A range of timely measures, from intensified patrols and law enforcement to enhanced forest fire prevention and control, have contributed to a reduction in forest destruction and wildfires, reinforcing discipline in forest management.
According to Nguyen Van Hoan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in 2025, the Department advised the Provincial People’s Committee to issue several key decisions and documents related to forest protection, development, and forest fire prevention and control. These serve as crucial foundations for localities to implement forest management tasks more comprehensively and effectively.
In addition, the forest protection sub-Department has continuously directed local ranger stations and mobile ranger teams to intensify patrols, set up checkpoints, and conduct raids in critical areas. At the same time, rangers have strengthened cooperation with grassroots authorities, particularly in legal education and awareness campaigns.
To date, 535 awareness campaigns have been organized, attracting nearly 30,000 participants; over 7,600 commitments to forest protection and forest fire prevention and control have been signed; more than 5,800 posters, regulations, and fire prohibition signs have been distributed to village committees and households living near or adjacent to forests; 20 new signs prohibiting fire, logging, and burning, 20 regulation boards for forest fire prevention and control, 20 forest protection regulation boards, and 20 signs banning wildlife hunting have been installed.
Forest owners and local authorities have proactively developed response plans for each forest fire risk level, deployed personnel to high-risk areas, and promptly addressed hotspots at the earliest signs of heat.
Thanks to the comprehensive implementation of these measures, the number of forest fires in the province has dropped significantly. Only two plantation forest fires occurred, resulting in 6.15 hectares of damage, a decrease of two incidents and over 246 hectares compared to the same period in 2024.
Tighter forest management has also led to a marked reduction in forestry law violations. The province recorded 254 violations, down by 102 cases (equivalent to 28.65%). Only 12 cases were subject to criminal prosecution, a decrease of 23 cases from the previous year; the volume of confiscated illegal timber also fell sharply, and the area of destroyed forest decreased by over 41 hectares.
However, several forest destruction cases this year have revealed the boldness and sophistication of offenders, serving as a warning of potential recurrence if control is not further tightened.
Truong Thanh Ha, Acting Head of the Forest Protection Sub-Department, reported that authorities uncovered and dismantled 38 illegal charcoal kilns, seized over 161 cubic meters of timber, dozens of tons of non-timber forest products, and hundreds of vehicles used in violations. Across the province, 221 administrative violations and 10 criminal cases were investigated; 141 cases have been resolved, with 90 still under investigation and documentation.
In response to serious forest destruction incidents, rangers have closely coordinated with the police, border guards, and local authorities to investigate and clarify responsibilities. In Ia Mo commune, the Chu Prong Regional Ranger Station worked with Ia Mo Border Guard Station to urgently track down those responsible for forest destruction along the border. Any misconduct or negligence by rangers in local management has also been reviewed and addressed.
Nguyen Van Hoan emphasized that effective forest protection requires stricter discipline and order in management. The Department has requested the Provincial Border Guard Command and Provincial Police to direct their forces to work with rangers to clarify cases and ensure appropriate accountability, serving as a deterrent.
Additionally, rangers are collaborating with agencies and localities to implement preventive measures, focusing on raising public awareness. Nguyen Van Thien, Chairman of the Kim Son Commune People’s Committee, said the locality has identified high-risk areas for violations and, together with rangers, the forest management board, and police, has organized legal education in villages and hamlets; established task forces to coordinate patrols, monitor local developments, and promptly detect, prevent, and handle violations.
Truong Thanh Ha noted that relying solely on rangers is insufficient to protect the province’s entire forest area. It is essential to mobilize the strength of the entire political system and encourage proactive community involvement.
Ha suggested that in the coming period, localities should continue to persuade residents not to destroy forests, encroach on forest land, or facilitate illegal timber trade; at the same time, communities should be encouraged to participate in monitoring and promptly reporting violations, thereby contributing to effective forest protection and sustainable forest development.
