Station chief 20 years silently protecting the forest

Mr. Le Van Phuong (right), Head of Thanh Vinh Forest Protection Station, and staff at the station inspect the forest. Photo: Xuan Anh

Under the guidance of the leaders of the Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board, we traveled more than 10km to visit Thanh Vinh Forest Protection Station. Receiving us in a simple house, pouring water for guests, Mr. Phuong told us about his memories associated with the work of forest management and protection. Through the conversation, we learned that since he was in elementary school, Mr. Phuong dreamed of becoming a forestry officer. Therefore, after graduating from high school, he registered for and was admitted to the Faculty of Agriculture - Forestry - Fisheries (Hong Duc University). In 2005, after graduating, he worked at the Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board. With his youth and enthusiasm for the assigned work, Mr. Phuong actively stayed close to the grassroots, did a good job of forest management and protection; mobilized households contracted to plant and protect forests to actively participate in forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting. In 2020, Mr. Phuong was appointed as the Station Chief of Thanh Vinh Forest Protection Station.

Thanh Vinh Forest Protection Station is located in Thanh Tan Commune (Nhu Thanh). The station is responsible for managing and protecting 3,155.2 hectares of forest, including more than 1,000 hectares of natural forest and more than 2,000 hectares of planted forest in Xuan Thai, Thanh Tan, and Xuan Phuc communes (Nhu Thanh), with more than 400 households contracted to plant and protect forests. As the station chief, Mr. Phuong has developed and implemented many solutions to manage and protect the forest area assigned to the station. At the same time, he has strengthened inspection and prevention of violations of the law on forest management, protection and development; supervised the exploitation and transportation of forest products by individuals and households in the area in accordance with the law. Directed station staff to actively follow the grassroots, propagate and raise people's awareness in forest management and protection; Guide contracted households on how to plant and care for forests and actively participate in forest fire prevention and fighting.

Mr. Le Van Phuong, Station Chief of Thanh Vinh Forest Protection Station, said: “The forest area we are assigned to protect is very large, and it is difficult to access to carry out monitoring and inspection tasks, while the number of station staff is small. However, the station still arranges forces to regularly patrol and protect the forest. When the weather is harsh and forest fires are likely to occur, the station assigns forces to be on duty 24/7 to detect and handle incidents promptly. Although the work of forest management and protection is hard and difficult, seeing the lush green forests and the improved lives of households contracted to plant and protect forests is the motivation for me and the staff at the station to overcome difficulties and successfully complete the assigned tasks.”

Thanks to the synchronous implementation of forest protection solutions, Thanh Vinh Forest Protection Station has achieved positive results, including the contribution of Station Chief Le Van Phuong. Over the past years, the newly planted forest area in the management board has been cared for according to technical procedures, growing and developing well; the income of people contracted to plant and protect forests has gradually increased. The existing protective forest and production forest areas have been safely protected, without forest fires.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Director of the Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board, said: Mr. Le Van Phuong is an exemplary officer, willing to take on difficult tasks. Thereby, he contributes to the Nhu Thanh Protective Forest Management Board in fulfilling its assigned tasks. With his contributions, Mr. Le Van Phuong has received many certificates of merit from various levels and sectors. Recently, he was awarded a certificate of merit by the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment for his achievements in forest management and protection.

Xuan Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tram-truong-20-nam-tham-lang-giu-rung-252581.htm