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Assessment of ecotourism’s contribution to biodiversity conservation and income of local people in Nalan Village, Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR
Thesis Abstract:
This study examined the condition of ecotourism as a strategy for improving local livelihood and biodiversity conservation activities in Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA), Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR. Nalan Village was selected as the study site. Focus group discussions were used to analyze the local participation where two groups—female (10) and male (12)—were selected as representation. The primary data on income were gathered from a total of 26 households in the Nalan Village. Secondary data such as statistical reports were gathered from local government and nongovernment institutions.
In Nalan Village, the community is active in carrying out ecotourism activities. The village organized the rotation system to allow all households to get involved in the project. It became a source of additional income for the households, thus making them satisfied with the economic benefits derived from the activity. By engaging themselves in ecotourism activities, villagers were persuaded to conserve their natural endowment through conservation agreement. Fish habitat reserve and regulated hunting activities were some of the concerns that Nam Ha NBCA can address through its policy. Moreover, protected forest along trekking trail also helped to prevent the damage of the local activities to ecotourism. However, the community had no conservation plan. This was not given support from ecotourism budget.
Ecotourism policies on participation have to be looked into within Nalan community. There were limitations on participation. The types of participation observed during the initial ecotourism project included manipulative, passive, and participation by material incentives. On the other hand, participation by consultation and functional participation were noted during the current project operation. Interactive participation and self-mobilization, which are considered the most important for successful participation, were not practiced.
It was concluded that although ecotourism can provide income to the local community, there were limitations to biodiversity conservation because of the from ecotourism for biodiversity conservation at the village level.
The study recommended that interactive participation in ecotourism and conservation should be applied to improve the local community ownership in ecotourism activity. To achieve this type of participation, the local government should continuously conduct capacity building, improve local tourism destinations, and set local conservation plan.