(Baonghean.vn) - Although the conservation project was approved more than 10 years ago, in which most households in the two villages of Co Phat and Bung were to be relocated to new residences, more than 230 households are still living in a situation where they "cannot leave, and cannot stay either".
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| The Dan Lai ethnic group is a small community of approximately 3,000 people living in Con Cuong district, primarily in the villages of Co Phat and Bung. These two villages are located in the core area of Pu Mat National Park, isolated from other villages. Due to their isolation and the risk of racial decline, in December 2006, the Prime Minister approved the Project "Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Dan Lai Ethnic Minority Currently Living in the Core Area of Pu Mat National Park, Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province". (In the photo: A view of Bung village, Mon Son commune. Photo: Tien Hung.) |
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| At the time the project was approved, only 176 households lived in these two villages. According to the project, 146 households would be relocated to new residences in Thach Ngan commune, while the remaining 30 households would continue to live in Co Phat village with the aim of developing ecotourism and exploiting cultural characteristics. The project had a total investment of nearly 100 billion VND, of which the central government provided 64 billion VND. The project was scheduled to be implemented over 3 years, from 2007 to 2009. In 2007, 42 households were moved to the Thach Son and Thach Ngan resettlement villages. The remaining households eagerly awaited their relocation, but since then, the project seems to have been "suspended," with no households being relocated. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| Remaining in the forest, the number of households has now reached over 230 with nearly 1,000 people. These people are currently living in a predicament where they "can neither leave nor stay," because this area is within the core zone of the national park. Newlywed couples who want to build houses are unable to do so because they don't know where to find wood and land. "They have lived here for generations. The national park was only recently established, but when they surveyed the area, they included people's land in the map. Now, people's lives and farming are very difficult. There is little land, and even when they go to harvest bamboo shoots, the forest rangers won't let them," said Mr. Luong Viet Tung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Mon Son commune. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| According to Mr. Tung, the people in these villages currently live mainly on subsidies and occasional visits from charitable organizations. The commune government is hoping to petition the Pu Mat National Park to return this area to the commune's management so that it can be allocated to the people. In the photo: Dan Lai people go into the forest to cut bananas for food, but have to do it secretly for fear of the forest rangers. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| While the relocation process stalled, nearly two years ago, a power line over 20 km long was laid from the center of Mon Son commune to these two villages. The power lines were extended to each household, and each family received a light bulb and socket. However, despite being completed long ago, electricity has yet to be supplied. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| Many families, excited that electricity had finally reached their homes, rushed back to the lowlands to buy televisions, but now the TVs are broken, and the electricity is still out. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| The people of Dan Lai still have to "block the stream to welcome civilization" using household generators. However, during the rainy season or the dry season, these "machines" cannot operate. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| Child marriage and consanguineous marriage are serious problems in these villages. Ms. Le Thi Xuan, from Bung village, is only 29 years old but already has five children. Xuan got married before she was 15. Xuan believes that women here who are not married by 18 are considered "left on the shelf." After marriage, Xuan still has to live cramped in her husband's family home. "Here, they don't allow logging for house construction, and buying cement from the lowlands is expensive. Because the roads are impassable, we have to hire a speedboat, which takes 5 hours to get there. Transporting 3 bags costs 1.5 million dong," Xuan said. (Photo: Tien Hung) |
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| According to the village elders, the Dan Lai people originated from the lowlands, now Thanh Chuong district. About 3,000 years ago, they lived together in one hamlet. During a village meeting, the hamlet was tasked by the village chief with cutting 100 yellow bamboo stalks and building a dugout canoe. Not knowing where to find them, and fearing massacre, they fled into the forest in the middle of the night, running all the way to the upper reaches of the Giang River. "In the old days, we lived a nomadic lifestyle, building shelters out of leaves, and moving to another place when the leaves turned yellow. Living in the forest, surrounded by wild animals, and fearing pursuit by the authorities, our ancestors had to sleep sitting up. Every night, the whole tribe would gather around the campfire and use a piece of wood with a notch to rest their chins on while sleeping," said Mr. Le Van Khai (59 years old). Currently, with the threats gone, the Dan Lai people have abandoned the habit of sleeping sitting up. (Photo: Tien Hung) |
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| While residents of Co Phat and Bung villages are struggling to survive while waiting for relocation, more than 50 kilometers away, the Ke Tat resettlement area has been in serious disrepair for many years. This area, with 35 houses and many auxiliary structures intended for the Dan Lai people, was started in 2012. However, construction stopped when about 70% was completed, leaving the entire area deserted. Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Head of the Con Cuong District Project Management Board, said that the unit is awaiting budget allocation to carry out the relocation. This amount is estimated at approximately 6 billion VND to support the residents for one year. Photo: Tien Hung |
Tien Hung
