Protect the Forest – Protect the Village

As part of activities celebrating World Wildlife Day (March 3), PanNature collaborated with local authorities to organize a community outreach program titled “Protect the Forest – Protect the Village” in several villages of Van Ho commune (Son La province). The activity aimed to raise local awareness about the importance of forests to community livelihoods, while encouraging collective efforts to protect the habitat of the Northern white-cheeked gibbon—an endangered primate species living in this area.

The program was held at the community cultural houses of Pa Cop, Lung Xa, and Ta De villages, with the participation of local authorities, forest rangers, and around 20 households from each village. The sessions focused on helping participants better understand the connection between forests and water sources, agricultural land, landslide prevention, and the survival of wildlife in the region. Through interactive games, open discussions, and visual presentations, villagers reflected on how the forest has changed across generations and shared their own experiences and stories connected to the forest.

A special feature of the program was that the entire session was conducted in the Hmong language, facilitated by PanNature’s field staff, Mr. Lau A Thanh. Using the local language created a warm and familiar atmosphere, allowing villagers to comfortably exchange ideas, ask questions, and share their perspectives. As a result, conservation messages became more accessible and closely connected to the daily lives of the local community.

Through interactive activities, participants discussed actions that should and should not be done in relation to forests – from limiting forest clearing and avoiding hunting or wildlife trapping, to reporting violations to village leaders or relevant authorities. Stories about forests in the past, water sources, land, and wildlife helped many participants realize that protecting forests also means protecting the future of their own communities.

Participating households expressed strong consensus in working together to safeguard forests and protect the habitat of the Northern white-cheeked gibbon. The community also committed to supporting tree-planting activities, refraining from encroaching on natural forests, and accompanying PanNature in future forest restoration campaigns in the area.

Through conversations conducted in the community’s own language, the program helped strengthen awareness and motivate concrete actions to protect forests. It is expected to serve as an important starting point for upcoming forest restoration initiatives, contributing to the gradual recovery of forests in Vân H? and the expansion of habitat for the Northern white-cheeked gibbon – a symbolic primate of these mountain forests.

Some photos from the program: