Protecting the "Green lung" of Southeast region

In the first six months of 2026, forest management and protection, along with forest fire prevention and control, in Dong Nai City came under considerable pressure due to extreme weather and prolonged heat, while forest encroachment, illegal exploitation of forest products, and wildlife poaching remained complex.

Forest rangers from the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve conduct extended patrols deep inside the forest.

However, thanks to the proactive efforts of forest rangers and forest management authorities, and to close coordination among government agencies and local administrations, forest protection remained effective, helping safeguard the ancient forests that serve as the "green lung" of the Southeast region.

Overcoming challenges to protect the forests

Weather conditions in Dong Nai during the first months of 2026 were particularly severe. An extended dry season significantly increased the risk of forest fires. At the same time, the flowering and fruiting season of the ‘uoi’ tree (Scaphium macropodum) attracted many people attempting to enter protected forests illegally to harvest its valuable fruit, heightening pressure on forest resources.

According to Tran Dinh Hung, Head of the Forest Ranger Division at the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, rangers were required to perform multiple duties simultaneously, including forest protection, safeguarding ‘uoi’ trees, and maintaining round-the-clock readiness for forest fire prevention and suppression. "Despite handling numerous responsibilities at once, our staff have maintained regular patrols, closely monitored the forest, and promptly detected and dealt with violations," Hung said.

During the first half of 2026, the reserve's Forest Ranger Division, in coordination with local authorities and law enforcement agencies, carried out numerous patrol and enforcement operations. These efforts resulted in the removal of nearly 2,000 wire snares, 77 steel-jaw and spring traps, more than 500 meters of loop and net traps, 83 squirrel traps, and 22 illegally constructed forest shelters. Rangers also conducted educational outreach and instructed 831 individuals to leave the forest upon detecting unauthorized entry; they confiscated and handed over 10 makeshift firearms and 5 bullets to competent authorities for processing according to regulations.

According to the reserve's Forest Ranger Division, during the 2026 ‘uoi’ fruit harvesting season, the unit developed a dedicated protection plan, coordinating with local authorities and functional forces to step up patrols and man checkpoints along key routes and hot spots. As a result, authorities ordered approximately 1,400 individuals to exit the forest for illegal entry, with 218 cases signing commitments not to repeat offenses.

By mid-May 2026, authorities had initiated legal proceedings against 19 forestry-related cases involving 22 offenders. Administrative fines were imposed in 17 cases, totaling more than VND23 million. Two additional cases, one involving illegal possession and use of weapons and another involving assault against a public official that injured a forest protection officer, were referred to investigative authorities.

One notable incident occurred in late April when rangers at Suoi Rang Forest Ranger Station discovered an individual cutting branches from a ‘uoi’ tree inside a special-use forest to collect its fruit. After establishing the case file, competent authorities issued an administrative fine of VND750,000 and educated the offender on the illegality of his action. The violator subsequently complied with the penalty decision as prescribed.

Forest protection efforts at the Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board have also faced significant challenges because of harsh natural conditions. According to To The Manh, Deputy Director of the management board, the forest borders the former Binh Thuan Province (now part of Lam Dong Province) and is influenced by the hot, dry climate of the South-central region. Extended drought and intense heat have caused sections of planted forests to wither, while maintaining a consistently high wildfire risk. Nevertheless, under the close guidance of the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Dong Nai City People's Committee, the Forest Protection Sub-Department, local authorities, and relevant agencies, the board has successfully maintained effective forest management, protection, and development.

Since the beginning of 2026, the unit has detected 45 forest protection violations, working with local rangers to process cases in accordance with regulations and directly engaging with contracted forest households to address violations. Notably, no forest fires, land encroachments, or disputes have occurred within its jurisdiction for several consecutive years, including the first half of 2026, while forest cover has remained stable.

Other forest management agencies, including Cat Tien National Park, Bu Gia Map National Park, and the Tan Phu Protection Forest Management Board, have likewise reported encouraging results in forest protection, contributing to overall stability across the region.

Strengthening coordination to preserve existing forests

According to Ngo Van Vinh, Director of the Dong Nai City Forest Protection Sub-Department, alongside intensified patrols and inspections, the agency has focused on advising authorities on forestry planning and guiding forest owners in developing site-specific forest protection and wildfire prevention plans.

Officials from the Dong Nai City Forest Protection Sub-Department survey and identify forest locations across the city. Photo by An Nhon.

During the first six months of 2026, the sub-department conducted 69 regular and surprise patrols and inspections. It also received and acted on information from local sources to promptly prevent violations of the 2017 Law on Forestry. During these inspections, functional forces detected and handled 108 violations, including 25 cases of illegal forest exploitation, 13 cases of deforestation, 14 cases of illegal transportation of forest products, and 39 cases of breaches of forest protection regulations. Other violations involved wildlife and the management of forest product records. The unit issued 118 decisions imposing administrative penalties on 118 individuals, totaling nearly VND495 million in fines.

According to Vinh, a noteworthy achievement is that Dong Nai has not experienced any particularly serious forestry violations causing major damage to forest resources during the period. Most cases were detected and addressed through close cooperation among forest rangers, specialized forest protection forces, and local governments.

For the remainder of 2026, the forestry sector will continue implementing comprehensive measures to protect existing forests while maintaining the city's forest coverage rate at 24.51%. The Forest Protection Sub-Department will continue advising authorities on completing the review and zoning of special-use, protection, and production forests, preparing the second-phase forestry planning map, and submitting sustainable forest management plans for the remaining forest management units to the City People's Committee for approval.

Meanwhile, the Xuan Loc Protection Forest Management Board will continue implementing its 2021–2030 Sustainable Forest Management Plan, strengthen patrols and field inspections, reinforce community-based forest protection groups, expand public awareness campaigns on forestry laws, and work closely with local authorities to address violations at the grassroots level.

To date, forest management and protection across Dong Nai remain firmly under control. The achievements recorded during the first half of 2026 provide a solid foundation for continued efforts to safeguard the "green lung" of the Southeast region in the years ahead.

By An Nhon – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho