A millennium-old irvingia malayana tree, known as wild almond, or kơ nia in Vietnamese, has been recognized as a national heritage tree for better protection.

The 1,230-year-old tree is among 162 centuries-old plants having been acknowledged as national heritage trees in Ma Da Forest, located in Binh Phuoc Province.

The People’s Committee of Dong Phu District under the province on Saturday cooperated with the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE), Truong Tuoi Group JSC, and other units to organize an acknowledgement ceremony for a group of 162 national heritage trees in Sub-Zone 379 in Ma Da Forest, situated in Tan Hoa Commune.

The recently-recognized national heritage trees were classified into 15 species, with 117 of them being over 500 years old.

Eighteen others are more than 900 years old, seven have surpassed the age of 1,000 years, while one stands at some 1,230 years old.

The ceremony was meant to celebrate the significance of a population of Vietnamese heritage trees in the forest, while instilling a sense of pride and a commitment to responsible forest protection among residents.

The event was also aimed at honoring several individuals, organizations, and veterans for their significant contributions to forest protection.

Dr. Tran Van Mieu, vice-chairman of the VACNE, said that after 14 years of considering and assessing documents related to the recognition, he concluded that the population of 162 centuries-old trees in Sub-Zone 379 is the biggest heritage tree group in Vietnam.

The acknowledgement not only leveled up their historical and cultural values but also advanced the cause of environmental protection and the preservation of biodiversity, said Tran Tue Hien, chairman of the Binh Phuoc administration.

Hien called on provincial departments, agencies, rangers, and residents to jointly protect the population of these heritage trees, and popularize the province’s biodiversity to spur ecotourism.

At the ceremony, on behalf of the state president, Hien awarded a third-class labor medal to Pham Cong Truong, a member of the War Veteran Association of Tan Binh Ward in the provincial city of Dong Xoai, for his contribution to forest preservation and charity work.

Many years ago, Truong and his wife founded B58 Services Trading Production JSC, which has brought together war veterans and their children and relatives to protect over 512 hectares of natural reserves in the sub-zone. 

Besides, the Binh Phuoc chairman granted certificates to several rangers in Dong Phu District, locals and officials in Tan Hoa Commune, and the firm for their efforts in forest protection.

On this occasion, Pham Huong Son, chairman of Truong Tuoi Group JSC, donated VND2 billion (US$82,560) to the province’s study promotion fund and the fund for the poor.

He offered financial support of another VND2 billion to disadvantaged households and veterans in the province to help them enjoy a warm and jubilant 2024 Lunar New Year holiday, which falls in February 2024.

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