Training workshop on forest management Planning and Biodiversity monitoring for Ba Na communities in Dak Rong, Gia Lai

From July 16–18, 2025, PanNature organized a training workshop on forest management planning and biodiversity monitoring in three Ba Na villages — Kon Ktonh, Kon Kring, and Kon Hleng of Dak Rong commune, Gia Lai province — under the GLA2 Project.

The workshop brought together 60 Ba Na representatives from community development boards and forest protection teams of the three villages, along with PanNature staff. These communities are directly responsible for managing and protecting significant areas of natural forest, including community forests, forests contracted from the Commune People’s Committee, and forests under Kon Ka Kinh National Park.

For many years, local communities have carried out regular forest patrols; however, these efforts have mainly focused on detecting and preventing violations rather than monitoring biodiversity or recording and storing data. As a result, forest management activities have lacked a systematic and long-term approach.

The training aimed to:

• Enhance understanding of the importance of biodiversity monitoring in sustainable forest management.
• Introduce practical methods for effective patrol and monitoring planning tailored to local conditions.
• Build skills in recording, documenting, and storing data collected during forest patrols and biodiversity observations.
• Strengthen organizational capacity to operate community-based monitoring groups more proactively, systematically, and sustainably.

Mr. A Va from Kon Ktonh Village shared after the training:

Previously, we mainly went on patrols when assigned by the team leader, just to check for forest violations. We didn’t pay much attention to signs of wildlife or plant diversity, and results were reported orally without any record. Now that we’ve learned how to plan and document observations, it will be much easier for everyone to track and address issues.

Through this activity, PanNature aims to empower local communities to protect forests while conserving biodiversity — working toward a community-led, scientific, and well-organized monitoring system that supports both forest protection and sustainable livelihoods.

Some photos from the training: