The Son La Forest Protection and Development Fund’s branch in Muong La has enhanced cooperation with communal authorities and management boards of hamlets to raise locals’ awareness of and responsibility for forest protection and development, and the efficient use of forest environmental service fees. At the same time, they have reviewed and determined the areas eligible for forest environmental service payment, thus serving the preparation of dossiers for them.

Over the past four years, the branch has collaborated with the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies in Muong La to make forest environmental service payments through bank accounts. Over 34.1 billion VND (1.43 million USD) worth of forest environmental service fees has been paid to 2,861 forest owners so far this year, on a total forest area of 62,530 hectares.

Muong La has forests located within the Da River Basin with several small hydropower plants, resulting in relatively high forest environmental service fees. With the funding, hamlets have built many infrastructure facilities like roads, cultural houses, water supply facilities, and sports grounds.

The forest environmental service payment policy in Muong La has proven effective as it creates livelihoods for local residents, tightens their close bonds with forests, and contributes to reducing violations of legal regulations on forest protection and development./.