Journal Article

Acceptance of New Land-Use Activities by Hmong and Khmu Ethnic Groups: A Case Study in Northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Kobayashi, Natsuko, Phongoudome, Chanhsamone, Hiratsuka, Motoshi, Bounithiphonh, Chaloun, Sichanthongthip, Phonevilay

2022

Overview

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) to address climate change has historically included little evaluation of how heterogeneous local communities respond to REDD+ interventions and new land-use activities. We assessed differences in the acceptance of new land-use activities as a function of livelihoods of the Hmong and Khmu ethnic groups in northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where REDD+ was implemented between 2011 and 2018. Our socioeconomic data, collected by a questionnaire-based survey and focal group discussions, showed that the Hmong more effectively incorporated support from REDD+ than the Khmu because the Hmong owned grazing land. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the capabilities and characteristics of each ethnic group when implementing new land-use activities (i.e., designing and implementing alternative livelihoods) within a target area to ensure distributional equity in heterogeneous communities. Such a consideration should be included in land-use policy and also be a part of the social safeguards in the land-use sector.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Acceptance / Agricultural production / Case studies / Climate change / Deforestation / Developing countries / Emissions / Emissions control / Forest degradation / Forest management / forests / Hmong people / Households / Land degradation / land policy / Land use / LDCs / Livestock / Local communities / Minority & ethnic groups / nationalities and ethnic groups / Questionnaires / Rangelands / reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation / Rural areas / surveys