The Nà Pen area is recognized as one of the commune’s largest regions of old-growth forest, boasting substantial timber reserves. However, driven by the need for wood to build homes, livestock shelters, and firewood, coupled with low awareness among some residents and lax management, the forest in Nà Pen has faced years of rampant exploitation. Local people have taken chainsaws and machetes to illegally log timber and clear forest land for agricultural fields.

For example, in mid-2011, loggers exploited a land reclamation project for wet rice cultivation to illegally fall approximately 5 hectares of natural forest, including trees decades or even centuries old. In early 2019, Nà Pen once again emerged as a trouble spot for illegal deforestation, with dozens of trees, some with diameters ranging from 20 to 55cm, being cut down without permission. In 2022 alone, the area saw seven cases of illegal deforestation.

To combat this, authorities and local agencies have ramped up efforts through intensified propaganda, increased patrols, stricter oversight, and firm enforcement to curb violations against forest resources in Nà Pen.

One day in early May, we visited Nà Pen village, where more than 100 residents had gathered at the village cultural house to learn about forest protection laws. Trần Minh Quân, Deputy Head of the Điện Biên Phủ city’s Forest Ranger Division, delivered a concise, relatable, and easy-to-understand presentation. He explained regulations on preventing deforestation, forest fire prevention and control, and clarified what constitutes illegal forest encroachment or destruction. He also helped the villagers distinguish between the three types of forests and outlined which areas are permitted for planting.

“These educational sessions on forest protection, development, and fire prevention play a vital role in changing people’s behavior and awareness about forest conservation. We focus on tailoring practical content and using diverse, engaging methods to ensure villagers can easily grasp and support our efforts,” said Quân.

In late 2022, following community outreach, the people of Nà Pen agreed to allocate a portion of their forest environmental service funds to construct a forest protection checkpoint at the headwaters of the Nà Pen forest. This checkpoint provides shelter for patrol teams, offering a place to rest or take cover from the rain during their missions.

Lê Trung Hòa, a forest ranger responsible for Nà Nhạn commune, shared: “Since the checkpoint was built, patrolling and monitoring the headwaters of the Nà Pen forest have become far more effective. In the past, patrols were limited to a single day, making it hard to thoroughly oversee the area. Now, patrols can extend into the next day, and team members feel more at ease resting at the checkpoint. This has allowed us to expand our coverage.”

The Nà Pen community, made up of 254 households and 1,265 people, has been entrusted with managing and protecting over 824 hectares of protected forest. The Nà Pen forest is a mixed ecosystem, home to a variety of species including bamboo, chestnut, and other large timber trees like vối thuốc (Schima wallichii Choisy). To strengthen forest management, the village established 12 forest protection and fire prevention teams, each consisting of 20 to 22 members. These teams conduct patrols, either independently or in collaboration with forest rangers and local organizations. With so many dedicated teams, patrols take place daily, swiftly addressing any threats to the forest. For instance, in April, a villager was caught encroaching on forest land while clearing it for farming, damaging over 200 square meters of protected forest. The violator was fined VND 5 million and ordered to restore the forest to its original state.

Vàng A Tống, head of Nà Pen village, reflected: “In the past, our forest was repeatedly violated due to limited awareness among residents and a lack of diligence and unity in patrol and management efforts. But after attending numerous educational sessions, witnessing the benefits of forest protection in other villages, and recognizing the consequences of deforestation, our community’s awareness and sense of responsibility have grown tremendously. In 2024, there have been no cases of illegal deforestation in Nà Pen. The incident in April was dealt with promptly, and the violator was strictly penalized according to the law.”

Protecting the forest in Nà Pen, as well as in other remote areas of the province, remains a challenging endeavor. While the involvement of local authorities is critical, the role of the community is just as essential. Raising awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility among residents are key to preventing illegal logging, exploitation, trade, and transport of forest products. Alongside this, timely recognition and encouragement from authorities for households actively engaged in forest management are vital to sustaining community participation. Only then can the full potential of each resident’s contribution to forest protection be realized.