating in forest protection activities. Many residents have also benefited financially from forest-related economic activities.

However, the success of forest protection and biodiversity conservation depends largely on the involvement of local communities. Communities play a vital role in monitoring each other, educating one another, and enforcing local rules. Social pressure is often used to praise those who contribute positively to forest protection while discouraging harmful behaviors. This approach helps foster greater awareness and encourages responsible actions within the community.

Communities in Quang Tri share strong bonds with each other and with nature, rooted in shared languages, cultural traditions, and customs. As a result, community-based forest management offers numerous benefits. These include raising awareness of forestry laws, resolving conflicts between humans and nature, promoting sustainable resource management, and reducing tensions between economic development and biodiversity conservation. Importantly, it empowers communities to take an active role in forest protection.

Recognizing this, authorities have prioritized mobilizing ethnic minority communities living near forests to join in forest protection efforts. This approach aligns with a “socialized” ecological and human-centered perspective that emphasizes collective action.

Public awareness campaigns have introduced residents to the Forestry Law and highlighted the links between forest management, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. The campaigns also emphasize the role of traditional customs in forest conservation and outline the current state of forest protection in mountainous and ethnic minority regions.

Through these efforts, local communities have come to recognize forests as a precious national resource that shelters rare species of plants and animals, regulates air quality, protects water sources, and mitigates natural disasters such as floods and landslides.

Protecting forests is not only a responsibility but also a necessary action for all. Forest protection is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment and improving living conditions. Successful forest protection initiatives will also support the implementation of socio-economic development programs, improving the livelihoods of ethnic minority communities.

Elderly leaders, village chiefs, and respected figures within ethnic minority communities play a central role in promoting the Party’s policies and the State’s laws on forest protection. These individuals are vital in raising awareness of the importance of reforestation and preventing illegal forest activities.

To further support forest protection efforts, local authorities have been establishing networks, strengthening community connections, and ensuring that residents have access to the information and resources needed for forest conservation. Volunteer groups have been formed to encourage widespread participation in forest protection, creating a movement that spans generations.

Each year, the provincial Forest Protection Department works closely with relevant agencies and local governments to organize campaigns promoting forest conservation in schools, villages, and communities. Educational materials, including leaflets and posters, have been widely distributed, significantly raising public awareness of forest and wildlife protection.

As of now, Quang Tri has a total forested area of 248,189 hectares, including 126,693 hectares of natural forest and 121,495 hectares of planted forest, with a forest coverage rate of 49.4%. The province has allocated over 200,000 hectares of forest land, accounting for 62% of the total forestry land, to various entities for management.

More than 20,000 hectares have been allocated to communities and households, while an additional 90,000 hectares of natural forest have been contracted to local residents for long-term management and protection. Forest protection and fire prevention measures have been strengthened, helping to prevent illegal logging and forest encroachment. These efforts have provided communities with stable livelihoods and helped improve living standards in mountainous and ethnic minority regions.

In conclusion, community involvement remains at the heart of Quang Tri’s forest management strategy. By empowering local communities to protect and manage forest resources, the province is fostering sustainable development and preserving its valuable biodiversity for future generations.

Quang Tri Province, with its extensive forest cover of over 248,000 hectares, has made significant strides in forest management, protection, and development in recent years. According to the provincial Forest Protection Department, the application of advanced technology in forestry has led to notable improvements in these areas.

In 2023 alone, using satellite imagery, the department identified 62 locations with changes in natural forest areas totaling 70.2 hectares. On-the-ground inspections confirmed that these satellite-derived data are over 90% accurate.

Currently, the department is digitizing forestry map data across the province and has implemented various software tools, including Mapinfo, MapSource, Microstation, Arcview, and FRMS. These tools are used to update forest conditions, create reforestation maps, verify current forest and forest land status, and support forest land-use changes, forest zoning, and fire prevention and control efforts.

Most of the department’s staff are proficient in using smartphones and tablets equipped with these software tools. They can quickly and accurately conduct field surveys, analyze digital map data, and determine locations, areas, and distances. Moving forward, the department plans to further enhance the use of information technology, particularly satellite imagery and related software, to monitor forest conditions, prevent and manage forest fires, and detect illegal logging activities.

The department will organize training sessions to improve the skills of forest protection officers and forest management teams in using GIS software and analyzing forest changes through satellite images.

Additionally, the department will advise the provincial People’s Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on securing annual funding for high-quality satellite imagery and modern equipment. These investments aim to further enhance the effectiveness of forest management and protection efforts, keeping pace with evolving needs.

Dan Tam - Ngoc Mai