Promoting forest protection and development in Sang Moc commune

Recognizing forestry as a key economic sector, in recent years, the authorities and people of the mountainous commune of Sang Moc, Thai Nguyen, have focused on forest development and protection, turning afforestation into a livelihood that drives local socio-economic growth.

Authorities of Sang Moc commune coordinate with functional forces to propagate the Forestry Law to forest owners.

The family of Mr. Nong Van Nhuoc in Ban Chuong Hamlet, Sang Moc Commune owns six hectares of forest. Thanks to tree planting, his family has escaped poverty and improved their living conditions. Aware of the economic benefits forests bring, and with the guidance of local officials and authorities, Mr. Nhuoc strictly follows regulations on forest protection and development, especially those related to forest fire prevention and control during the dry season.

Mr. Nong Van Nhuoc shared: “Every year, we receive seedlings and annual planting designs. For tree planting, fire prevention and control are very important. Before the dry season, we clear the ground cover so that if a fire occurs, it won’t spread to other areas.”

In Ban Chuong, there are nearly 300 hectares of production forest and over 70 hectares of special-use forest. In recent years, forestry has become the main economic direction for residents. Thanks to afforestation and forest protection, people’s living standards have steadily improved.

“The local authorities from the provincial to the commune and district levels have all come to the hamlet to raise awareness among villagers about caring for and protecting forests. For example, after each round of tree harvesting, people are instructed to clear the area and make firebreaks about three meters wide to prevent fires from spreading. They also remind us not to cut or clear natural forests and to comply with state regulations”, Mr. Nguyen Van Lam in Ban Chuong hamlet said.

Mr. Nong Van Nhuoc was instructed by officers of Forest Protection Department No. 14 on how to handle the ground cover after logging.

Since ethnic minorities comprise 97% of the local population, the commune authorities have paid special attention to communication and guidance, encouraging people to plant forests according to approved designs, comply with forest fire prevention and control regulations, and strengthen the protection of natural and special-use forests.

Mr. Ha Van Dan, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Sang Moc commune, informed: “We actively raise awareness among villagers to comply with forest management, protection, and fire prevention regulations. In the future, we also plan to study and develop zoning plans to attract more projects and resources for local forest development, helping people increase their income and achieve sustainable poverty reduction.”

The efforts in forestry development and forest protection have brought about clear and positive results in Sang Moc commune. When people regard forests as valuable assets and sustainable sources of livelihood, the forests are better protected, helping to preserve the ecological environment and promote sustainable forest development in the locality.