Tay Giang has nearly 92,000 hectares of natural forest with the largest number of “Heritage Trees” in Southeast Asia. The local forests contain diverse flora and fauna, with a high coverage rate of 74%.

The district is carefully preserving its heritage trees, particularly the rhododendron forest on top of K'Lang mountain at an altitude of more than 2,000m.

The forest is considered a treasure of the Co Tu people and is one of the few remaining primeval rhododendron forests in Vietnam. More than 430 rhododendron trees there that are hundreds of years old have been recognized as Vietnamese heritage trees. 

Bhling Mia, Secretary of the district Party Committee and Chairman of the district People’s Council, said it was a good decision to sign forest protection contracts with the locals, who have a strong sense of community and view forest protection as the duty of all villagers.

The certificate of recognition of Tay Giang's 421 Po Mu trees as Vietnamese Heritage Trees.

He said forests ensure the development of ethnic minorities in western Quang Nam province, contribute to economic development goals, support national defense and security, and help preserve cultural values.

Bhling Mia said they believe that while the forests exist, Tay Giang will develop, and if the forests disappear, Tay Giang’s growth will slow. Forest management, protection, and development have become a top priority. 

Forest protection activities are popularized through cultural activities. At the beginning of a new year, the Co Tu people hold a forest worshipping festival to raise awareness about forest management and protection.

Tay Giang district is balancing the exploitation of forests and tourism development to protect the forests while improving people's lives.

Ta Lang and Por'ning hamlet, Pomu Heritage Ecotourism Village, Loc Troi Homestay, and Aur cultural and ecological hamlet have been chosen to build a role model for green tourism. 

The Tay Giang administration has a policy to encourage growing medicinal herbs. The model of growing “ba kich” (morinda officinalis) and “dang sam” (acanthopanax) between mountain fields under the forest canopy is being replicated. 

Briu Po, the village patriarch of Lang commune, said many households have become more prosperous by growing medicinal herbs.

He explained that as morinda officinalis is a vine with each segment like a sweet potato, it it is easy to plant and grows quickly.

“Four or five clusters of the plant can produce 1 kg of tubers worth 21 USD a kilo. We earn more than 4,100 USD a year. In my hometown, there are no crops that earn 21 USD a kilo. 65-70% of local families have escaped poverty thanks to growing this plant,” said Briu Po.

Developing a forest carbon credit market is a global trend. Thanks to good conservation of natural forests, Tay Giang district and Quang Nam province can sell carbon credits for a good profit, said Ho Quang Buu, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

“A preliminary calculation of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and absorption by carbon credit shows that Quang Nam still has a large volume left. We plan to sell our carbon credit for 4.2 million USD. Quang Nam has many medicinal plants and plans to become a medicinal center of the central and Central Highlands region,” said Buu.

Tay Giang district is a bright spot in forest protection and development in Quang Nam province. It has not only protected its forests, but has exploited them for local economic and social development.

(All photos are provided by localities in Quang Nam province.)