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| At the event (Photo: WildAct) |
The award aims to recognize the efforts and devotion of the Forest Ranger force, the specialized forest protection force, and the Community Conservation Team (CCT) at Chu Yang Sin National Park.
Chu Yang Sin National Park is one of Vietnam's biodiversity hotspots that have to be conserved. With a total size of around 60,000 hectares, the Chu Yang Sin National Park only has 100 forest rangers, which means that each ranger will be responsible for 600 hectares of forest. This demonstrates the enormous demands and challenges that the forces face.
As a result, the "Guardians of Chu Yang Sin" award was created to honor the remarkable efforts to preserve the environment and biodiversity of the Annamite Range. Over the three months of nomination, more than 30 applicants and nominees have submitted astounding figures regarding their accomplishments in their relentless efforts to maintain the safety of Chu Yang Sin forest.
Following a strict procedure, eight exceptional individuals and teams were recognized and awarded a total value of over 100 million VND based on their excellent achievements in previous years.
Specifically, Mr. Y Noi Long Ding from Forest Ranger Station No. 7 and Forest Ranger Officer Do Van Lam from Forest Ranger Station No. 10 were awarded the Exceptional Rangers Awards.
Mrs. Le Thi Ha from the Scientific Research Department was awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Science Officer Award. And Mr. Nguyen Van Luong, Deputy Director of Chu Yang Sin National Park, was awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Achievement Award.
The Ranger Stations No. 5, No. 4, and No. 10 were awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Ranger Teams; and the Community Conservation Team was awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Patrolling Team.
"As a M'Nong person, Chu Yang Sin is like my home. Because this is where you can develop and progress. Being a Forest Ranger allows me to show my love for the Chu Yang Sin forest. Today, obtaining the Forest Ranger award motivates me even more to carry out my duties and do my best to maintain its natural treasures,” Mr. Y Noi Long Ding.
Furthermore, the award provides a chance for organizers to acknowledge, encourage and promote awareness among Vietnamese citizens about the critical role of rangers in conservation efforts, as well as exchange experiences so the narrative of the Forest Ranger profession attracts a larger audience.
Mr. Bui Xuan Truong, the Secretary of the Vietnam Association of National Parks and Protected Areas (VNPPA), shared his worry about several problems and hazards encountered in forest conservation work: “Forest management and conservation is a critical and urgent responsibility for special-use and protected forests. However, this action encounters obstacles and challenges, just as rangers and forest protection personnel do. As a result, forest conservation and protection awards are critical for on-time encouraging and rewarding organizations and people who have made excellent contributions to forest management and protection operations.”
Dr. Trang Nguyen, the Founder and Executive Director of WildAct Vietnam, hopes that in the future, similar initiatives from many other units will assist the Forest Ranger profession to be acknowledged more accurately and equitably by the public,
Forest rangers and specialist forest protection personnel faced many challenges and prejudices from the public. These awards hopefully will create more motivation for forest rangers, knowing they are being supported, appreciated and that they are not alone in this challenging working environment, he said./.