IMPACTS OF THE BENEFIT SHARING MECHANISM (BSM) POLICY IMPLEMENTATION ON SOCIO-ECONIMIC ASPECTS OF LOCAL PEOPLE AT THUONG NHAT COMMUNE IN NAM DONG DISTRICT, THUA THIEN HUE PROVINCE - CASE STUDY AT BACH MA NATIONAL PARK
Abstract
The Benefit Sharing Mechanism (BSM) based on the principles of co-management has been accepted at different levels. The BSM policy defined with the main purpose of maintaining and enhancing the environmental and soci-economic value of the special use forest, for the present benefit and future generations. The BSM has spread in policy makers and among the scientists. At present, there are a few studies investigated the real perception of this policy by local people and stakeholders in Vietnam. The paper aims to evaluate impacts of the benefit sharing mechanism (BSM) on lives, livelihood of local people in a case study at Bach Ma National Park (NP), central Vietnam. Evaluation methods based on household interview, in-depth interview, village meeting, focused group discussion at 7 targeted villages of Thuong Nhat commune in Nam Dong district, Thua Thien Hue province, and workshop with stakeholders at commune level. After two first years of BSM implementation, the results showed that i) the pilot BSM policy has influenced significantly on income and income structure of the whole community. ii) the local people’s awareness of rights, responsibilities, forest protection and NTFPs sustainable use has increased considerably, iii) this policy has also had positive impact and enhanced the awareness of local people on actions in cooperation with the park rangers in co-managed forest. It is recommended that all targeted villages must be integral to any successful BSM policy implementation. At present, they indicate a willingness to participate as custodians and sustainable users of the NTFPs at Bach Ma NP and this should be encouraged.
References
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