The guardian of Chu Yang Sin Awards - Recognising the contributions of the forest guardians
Aiming 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, Vietnam Wildlife Action Center - WildAct Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam National Parks and Nature Reserves Association (VNPPA) and the Chu Yang Sin National Park Management Board, successfully organized the "Guardians of Chu Yang Sin" award for the first time.
Chu Yang Sin National Park is one of Vietnam's biodiversity hotspots that has 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 fact 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 call for 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, 08 exceptional individuals and teams (four individuals and four teams) were recognized and awarded a total value of over 100 million VND based on their excellent achievements in previous years.
Mr. Y Noi Long Ding, an ethnic minority group Forest Ranger, was recognized with the Exceptional Ranger Award and stated, "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 this house's natural treasures.”
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 tales. The narrative of the Forest Ranger profession attracts a larger audience.
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 tales. The narrative of the Forest Ranger profession attracts a larger audience.
Mr. Loc Xuan Nghia, The Director of the Chu Yang Sin National Park Management Board, stated, "We are honored to work with our partners to organize this valuable award. The Guardian of Chu Yang Sin Awards is more than just an award ceremony; it is also a wonderful spiritual gift. This is a chance for us to share our inspỉational stories with the community so that they may better understand and appreciate the job that the rangers do to protect the biodiversity here."
Mr. Bui Xuan Truong, the Secretary of the Vietnam Association of National Park and Protected Areas (VNPPA), shared his worry about several problems and hazards encountered when doing forest conservation work for a variety of reasons: “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.
The winners of the Exceptional Rangers - Guardians of Chu Yang Sin Awards are:
Mr. Y Noi Long Ding (Forest Ranger Station No. 7) and Forest Ranger Officer Do Van Lam (Forest Ranger Station No. 10) - were awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Rangers Awards.
Mrs. Le Thi Ha (from the Scientific Research Department) was awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Science Officer Award.
Mr. Nguyen Van Luong (Deputy Director of Chu Yang Sin National Park) was awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Achievement Award.
The winners of the Exceptional Ranger Teams - Guardians of Chu Yang Sin Awards are:
Ranger Stations No. 5, No. 4, and No. 10 were awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Ranger Teams.
The Community Conservation Team was awarded in recognition of the Exceptional Patrolling Team.