UNDERSTANDING FROM POLICY TO REALITY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF FOREST LAND ALLOCATION: INSIGHTS FROM TWO CASE STUDIES IN QUANG TRI PROVINCE, VIETNAM
Vol. 129 No. 3C (2020), Hue University Journal of Science: Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol. 129 No. 3C (2020)

UNDERSTANDING FROM POLICY TO REALITY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF FOREST LAND ALLOCATION: INSIGHTS FROM TWO CASE STUDIES IN QUANG TRI PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Hue University Journal of Science: Agriculture and Rural Development
https://doi.org/10.26459/hueuni-jard.v129i3C.5814
Published 2020-07-13
Nguyen Hoang Khanh Linh
International School, Hue University
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1551-0575
Nguyen Quang Tan
International School, Hue University
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2442-6359
Nguyen Thi Dieu Loan
International School, Hue University
Nguyen Le Dai Trang
Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province
Nguyen Vu Bao Chi
International School, Hue University
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Keywords

forest land allocation
ethnic minority
land policies
Quang Tri
rural livelihoods

Abstract

Forest Land Allocation (FLA), initiated in 1992, aims to protect the forest and develop rural livelihoods. Although this policy has significantly contributed to the gaps between intentions and outcomes regarding forest and land policies in Vietnam, numerous problems and scepticism remain on the benefits for communities, especially ethnic minorities. Thus, this study aims to assess the implementation of FLA in the upland areas of Quang Tri province, thereby giving appropriate suggestions for the local government and indigenous people. With in-depth interviews and keynotes, a survey of 70 local people was carried out at Vinh O and Vinh Ha communes of Vinh Linh district in 2018. The results show that Vinh Ha commune has been implementing the policy since the beginning of 2018, with 5.2 ha of residential land allocated to 51 individuals/households; each received 0.1 ha on average. Meanwhile, Vinh O commune has completed the implementation of FLA to ethnic minorities since 2016. More specifically, 520.5 ha of land was allocated to 243 local people with an average of 2.14 ha/household. Of these, 55 households received 0.5–1.9 ha on average, and 188 households were allocated from 2 to 2.5 ha. Though both local authorities and communities have expressed great efforts, the implementation of land forest allocation policy in Vinh Linh district has been facing challenges because of limited human capacity, complex geography, biased economic policies, and overlap among organizations. They believe that flexibility should be accompanied by control and inspection by increasing stakeholder responsibility.

https://doi.org/10.26459/hueuni-jard.v129i3C.5814
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