Protected areas and local people's participation in natural resource management for sustainable development : A case study in Nam Ha protected area, Luang Namtha, Lao PDR | |
| Author | Phaivanh Phiapalath |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AC-99-24 |
| Subject(s) | Natural resource management areas--Laos--Luang Namtha Sustainable development--Laos--Luang Namtha |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AC-99-24 |
| Abstract | To conserve the natural resources in an area is to maintain the sustainability and density of biodiversity. To provide a food supply sufficient for human consumption and wild animal food requires identifying local stakeholders, and ensuring that they understand and participate in a positive way in the conserving efforts. Within the study site area being considered here, there are three main ethnic groups: Lao Thueng, Lao Lu and Lao Hai; despite different cultures, activities and expectations, this research found that local people did not differ greatly in te1ms of their knowledge, uses and management of natural resources. Local communities relied highly on natural resources as main resources of cash from forest products. Lao Thueng in Ban Nalan have tried efforts to establish an institution for conserving the remaining natural resource in the area. The findings reveal that local community participation of natural resource management was strictly protected in their village area. Local communities' efforts to manage the natural resources in the area began by Lao Thueng people - Middlelander at Ban Nalan. This ethnic group has some their traditions to conserve natural resources particularly sacred forest. They strongly enforced their rules because they gained that some food resources have increased. Ban Si Oudom - Lao Leu who Lowlander belief in Buddhism, have also strongly conserved these natural resources in their area. Lao Leu people did not have their own rule but they enforce depending on local and national regulations against the poachers. Lao Hoi people at Ban Nam Goy - Highlander group but this community likes to be located along rivers with opium smoking. They weakly control their area because they thought that outsiders who come from the town are more powerful and intelligent. The outsiders have high techniques and tools for hunting, fishing and harvest. Thus, the area has more pressure from outside. Though they are less powerful in enforcing poachers but they usually report to the government officers when someone entered the area. They are not expert in hunting whereas Lao Thueng people are expert in both hunting and conservation. Women of these three ethnic groups were reporters because when they see some poachers in the area they usually report to the head of the village, militias and village committees. Local communities have an incentive to conserve natural resources because they reap benefits from this process. It is also to increase their food supply and limit outsiders from sharing the food resources in an area. Insiders had much more participation of natural resource management than outsiders because outside people only come to harvest these resources and set up some constraints with villagers. Even though the guns have been handed over in the area but some outside people are still authorised to use weapons which made villagers feel threatened because they have no guns for control or protection, excepted militia's guns. The ten most important wild animals and non-timber forest products listed by these communities have different value levels. Villagers understand about animals' behavior, including the pressure on them and alternative for management. According to the time line, most wild animals have declined over time and their habitats are further from the village but some animal's habitat such as Serow (Capricornis sumtraensis) has not changed because this animal has existing habitat but its population has declined. The main pressure on the area from outside people particularly wildlife hunting whereas inside people try to conserve their area, they mostly harvest forest products. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AC-99-24 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural, Conservation and Rural Development (AC) |
| Chairperson(s) | Remigio, Amador A.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Mather, Robert;Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Japanese Sponsor; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |