Environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods for locals

More than 120 households join forest planting campaign

The Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board recently launched its 2026 forest planting campaign at Nui Le Forest Station, bringing together forest rangers, local authorities, and more than 120 households contracted to manage and protect forests across the forest area.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nguyen Duy Cong, Deputy Director of the Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board, emphasized that this year's campaign comes amid increasingly extreme weather conditions and aims to convert unsuitable rubber plantations into forests of native timber species to strengthen watershed protection while raising public awareness of forest conservation.

"We place particular emphasis on training and technical guidance so that local households comply with legal requirements, follow proper forest management practices, and secure sustainable livelihoods over the long term," he said.

Under the 2026 plan, the Management Board will establish 444 hectares of protection forest, including 44 hectares of new plantations financed through the national compensatory afforestation program. The project will plant large native timber trees at a density of 625 trees per hectare and plant an additional 54,000 trees to improve the quality of 400 hectares of existing protected forests.

For production forests, around 650 hectares will be replanted following timber harvesting and the conversion of cashew plantations that no longer align with land-use planning. All seedlings are propagated in the Management Board's nursery, ensuring certified origins and compliance with technical standards.

This year's campaign attracted more than 120 households, most of whom hold forest management contracts across six forest stations in Xuan Thanh, Xuan Loc, and Xuan Hoa communes. Thanks to extensive pre-season technical training, participating households clearly understood their responsibilities, complied with legal regulations, and followed proper planting and maintenance procedures, contributing both to environmental protection and stable household incomes.

To enhance the value of forest products, the Management Board has obtained FSC certification for 3,600 hectares of production forests, helping timber products access higher-value export markets. It also works closely with local authorities to monitor and address forest violations, particularly in areas with nearby residential communities.

Immediately after the launch ceremony in Sub-compartment 206 of Nui Le Forest Station, nearly 1,000 Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) trees, carefully selected from the Management Board's nursery, were planted on former rubber plantation land following harvest. The trees were planted at a density of 625 trees per hectare, ensuring high survival rates and healthy long-term growth. The activity received enthusiastic participation from contracted forest households throughout the forest management area.

Tran Xuan Luc, a contracted forest caretaker in Sub-compartment 203 of Lang Cat Forest Station, shared: "Today I only planted a few dozen trees as part of the pilot activity, but the atmosphere at the launch ceremony was truly inspiring. Many local residents took part, listened attentively to the technical guidance, and then went into the field to plant trees. The event genuinely helped strengthen the community's awareness of forest protection."

According to Mr. Luc, he has participated in more than ten forest planting campaigns since 1992. His family's contracted forest currently contains around 1,000 large timber trees along with various other forest species. Although only a limited number of trees were planted during the pilot activity, participants were enthusiastic because the event not only promoted a culture of forest conservation but also helped local people master proper planting techniques and wildfire prevention practices to ensure healthy forest growth.

Restoring forests while supporting sustainable livelihoods

Representing participating households, Nguyen Van Hanh, head of the Community Forestry Group in Sub-compartment 203 of Lang Cat Forest Station, said: "Despite being busy with farm work, many local residents still joined the tree-planting campaign, attended the technical training, and participated in field activities. The event not only increased awareness of environmental and forest protection but also created a meaningful ripple effect throughout the community."

Since Lang Cat Forest Station was established in 2001, Nguyen Van Hanh and members of the community forestry group have regularly participated in long-term tree planting programs organized by the Management Board.

According to Mr. Hanh, many natural disasters and pest outbreaks are linked to environmental degradation. Restoring forests helps rehabilitate degraded land, conserve water resources, improve local climate conditions, and reduce the impacts of natural hazards on surrounding communities.

Nguyen Van Phuc, Head of Nui Le Forest Station under the Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board, said the station had completed its 2026 silvicultural operation plan and notified all contracted households well before the planting season, ensuring thorough preparation from site clearance to planting in accordance with both Management Board regulations and national forestry standards.

"Nui Le Forest Station currently manages more than 1,500 hectares of forest. This year, we have been assigned to establish 155 hectares of new forest, with the most important project being 37.74 hectares of compensatory afforestation in the Chua Chan Mountain Tourist Area. Site preparation has now been largely completed," Mr. Phuc said.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Le Anh Viet, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Xuan Thanh Commune, emphasized: "This year's forest planting campaign carries special significance. It is not only an important activity for protecting and developing forests, but also a practical measure to help the locality respond to climate change, improve the environment, and enhance the quality of life for local residents."

In recent years, Xuan Thanh Commune has worked closely with the Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board to organize annual forest planting, maintenance, and protection activities. The commune has also actively promoted public awareness of the vital role forests play in conserving natural resources, preventing forest fires, and supporting sustainable forest management.

Replacing harvested forests and restoring degraded forest areas not only helps protect water resources, reduce soil erosion, and maintain ecological balance, but also contributes to local economic development. Healthy forests improve soil quality and create favorable conditions for integrated agroforestry systems, generating higher incomes and more sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

"We will continue implementing practical measures to encourage greater public participation. Through awareness campaigns, tree-planting events, and technical training, local people will gain the knowledge and better understand their responsibilities in planting trees, restoring forests, and protecting forest resources," Mr. Viet said.

Looking ahead, Xuan Thanh Commune aims to promote economic development alongside forest conservation by encouraging sustainable development models and carefully managing the intercropping of industrial crops with forest trees, thereby increasing household incomes while maintaining stable forest cover.

According to To The Manh, Acting Deputy Director of the Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board, the Board has completed its 2026 afforestation plan and submitted it to the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment for approval.

A key component of the plan is the establishment of more than 44 hectares of compensatory forests planted with valuable native hardwood species, including Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), Afzelia xylocarpa, and Siamese rosewood (Pterocarpus macrocarpus), to expand indigenous timber resources and ensure the long-term sustainability of forest cover.

Mr. Manh added that the Management Board has also prepared and is implementing plans to reforest harvested areas and increase the density of large native timber trees in existing forests.

"Forest planting not only protects the environment but also promotes economic development and contributes to rural development. When local people can legally benefit from forests, they will have a stronger incentive to protect them sustainably. Every tree planted today is not only a new source of life, but also a commitment to safeguarding our land, water resources, and efforts to combat climate change," emphasized Nguyen Duy Cong.