Abstract
Overthelasttwodecades,abroadallianceofdomesticandinternationalactors in
theLaoPDR havedevisedpolicyinterventionsontheissueof‘strengthening
customarytenure’.Theaimhasbeentoestablishlegalprotectionsfortherightsof
ruralcommunitiestoforest-landcommons, inthecontextofwidespreadenclosure
duetolarge-scalelandacquisitions.Securetenurerightswouldbe promoted
throughstrengthened participatoryproceduresforlanduseplanning,andthe
developmentofformalizationprocedures,withtheultimategoaltowardsthe
widespreadregisteringandtitlingofcommunalorcollectiveland.Despitepilot
innovations,progresstowardsthis goal hasbeenatbestintermittent.
i
Atthevillagescale,localprocessesassociatedwiththecommercializationof
agriculturecontinuetounfold.TheoutcomesofLaos’agrariantransition includea
widespreadenclosureofland both ‘fromabove’(throughstate-corporate land
acquisitionsforagribusinessandinfrastructureprojects), andtheprivatizationof
land‘frombelow’(throughsmallholderengagementsin boomcrops,andvillage land
leasesandsales).Whilecommercialinvestmenthas supported importantlivelihood
gainsformanyruralpeople,thiscombinationhasalsoledtoawidespreadsqueeze
inenvironmentalcommons acrossLaos.Inthiscontext,theprotectionofrightsto
customary villageforest-landcommonsisbothanimportantareaforlandpolicy,
andacomplexempiricalissue thatdefiesboilerplatepolicysolutions.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | At The Crossroads |
Editors | Pavin Chachavalpongpun |
Place of Publication | Kyoto |
Publisher | Kyoto University |
Pages | 121-128 |
Edition | 1 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-4-906332-45-8 |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |