Since July 1, 2025, Điện Biên province has reorganized commune-level administrative units and dissolved district-level government, shifting to a two-tier model. This change in governance requires timely adjustments in the work of the forest ranger force.

To ensure continuity of operations, the Sub-department of Forest Rangers instructed ranger stations to reassess the communes and wards under their jurisdiction and propose an appropriate number of rangers for each area. Ranger stations along newly drawn boundaries were directed to hand over documents, records, and forest status reports, enabling new management units to gain a clear understanding of their assigned areas. New sustainable forest management plans, along with updated fire prevention and firefighting strategies, have been drawn up to align with the new communes and forest owners.

At present, the Sub-department oversees 10 inter-communal ranger stations. Each manages between three and six communes or wards, covering forested areas ranging from 18,689 hectares to 81,913 hectares. The Sub-department has required that assignments be reasonable and balanced, with priority given to complex, high-risk communes with larger forest areas.

The Mường Chà Ranger Station currently manages over 41,000 hectares of forest. While total forest area has not changed significantly since the administrative merger, boundaries have shifted substantially. Formerly responsible for Sá Tổng, Mường Tùng, and Huổi Lèng, the station has now transferred these communes to the Mường Lay Ranger Station, while taking on three new areas: Si Pa Phìn, Phìn Hồ, and Mường Pồn. According to head ranger Lường Văn Toàn, the unit now oversees five communes, each staffed with two to four rangers. To prevent disruptions, responsibilities have been clearly assigned, with rangers organized into clusters, each led by a designated officer to streamline coordination, information flow, and command.

Meanwhile, the Nậm Pồ Ranger Station has seen the number of communes under its management reduced from 15 to five. At the same time, its jurisdiction has shifted: the station has taken over Quảng Lâm (formerly of Mường Nhé district) while transferring Si Pa Phìn and Phìn Hồ. This adjustment increased its managed forest area from over 65,000 hectares to nearly 69,000 hectares. To adapt, the station has reviewed and updated coordination agreements with commune authorities, police, military, border guards, and mass organizations, ensuring suitability under new circumstances. It has also advised on reorganizing fire prevention and forest protection teams at village level.

Nguyễn Đình Lương, head of the Nậm Pồ Ranger Station, noted that under the two-tier government model, commune People’s Committees now assume expanded roles in forestry management, including forest classification, surveys, inventories, and planning for forest type conversion. The station is therefore working with all five communes under its jurisdiction to develop new plans and regulations for effective coordination in forest management and protection.

According to the Sub-department, staffing is the greatest challenge. By 2030, the ranger force will be cut by 20 percent compared to 2025 levels, a reduction of 42 staff. Meanwhile, Điện Biên aims to raise forest coverage to 48 percent, equivalent to about 458,000 hectares. This means each ranger will, on average, be responsible for more than 4,700 hectares.

With rising responsibilities, larger forest areas, but fewer staff, the challenge is significant. To cope, the Sub-department is promoting the use of information technology and equipment to save time and effort, reduce workload, and improve efficiency. Training and capacity-building programs are being prioritized to enhance the professional skills of rangers, while strengthening the capacity of forest owners.

Forest protection has never been an easy task, particularly in the early stages of administrative reorganization. Yet, through early preparation and comprehensive measures, forest management in Điện Biên has remained stable and continuous. These efforts are contributing to stronger state governance in forestry under the new two-tier government model.