Forest preservation associated with poverty reduction in Pu Hoat Nature Reserve

(Baonghean) - Pu Hoat Nature Reserve Management Board manages 85,231.08 hectares of forest and forestry land (of which special-use forest area is 34,628.27 hectares; protection forest area is 50,276.41 hectares; production forest area is 326.40 hectares).

In 2016, the unit organized more than 120 patrols to protect the forest at the root, repelling illegal logging subjects, including more than 50 long-term patrols across the forest. As a result, by November 2016, the Forest Protection Force had handled 37 administrative violations, confiscating 98,191m3 of various types of wood, 3 motorbikes, and 10 chainsaws.

Established 9 teams, 65 groups with 695 members, signed commitment to PCCCR for 3,057 households in buffer zones of 9 communes. Propaganda on PCCCR was deployed in 65 sessions for 2,836 participants. In 2016, there were no forest fires in the area managed by the unit. Violations were handled promptly, effectively deterred, and forest management and protection work is still under control.

Afforestation in Que Phong.

The unit has carried out forest protection contracts according to the following capital sources: Payment for forest environmental services, phase 1, 2016, on an area of ​​38,198.62 hectares for 799 households - 93 household groups and 4 organizations and armed forces stationed in the area. Payment of economic career capital source 30a on an area of ​​25,084.19 hectares with a total of 1,449 households receiving contracts. Rice support for 3,343 people.

Also in 2016, the unit planted 1,050 hectares of concentrated forests, with 3 nurseries creating 1,197,937 seedlings of various kinds. The living standards of officers and employees have been increasingly improved, reaching 7.5 million VND/person/month.

Regarding scientific research, during the year, the unit prepared a dossier to submit to the competent authority to recognize the population of Sa Mu Dau as a heritage tree population of Vietnam; investigated the distribution and biological characteristics of gymnosperm species as a basis for conservation in Pu Hoat Nature Reserve; coordinated with the Center for Environment and Development of Nghe An Science Association to conduct research topics on Biodiversity in Pu Hoat Nature Reserve.

The Board also coordinated with the Vietnam Museum of Nature to survey the biodiversity of amphibians and reptiles at Pu Hoat Nature Reserve; drafted a research proposal and budget for the distribution and ecological characteristics of Magnolia species and proposed conservation solutions in 2017.

Mushrooms in Pu Hoat forest. Photo archive

The Board proposes to the Provincial People's Committee, provincial departments and branches to approve the technical economic report of Muong Long Forest Protection Station; allocate funds to build an office and 2 temporary shelters for the unit's staff; allocate funds to support forest protection management and fire prevention and fighting from the reserve fund for forest environmental service payments. Currently, the Pu Hoat Nature Reserve Management Board has been assigned 38 positions by the Provincial People's Committee, and requests to add more positions in accordance with current regulations.

Propose the District People's Committee to direct communes to carry out forest management and protection according to Decision No. 07/2012/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, pay attention to forest development; strengthen propaganda and education to raise awareness of legal education, strictly manage subjects with illegal forest exploitation behavior; pay attention to solving the situation of encroachment, illegal forest exploitation. Direct competent agencies to coordinate to solve the problem of overlapping planning...

Nguyen Danh Hung

Director of Pu Hoat Nature Reserve Management Board