Policy effects for forest conservation and local livelihood improvements in Vietnam: a case study on Bach Ma National Park

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn 2012, the Vietnamese Government enacted Decision 24, which aimed to promote forest conservation and local development, incorporating a community support program in the national park buffer zone to enhance the livelihoods of poor households while reducing forest exploitation. In this program, villages submit an annual plan based on the needs of the local people. This study aims to clarify efficacy and limitation of the program for forest conservation and local livelihood improvements, focusing on local people’s participation in policy decision-making process in national park management. Interview surveys were conducted at the Bach Ma National Park office and 5 relevant commune offices of Nam Dong District in Thua Thien Hue Province, and on 95 households in the buffer zone of Bach Ma National Park. As the results, the villages’ governance ability was a critical factor in the success or failure of conservation policy, because the villages were given high local autonomy in planning and operations. There was a case of inappropriate policy selection in which non-encroachment households were selected and received benefits, and thus the aims of the policy were not achieved. It is important for the authority to consider not only the demands of the local people but also their management abilities to use subsidies effectively. To achieve conservation and good management of the park, bottom-up decision-making is important; however, appropriate and supportive involvement in the decision-making process by the authority is essential, along with the understanding and cooperation of the local people.