Tuan Giao is a locality with a large forest area, playing an important role in environmental protection, climate regulation, and the development of the forestry economy in the district. Recognizing this position and importance, in recent years, Tuan Giao district has actively implemented various solutions to mobilize the participation of the local people, especially ethnic minorities, in forest management, protection, and development. The proactive participation of the people has contributed to significant changes, gradually making forestry one of the key economic sectors in the area.
A coordination meeting between local forest rangers, local officials, and forest owners.
Tuan Giao district currently has more than 46,000 hectares of forested land, with over 45,000 hectares of natural forests, and a forest cover rate of 41.1%. Recognizing that enhancing public awareness and promoting participation are key factors, Tuan Giao has coordinated with specialized units and local authorities to organize hundreds of public awareness campaigns, educating the people about forest protection, forest fire prevention, sustainable forest use, and legal regulations. The messages have been conveyed in simple and memorable ways, adapted to the literacy level and language of the local ethnic communities. As a result, people’s mindset has gradually shifted from "destroying forests for farming" to "protecting forests for development," and they are now actively participating in forest patrols and protection, with illegal logging activities significantly reduced. Mr. Tong Van Thanh from Ban Co, Quai To commune, Tuan Giao district, shared: "Our forest protection group consists of 16 people, divided into 8 teams. Each week, we take turns patrolling the forest in three shifts to detect and prevent forest destruction, hunting, and forest fires, reporting any violations to higher authorities for resolution."
In addition, in recent years, Tuan Giao district has also been focusing on implementing investment projects to support forest development. Households involved in reforestation are provided with seedlings, fertilizers, and other support. In 2024, the local government has encouraged and mobilized people to plant nearly 90 hectares of replacement and protective forests. Notably, in recent years, through payments for forest environmental services, the local people have gained stable incomes, which has strengthened their commitment to protecting forest resources. From 2019 to 2023, around 1,000 forest owners, including organizations, community groups, households, and individuals, in Tuan Giao district received nearly 104.8 billion VND for forest environmental services. According to the Forest Protection and Development Fund, the total area of forest supplying environmental services in Tuan Giao district in 2024 is nearly 36,412 hectares, with more than 21 billion VND paid to the people.
The people of Quai To commune, Tuan Giao district, actively participate in planting pine forests.
According to the report from the Tuan Giao Forest Ranger Unit, in the first quarter of 2025, forest management, protection, and fire prevention work continued to receive strong leadership and direction from the local party committees and authorities at all levels, along with the efforts of forest rangers, forest owners, and local residents. The district has directed specialized agencies to coordinate with the People's Committees of communes, towns, and forest owners to organize patrols and forest inspections, totaling 228 patrols with 1,024 participants. They also organized 204 community meetings to raise awareness and educate the public about forestry laws, with 2,017 people participating and signing commitments for forest management and protection. In the first quarter, there were 40 violations of the Forestry Law, and 34 administrative penalties were issued, totaling 296 million VND in fines.
The promotion of local people's role in forest management, protection, and development has contributed to the effectiveness of forestry work in Tuan Giao. As a result, not only has the forest cover been maintained, and the ecological environment protected, but livelihoods have also been improved for the people. In the future, Tuan Giao will continue to expand effective community-based forest protection models, strengthen support mechanisms, and create conditions for local people to become the true "owners" of green forests. Additionally, this will help the district achieve its goal of increasing forest cover to 43% by 2025, a nearly 2% increase compared to 2024.