Forest and Forestry Ecocultural System in Central Highlands, Vietnam

Abstract

Abstract: In the mindset of ethnic minority communities in Vietnam, Northeastern region, Northwestern regions and Truong Son-Central Highlands refers to a forest-related & cultural ecosystem. Especially, both living space and social space of the ethnic minorities in Truong Son - Central Highlands are deeply forest-related. Researchers often call it "mountainous culture", "highland culture" or "upland culture". Similar to many other ethnic minority groups in the North East and North West, those in Central Highland have long “eaten” the forest, have their livelihood based on forest, and shelter in wild highlands without any previous human footprints. They believe that deep forests, high mountains, and watershed forests are sacred, where gods situate in and therefore needed to be strictly protected.
 However, wars, reclamation, economic development policies, consequences of migration and other reasons have significantly destroyed the forestry ecocultural system in Central Highlands, Vietnam. Ecological environment has been ruined rapidly while cultural spaces have also been seriously damaged. This article aims to examine roles of the forests in the preservation of traditional cultural values ​​of the Central Highlands, and from which, provide recommendations to ensure green and sustainable development for local communities in the Central Highlands in particular and Vietnam in general.
 Keywords: Forestry ecocultural system, forestry village, sustainble development for the Central Highlands.