On February 18, 2023, in Cat Tien National Park (National Park), the launch of the Professional Trap Removal Team took place. This is an activity in sub-components 7, 8, and 9 of the USAID-funded “Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation” (VFBC) project. The program was attended by the Board of Directors of Cat Tien National Park and units under the Park, VFBC Bidoup – Nui Ba Project Management Board, representatives of WWF Vietnam, representatives of Tan Phu District Forest Ranger District and Cat Tien District, representatives of People’s Committee of Nam Cat Tien, Nui Tuong communes, Dak Lua, Ta Lai, Phuoc Cat 2, and members of the Professional Trap Removal Team. The Professional Trap Removal Team was established with the core task of carrying out patrols, removing traps, preventing acts of encroaching on forest resources. Besides, the team will also carry out other unscheduled activities related to forest protection when required. The objective of the project when establishing a professional trap removal team with the main composition of buffer zone people is to encourage the community to participate directly in patrolling, forest protection, and conservation of local biodiversity values.The establishment of a professional trap removal team will help reduce the pressure on forest protection patrols for forest rangers, which are always short compared to the large forest area. 
The establishment of the Trap Removal Team helps reduce the pressure of forest protection patrols for forest rangers, which are always short compared to the large forest area. Director of Cat Tien National Park – Mr. Pham Xuan Thinh especially emphasized the responsibility of propaganda and mobilization of people of the professional trap removal team. According to Mr. Thinh, patrolling the forest and removing traps is only part of the task. More importantly, the team needs to contribute more voices to advocate and propaganda to people to reduce illegal exploitation of forest resources, minimize negative activities to biodiversity resources. This is the measure with long-term, sustainable results. 
The 9-member Trap Removal Team, mainly people in buffer zone communes of Cat Tien forest, will support to improve the effectiveness of forest protection and trap removal for forest management boards in the VFBC project area. The membership structure of the team is an important factor, demonstrating the community spirit participating in forest protection. In the coming time, the achievements of the Trap Removal Team will significantly contribute to improving biodiversity by reducing direct impacts on wildlife and other biodiversity values.
Minister Le Minh Hoan: forests are not state-owned; The forest is ours
22/03/2023
During the meeting with communities of buffer zone communes and forest protection contracts, Minister Le Minh Hoan shared that forests are not of the State
