VietNamNet Bridge - ‘Than Sa’ is understood as a kind of mineral from God. Than Sa in the Vo Nhai district of Thai Nguyen province is an archaeological relic ranked by the state for national conservation.

In an effort to prevent illegal mineral mining and protect the primeval forests, Thai Nguyen provincial authorities have set up the Than Sa – Phuong Hoang Natural Reserve management board. 

Nguyen Quang Lich, director of the natural reserve, said on the first days after the reserve was established, he had to organize operations to the core area of the forest and to many caves and valleys to drive hundreds of illegal residents out of the forest.

In an effort to prevent illegal mineral mining and protect the primeval forests, Thai Nguyen provincial authorities have set up the Than Sa – Phuong Hoang Natural Reserve management board.

Now, the explosion of mines at illegal gold mining sites, and the noise from tree sawing and gunshots are no longer heard. However, Lich and his colleagues still have to work hard.

“It is just hollow words to call on people to respect the laws and not to deforest. People violate the laws partially because of their difficult living conditions. So, the forest will only be protected if people have stable livelihood,” he said.

Hoang Van Ly, a ‘famous’ poacher in Mong Lung hamlet in Thuong Nung commune, cannot remember how many wild animals he had killed. He had tried to kill as many animals as possible, and was always excited when animals got into his traps. But he suddenly gave up his hobby.

In early April 2012, Ly handed over 30 traps to the forest rangers’ unit in the Than Sa – Phuong Hoang Natural Reserve.

In late 2011, Hoang Van Chi, another poacher, handed over a live musk deer to forest rangers.

To help locals earn their living and to protect the forests, Than Sa’s managers decided to persuade people to afforest and protect the forests.

Trieu Tien Thang in Nghinh Tuong commune said all the 55 households in the hamlet now undertake the work of protecting the 774 hectares of forests.

Thang said locals now have jobs which bring money and encourage them to love the forests. 

The officers of the Natural Reserve’s management board have guided locals on how to develop an economy from forests, how to grow maize most effectively on sloping land and how to retain water in rice fields.

In the locality, many households grow ba kich (Morinda officinalis), a kind of herbal medicine with high value. The growers get seedlings, fertilizer and free technical training.

Hoang Van Mot in Nghinh Tuong commune said his family has one hectare of ba kich and has harvested 3 tons after three years of cultivation, worth VND240 million. He can earn VND80 million a year from ba kich garden.

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