Tan Phu Protective Forest  Management Board: Overcoming difficulties to protect the forest

In recent years, the Tan Phu  Protective Forest Management Board has taken various simultaneous measures to contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of forest management and protection.  However, forest conservation efforts remains filled with mounting challenges and pressure, requiring more feasible measures.

Timely response against violations

In 2007, the former Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee issued a decision to restructure the Tan Phu Forestry Enterprise into the Tan Phu Protective Forest Management Board. In 2019, it approved the merger of the 600 Protective Forest Management Board into Tan Phu Protective Forest Management Board. Since then, the unit has ensured its continued and stable operation.

Currently, the Tan Phu Protective Forest Management Board oversees more than 18,000 hectares of forest and forestry land; of which, over 13,000 hectares (roughly 74%) is natural forest, including valuable timber species such as trac (Dalbergia), cam (Diospyros), and go (Sindora), along with wildlife like deer, wild pigs, jungle fowl, monkeys, and snakes. Planted forest areas also include high-value timber species such as teck.

According to Nguyen Le Anh Tuan - Director of the Tan Phu Protective Forest Management Board, the forest protection force is still understaffed, while the managed area spans mountainous terrain with hilly landscapes, steep slopes, and complex stream systems.  Due to the vast area under management and the abundance of many valuable forest resources, forest conservation efforts face numerous challenges and pressures.

 The area has also seen illegal incursions to exploit, hunt, and set traps for wildlife, often employing increasingly sophisticated methods.

The specialized rangers from the Tan Phu Forest Protective Management Board on patrol. Photo: An Nhon

In response to such situation, the Tan Phu Forest Protective Management Board has ramped up various measures, focusing especially on routine patrols and timely intervention against illegal activities.

“Most forest patrol routes are dirt roads, which become dangerously slippery during the rainy season. The forest protection force of the unit must patrol 30 - 40 kilometers daily, both by motorbike and on foot. Given the nature of the work, our unit must divide forces to patrol regularly and conduct ambushes both day and night in the forest to ensure the completion of assigned tasks.” said Tuan.

Thanks to its recently drastic efforts in forest conservation, the Tan Phu Forest Protective Management Board has promptly illegal activities, including the illegal transportation of forest products.

Specifically, on May 21, 2025, rangers of patrol unit in sub-areas of 170 -173 spotted a man identified as N. from Dinh Quan Commune (Dong Nai) illegally transporting timber on a motorbike. Upon inspection, the team found three logs of dried teak. When asked to bring the logs and vehicle to the Subdivision I station for verification, N. refused to cooperate. The team proceeded to seize all items and coordinate with Forest Protection Division 4 to investigate and handle the case according to legal procedures.

“Our unit achieved positive outcomes through a multi-pronged approach. As a result, the forest area has remained stable, with no major wildfires or significant deforestation. Legal violations have decreased significantly each year, particularly cases involving illegal logging and land encroachment. Interagency cooperation has improved, helping us resolve many cases promptly.” shared  Tuan

Efforts made to protect the forest

Despite the achieved results, the forest management and protection work still face numerous difficulties and challenges. The board currently oversees 2,455 households contracted to cultivate nearly 3,678 hectares of forestry land. Issues persist with  storing construction materials, building temporary houses and structures on forest land, excavating pits, and digging up forest soil. Encroachment on forest land is becoming more sophisticated, and individuals are increasingly sneaking into the forest to hunt, set traps, and transport illegal forest products, with the situation becoming more complex. Especially, these individuals are very aggressive and ready to resist when law enforcement officials carry out their duties.

According to Ngo Van Vinh, Director of the Dong Nai Forest Protection Sub-Department, in the first half of 2025, 96 violations of forestry regulations were detected and processed, 71 cases fewer than the same period in 2024. Of these, 66 cases incurred administrative penalties, and two were transferred to police for criminal investigation. The remaining cases involved unclaimed forest products with no identified violators.

According to Tuan, faced with these complex challenges, the unit is rolling out initiatives and solutions. These include intensified public awareness campaigns integrated into community meetings and direct outreach, going door to door to educate residents on forestry laws and policies; patrols and surveillance are now conducted around the clock to maintain forest security.

In addition, the unit will keep investing in equipment and transportation for the ranger force and ensuring that rangers receive training in self-defense and emergency response. The unit also works closely with local authorities and security agencies while applying technology in forest monitoring, installing surveillance cameras, deploying drones, and using GPS tracking systems to strengthen oversight and response.

By An Nhon

Translated by Minh Hanh – Thu Ha