China News Service, Huzhou, January 12 (Shi Zinan, Qian Lan, Shen Tingting) At 5 am, the Guangyao Forest Area of ​​Changxing County State-owned Forest Farm in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province was shrouded in mist, majestic and quiet.

In a low bungalow at the foot of the mountain, forest ranger Dong Xiaola wore a camouflage uniform, a hatchet tied to his waist, a ranger's red armband, and a water bottle and dry food were ready to go up the mountain.

  Thus, for 41 years, Dong Xiaola has adhered to his mission in the depths of the mountains and fulfilled his green dream step by step.

Photo by Dong Xiaola and Wu Zheng

  Guangyao Forest Area covers an area of ​​more than 8,000 mu, most of which are national key ecological public welfare forests, and it is also the largest forest area in Changxing.

Dong Xiaola is responsible for the highest mountain in the forest area, with a net elevation of 400 meters. The mountain road is winding and rugged, and there are overgrown vegetation. A hatchet must be used to clear a path during inspections.

  "Visit the mountain and protect the forest, it's not a matter of just walking around. In addition to careful observation, we must also do a good job in the fire prevention ideological work of the villagers around the mountains and forests." Mountain inspection, Dong Xiaola did not dare to slack in the slightest.

  While doing a good job of forest protection, Dong Xiaola is also actively doing a good job in the prevention and control of forest pests and diseases. Every year, during the season of pests and diseases, he pays special attention to observation, keeps records and reports in time.

In the past few years, no major forest pests and diseases have occurred in the forest area under his management.

  At an age when he should have struggled, he resolutely settled deep in the mountains, guarding the mountains in front of him with one heart, and the down-to-earth Dong Xiaola never had the thought of fleeing.

Dong Xiaola is eating dry food on the mountain Photograph by Wu Zheng

  "It takes a hundred years to plant a sapling, grow into a strong tree, and become a forest. But a fire can turn the mountains into nothing in an instant." Dong Xiaola, who knows this truth well, always comes during the fire season. , Insist on patrolling the mountains six or seven times a day, and regularly carry out forest fire prevention propaganda to farmers around the forest area.

  In the past, villagers went up the mountain to cut trees, hunted, and burned paper money. After Dong Xiaola's persuasion, there were fewer and fewer animal traps on the mountain and paper money became flowers.

  There is also a circle of trees planted around the forest protection house less than 30 square meters, which is the "Zhejiang Nan" planted by Dong Xiaola 10 years ago.

When it was first planted, it was a sapling as thick as a chopstick, but now it has grown to be one person tall.

Every day, he carried the bucket and watered the trees one by one.

  "For the outside world, it is impossible to say that it is not attractive." Dong Xiaola said, but he still couldn't let go of his love for the mountains and forests.

Someone once said that he was "stupid" because the forest protection staff were not well-paid and the working conditions were poor.

  But Dong Xiaola didn't care, he just wanted to guard the mountain.

In his view, the mountains are full of hope.

  "Watching the small trees grow into big trees, I feel contented." Dong Xiaola said. The green mountains and green waters make him feel good every day. "The mountains are a place where I can sleep peacefully. Katayama forest is my life's wish." (End)