The imprint of green pathways

(Baonghean) - To contribute to the sustainable development of the rural environment, many localities have recently adopted effective methods to promptly prevent the destruction of the landscape and environment, and the excessive concrete construction of urbanization.

Social organizations get involved.

During the process of building rural transportation systems for the New Rural Development program, many trees were cut down, somewhat affecting the living environment of the people. Faced with this situation, for many years, the Ornamental Plants Association of Nghi An commune (Vinh City) has taken on the task of replanting trees along village roads and alleys, assisting agencies and offices in caring for ornamental trees, creating a friendly environment, and ensuring that all concrete roads in the commune have ornamental trees and shade trees.

Trees planted along the inter-hamlet road in Kim Phuc hamlet (Nghi An commune, Vinh City). Photo: My Nga

In the hamlets of Kim Phuc, Kim Chi, and Kim My (Nghi Kim commune, Vinh City), taking advantage of the traditional ornamental plant cultivation, members have voluntarily contributed seedlings to supply the hamlets for new plantings along roads and in their home gardens. Many members have independently learned and skillfully crossbred many rare and valuable ornamental plant species with beautiful shapes and multifaceted value. Many home gardens have been developed and transformed into attractive ecological destinations, drawing people to come and enjoy themselves. This has sparked a movement among the entire population to actively plant and protect ornamental trees, contributing to ensuring a clean environment and combating climate change.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Truc, Vice Chairman of the Nghi An Commune People's Committee, said that in order to comprehensively develop the movement, in addition to strengthening propaganda and mobilization efforts to encourage members to effectively build models in their home gardens, the Ornamental Plant Association also supplies plant seedlings, designs and decorates green spaces suitable for the characteristic spaces in cultural and historical relics, public playgrounds and entertainment areas, and agencies, units, and schools. At the same time, it actively promotes, mobilizes, and guides people on techniques for planting ornamental and shade trees, beautifying both their homes and creating a pleasant environment for their villages. This approach has contributed to the sustainable development of the rural environment.

In Nghi Xuan commune (Nghi Loc district), the section of National Highway 46C running through the commune has been given a new look thanks to the self-managed tree planting model of the commune's Veterans Association. This 3-kilometer stretch of road has been under the Association's responsibility for planting and caring for trees since 2008. More than 3,000 acacia trees have been planted along the roadside, creating a green and airy space. With the self-management responsibility, the Association has assigned its branches to regularly organize activities to care for and protect the trees.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hanh, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Nghi Xuan commune, shared: “In the early days of planting trees, we faced many difficulties. Because the road runs along the Lam River, when the water level rose, the trees' roots would rot, causing them to die in large numbers. But all the members were united and determined not to give up on the project.” To ensure the number of trees along the road, the Association mobilizes 100% of its members three times a year to coordinate with local organizations to organize general cleaning, weeding, pruning, and tree care. To date, all the planted trees are growing and developing well, reaching a height of about 6-7 meters and a diameter of up to 20 centimeters.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Duyen, Chairman of the Nghi Xuan Commune People's Committee, commented: "The self-managed green tree planting model of the Commune's Veterans Association is a good and practical model. It not only creates shade and a green, airy space but also brings great benefits in balancing the ecosystem and protecting the local environment."

The road leading to Xuan Loc hamlet (Nghi Xuan district) is shaded by trees. Photo: My Nga

The people contributed.

These days, visiting Kim Trung hamlet in Nghi An commune, one cannot help but be amazed by the beauty of the concrete village roads adorned with vibrant rows of portulaca flowers. This is the "product" of the local people's efforts in building a sustainable and developing new rural hamlet. Having participated in planting flowers from the very beginning, Ms. Duong Thi Phuong Dung enthusiastically recounted: "The movement to plant portulaca flowers in front of our houses started with just a few households with the aim of 'clearing weeds.' Portulaca flowers are very easy to grow; you just need to plant cuttings and they spread very quickly. A few months later, the patches of flowers began to bloom, surprising and delighting many people. Gradually, everyone enthusiastically joined in building the portulaca flower road for the hamlet. Seeing the beautiful flowers and the cleaner village roads and alleys, people began to find the flowers to plant around their houses."

Ms. Tran Thi Huong, Vice Head of the Women's Association in Kim Trung hamlet, said: "This road looks beautiful today thanks to the campaign to build a green, clean, and beautiful environment according to the criteria of the New Rural Development program. Even though the people here are busy with their fields and gardens, they still dedicate their free time to tending and watering the flowers."

In Bach Cam village, Nghi Lien commune (Vinh City), the people here clearly understand that "building a new rural area is building for ourselves," therefore everyone enthusiastically responds and contributes to the tree planting program to create a green, clean, and beautiful landscape for the village. Specifically, they mobilized the strength and resources of the entire community, with 300 melaleuca trees, 10 mango trees, and 15 royal palm trees planted on an area of ​​2450 m2 of the village's cultural center grounds, giving it a new look with fresh green foliage. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dinh - Secretary of Bach Cam village shared: "With this model, the people contribute to effectively implementing activities to protect the living environment sustainably, and at the same time demonstrate their sense of ownership in the construction of a new rural area."

In reality, rural environments are under pressure from urbanization. However, successful models like those in Nghi An, Nghi Xuan, and Nghi Lien communes have proven the opposite, demonstrating that people can take responsibility for their own living environment. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Truc, Vice Chairman of the Nghi An Commune People's Committee, affirmed: "Environmental criteria must be maintained and developed. This not only involves building green, clean, and beautiful village roads, but also contributes to the planning and development of a 'green buffer zone' for the city."

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