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Promoting sustainable land use practices among the forest dependent communities: Case study of the Ra Du indigenous rice in A Luoi, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Vietnam

Abstract

Vietnam has been recognized as one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. It is reported with more than 13,200 floral species and about 10,000 faunal species identified in the terrestrial ecosystems of the country. It provides stability and resilience to the economy, especially agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, at the same time ensures food security for the people of the country. In addition, biodiversity is also an essential foundation for the livelihoods of many vulnerable communities in Vietnam. In fact, most of people living in the mountainous areas are ethnic minorities whose livelihoods are dependent in many ways on the forests. Yet, over recent decades, the natural resources systems in Vietnam have been deteriorating gradually due to the rapid and unsustainable development. In many parts of the country, unsustainable cultivation practices cause the conflict between food security and environmental deterioration leading to deforestation and forest degradation. Accordingly, the poor communities are especially more and more vulnerable due to increasing threats caused by climate change on their lives, their livelihoods and their food security.

Among efforts and interventions on the pathway to increasing forest protection and biodiversity conservation and at the same time increasing resilience for communities living in surrounding areas. This paper seeks to explore the possibility of applying low emissions land use practices toward livelihood sustainability for the poor communities that are forest-dependent as one of the solutions to address the mentioned issues through a case study of the Ra Du indigenous rice in A Luoi, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam.

Keywords: Biodiversity, forest protection, livelihoods, Vietnam

Contact Address: Thi Thuy Hong Do, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Hanoi, Vietnam, e-mail: Thuyhong.srcgmail.com