NPA Vietnam’s Green Day in October 2024

On 4 October 2024, as part of NPA Vietnam’s Green Day activities, the NPA Hue team, along with staff from the Hue Union of Friendship Organizations (HUEFO) and a project officer from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Vietnam, participated in a study tour to the Bac Hai Van Protective Forest in Lang Co town, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province. This 10-hectare area is the site of the “Transformation of Indigenous Tree Seed Forest” model, which is being implemented as part of WWF-Vietnam’s project on sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. The protective forest is crucial for preserving the natural ecosystem, restoring native forests, and aiding in climate change adaptation.

NPA Hue group picture — NPA Hue group photo with the forest rangers at the welcome board of the WWF Vietnam Project

Mr Hung - WWF staff introduce the project — Mr. Tran Quoc Hung (white shirt, in the middle), Director of the Project Management Board, introducing the activities of the WWF project to our team.

During the visit, the team was introduced to various indigenous forest tree species such as Senna siamea, Sindora tonkinensis, Tarrietia javanica, Parashorea chinensis, and Chukrasia tabularis, along with some of the animal species inhabiting the protective forest. The group also had the opportunity to speak with staff from the forest management board to learn more about the technical challenges of preserving seed forests and the measures taken to protect the forest from threats. One of the key challenges faced by the forest rangers is encountering explosive ordnance (EO) left over from wartime during forest patrols, posing significant risks to their safety. Phosphorus munitions, in particular, are a major concern for the staff, as they are one of the main causes of forest fires.

"Whenever smoke rises from a patch of forest, we suspect with 90% certainty that it is phosphorus EO," said Mr. Binh, a forest patrol officer. "Previously, whenever we encountered explosive ordnance, we used to dispose of them by throwing them into the stream. However, after attending the NPA's training course on EO risk reduction, we gained a deeper understanding of the associated dangers and risks. At present, whenever we find EO, we mark the coordinates and notify the specialized agency", he shared.

Learning by checking tree information — Vo Thi Lanh, NPA Hue staff, learning about the project's seed species, which was provided through QR codes.

The NPA Green Day study tour not only enhanced the NPA Hue team and HUEFO's comprehension of the significance of the seed forest model and the protection of the protective forest but also heightened awareness about the duty to safeguard nature and adapt to climate change, as well as the responsibility to protect and restore lands ravaged by war. Through this trip, the members gained a more profound understanding of the impact of the EO, which not only affects the lives and safety of local residents but also damages the ecosystem and hinders conservation efforts for rare flora and fauna.

EO reported — Two exploded ordnances (Rocket PG7 and 60mm HE mortar) were reported by the Bac Hai Van Protective Forest rangers to the NPA Hue team during the visit. NPA Hue team will coordinate with the Forest Management Board to plan for the disposal in the following week.

NPA Vietnam extends its sincere thanks to the governments of Norway, the United States, and the Federal of Germany for funding our work in Vietnam. NPA Vietnam remains committed to engaging in future green initiatives, preserving nature, and supporting communities in Vietnam.