In early June, while on routine patrol, the Forest Protection Unit No.4 discovered eight local residents from Huổi Chạ 1 village, Nậm Vì commune (now Mường Nhé commune), preparing to enter the special-use forest to search for six stray buffaloes and cows near the Vietnam-Laos border.

To help the villagers understand that grazing livestock in protected forest areas is prohibited by law, the team thoroughly explained the relevant regulations. They allowed the villagers to retrieve their livestock under supervision and required them to sign a commitment not to repeat the violation.

Giàng A Thái, head of the Forest Protection Unit No.4, shared: “Our team is responsible for over 9,723 hectares of special-use forest and forest land. The vast area, dense river systems, and many trails make our work particularly demanding. Besides raising awareness and persuading people not to enter the forest to harvest timber or graze animals illegally, we conduct regular patrols to detect and prevent violations. Our constant presence in these areas plays a crucial role in protecting forest resources.”

The Mường Nhé Nature Reserve is one of Vietnam’s largest and most important protected forests. It preserves extensive primary forests and boasts rich biodiversity, serving as a critical genetic bank for rare flora and fauna. The reserve is home to 976 plant species (including 33 endemic and 128 rare species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book and IUCN Red List) and 458 wildlife species (97 of which are of high conservation value).

Recognizing the importance of forest protection to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity, the Reserve’s Management Board has made it a strategic priority. Establishing and effectively deploying a specialized forest protection force is a key part of this effort.

Diệp Văn Chính, Director of the Management Board of the Mường Nhé Nature Reserve, stated: “Our forest protection force includes 53 personnel (24 civil servants and 29 contract workers), organized into 7 teams, each assigned to specific zones. Their duties include patrolling, inspecting, preventing illegal logging or exploitation, implementing fire prevention measures, and reporting on forest protection status. They are the frontline force in managing and safeguarding over 46,730 hectares of forest land.”

When violations are discovered, the force is responsible for drafting preliminary reports, securing the scene and evidence, and promptly notifying the authorities with jurisdiction to process the case accordingly.

Thanks to the diligence of this dedicated team, from 2020 to 2025, the Management Board identified and facilitated the resolution of 31 violations; prevented 651 unauthorized entries into the forest; and confiscated and handed over 10 handmade guns, 4 gas-powered guns, and 3,954 explosive items to the relevant authorities. Compared to the 2015-2020 period, damaged timber volume decreased by 91%, and affected forest area was reduced by 12.11%.

Despite their critical role, the forest protection force in Mường Nhé faces numerous challenges. The 205 patrol routes across the Reserve are primarily rugged trails along steep stream valleys. Each route may require 1 to 4 days of travel on foot. Difficult terrain and a lack of mobile signal make it even harder to promptly report violations or transport people and evidence when needed.

Diệp Văn Chính further noted: “Although their work is clearly arduous and hazardous, it has yet to be officially recognized under the list of heavy and toxic occupations. Moreover, their authority is limited to preliminary reporting, which hinders swift enforcement, especially in remote areas with no phone signal. This underscores the urgent need to revise their benefit schemes and expand their enforcement powers. Only then can their role be truly effective.”