The province is not only home to thousands of plant and animal species but also serves as a source of livelihoods, an ecological shield, and a vital natural resource for development. As climate change intensifies and socio-economic development pressures continue to grow, the province is making determined efforts to preserve this “green treasure” for present and future generations.

Điện Biên province has a natural area of more than 954,800 hectares. Of this, over 592,200 hectares are designated for forestry planning, accounting for approximately 62% of the province’s total natural area. The total forested area reaches nearly 434,650 hectares, the majority of which is natural forest, covering more than 427,700 hectares. The forest coverage rate stands at 45.52% and is expected to continue increasing in the coming years.

Thanks to its diverse terrain, distinctive Northwestern climate, and extensive forest resources, Điện Biên province is considered one of Việt Nam’s localities with the highest biodiversity value. Among its conservation sites, Mường Nhé Nature Reserve is regarded as the “green heart” of biodiversity conservation efforts. Covering more than 46,700 hectares along the border areas of Sín Thầu commune, Mường Nhé commune, and Nậm Kè commune, the reserve preserves many ecosystems characteristic of the Northwestern highlands.

The reserve is home to 1,086 species of vascular plants belonging to 178 families and nearly 460 animal species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Notably, 119 plant species and 113 animal species are listed as endangered and rare species requiring priority protection. Several species of high conservation value continue to inhabit the area, including the Northwestern black crested gibbon, the Bengal slow loris, the pygmy slow loris, and numerous other rare bird and reptile species.

In addition to its rich flora and fauna, the province has recorded 30 notable plant species, including 11 rare species listed in the Việt Nam Red Data Book, such as tree ferns, Điện Biên resin trees, ironwood trees, brown cho trees, black canarium trees, red-leaved guava species, lance-leaved oak species, chestnut species, Cinnamomum balansae, Fibraurea recisa, and Stephania species. Điện Biên province also possesses many valuable indigenous genetic resources, including Burretiodendron hsienmu, Cinnamomum balansae, Michelia balansae, and Parashorea chinensis. This diversity of ecosystems and genetic resources has created a valuable “biological bank,” contributing to ecological balance, environmental protection, and sustainable local development.

To safeguard these precious natural assets, functional agencies and forest management boards have maintained regular forest patrols and inspections over the years. They work closely with forest rangers, border guards, police forces, and local authorities to promptly detect and prevent violations affecting forest resources and wildlife.

According to Nguyễn Hữu Lợi, an officer of the Management Board of the Mường Nhé Nature Reserve: “Task forces regularly coordinate with contracted forest protection teams, organizations, and local communities to conduct forest patrols and inspections, especially in areas at high risk of violations related to forest protection and biodiversity conservation. At the same time, the reserve actively applies technology to monitor and assess changes in forest resources, helping improve management effectiveness, conservation efforts, and the sustainable development of forest ecosystems.”

Alongside patrol and control activities, the province has gradually modernized conservation work through the application of GIS technology, remote sensing, GPS positioning systems, and digital transformation in forest resource management. The development of biodiversity databases has enhanced forest monitoring, forest fire warning systems, and ecosystem supervision. In addition, surveys and monitoring programs for rare wildlife populations are conducted regularly. Numerous field studies have generated important new information on primates and other wildlife species, supporting long-term conservation efforts.

Beyond specialized agencies, biodiversity conservation across the province has increasingly benefited from the active participation of local communities. Through forest protection contracting programs, forest environmental service payment schemes, and livelihood development support initiatives, public awareness of the importance of forests has improved significantly.

Sừng Xạ Lòng, a member of the forest protection team in Đoàn Kết village, Mường Nhé commune, shared: “Every month, our village forest protection team organizes at least four patrols and inspections to promptly detect and prevent illegal logging activities while monitoring and protecting rare wildlife species living in the area. We understand that protecting the forest also means safeguarding water sources, agricultural land, and the peaceful lives of people in the village.”

Despite many positive achievements, biodiversity conservation in the province continues to face numerous challenges. Climate change is becoming increasingly complex; some wetland ecosystems are at risk of degradation; and pressures arising from socio-economic development, land-use conversion, and resource exploitation remain significant.

Recognizing biodiversity as an especially important resource for sustainable local development, Điện Biên province continues to implement comprehensive conservation measures in accordance with approved plans and the National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, with a vision toward 2050.

Priority is being given to the strict protection of natural ecosystems within the Mường Nhé Nature Reserve, Mường Phăng Historical and Environmental Landscape Forest, and other forests with high conservation value. The province is also focusing on restoring degraded ecosystems, developing biodiversity databases, strengthening surveys and monitoring of endangered and rare plant and animal species, and conserving and developing valuable indigenous genetic resources.

At the same time, the province will continue to promote the role of local communities in forest protection, maintain the effectiveness of forest environmental service payment policies, and support sustainable livelihoods for residents in buffer zones. Efforts will also be strengthened to control resource exploitation and land-use conversion while preventing illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking.

In particular, biodiversity conservation objectives will continue to be integrated into socio-economic development planning, ecotourism development, climate change adaptation strategies, and the province’s transition toward a green economy.

Amid the vast forests of the nation’s far western region, these woodlands are being preserved through the dedication of functional forces and the collective efforts of local communities. Protecting the green color of this biological treasure today means safeguarding invaluable resources for future generations, laying a solid foundation for Điện Biên province to achieve harmonious development between nature conservation and sustainable green growth in the years ahead.