To Save Our Future by Ourselves
In Laos, about 70% of the workforce engages in farming, with many living in and blessed with abundant nature. Resources held in common, such as land, forests, and rivers form precious bases for villagers’ lives. However, because of the overdevelopment of dams and plantations without necessary consideration for these villagers’ lives, these lands have been unfairly seized and the forests exploited. In addition, the villagers themselves have unintentionally caused the loss of forests by cultivating cash crops to make money easily, jeopardizing rural people’s livelihoods.
Activities in 2023
Collecting basic information about the villages and introducing a common resources management system
In five villages, alongside the villagers, we collected basic village information (population, history, products, village borders, etc.), and information about the problems of development. In four villages, we compiled the information gathered into booklets and documents, and shared it through banners and tables. This process involved discussions with villagers recognizing that the common resources so valuable as sources of food and income are decreasing little by little. We introduced fish conservation zones in two villages, where the use and management system of common resources was necessary. In four villages, we started activities to prevent environmental impact and soil deterioration from chemical fertilizers and agricultural chemicals.
Giving banners with village’s information and a map
Legal training and action against overdevelopment
We made 2024 legal calendars to distribute legal knowledge, in cooperation with other NGOs and government offices. We improved the 2024 edition by making QR codes available, as smartphones have become widespread. About 30 people from central, provincial, and district government offices attended a launch event for the new legal calendar. There we highlighted the practical need for our supportive activities; not only for formalities such as documents, but also including concrete examples of using our activity guidelines for managing common resources. As we used not only the calendar but also videos in legal training sessions, the villagers participated and listened more seriously than ever.
A group photo taken at the event distributing the legal calendar
Results & Challenges
Continuing support for the management and use of the common resources, and consideration of effective measures
In the two villages where we introduced fish conservation zones, there were instances when villagers themselves discussed and reinforced patrols. In one village, we found a case in which villagers themselves negotiated with a company and rejected their proposal for a soil extraction project. It is expected that, in the villages where the system of managing common resources has been introduced, villagers will manage the system in a sustainable manner. In addition, we carried out a mid-term evaluation of the project, which found that there were achievements in the villages where we had focused on implementing activities. We also discussed effective measures, frameworks, and the period of activities for each situation. We will continue to consider and formulate effective measures and activity frameworks, including improvements to related policies and systems.
Discussion of the fish conservation zone signboard
Activity Plan for 2024
Support for the villagers’ management and use of common resources in rural areas
Since our current two-year project was delayed due to the signing of an activity contract with the local government, we will implement the activity through the end of the fiscal year 2024, based on the mid-term evaluation. We will continue to support introducing systems to manage and use common resources. We will also support legal trainings about how to deal with issues of development and try to improve policies and systems by sharing good practices with related government offices. If overdevelopment is found in the target area, we will take action with business operators and the related government offices to mediate the situation. In addition to the current projects, we will formulate projects after the fiscal year 2024 and make a proposal of advocacy initiative that we will implement hereafter. Regarding the advocacy initiative, to prevent overdevelopment we are planning to disseminate information about the current economic development situation in Southeast Asia and to cooperate with the people who are affected.
Making natural fertilizer to prevent soil degradation
The launch event for the new legal calendar
JVC staff members hearing from the villagers
Voices and Messages
Now I have the confidence to protect my village
Kampha, Village Chief, Nangyong Village
For us villagers, the Sekong River is a main artery that supports our daily lives, just like a supermarket. But nowadays, with the population increasing, there are more illegal fisheries using electrical shocks and explosives, which have caused a major decrease in the population of aquatic animals. In December 2022, we set up a fish conservation zone in part of the Sekong River, because we would like to conserve the river for our children and the next generation. Following many discussions with JVC, we have successfully managed the protection area by patrolling twice a month. As a result, there are many fish to be found in the river. We will continue to manage this conservation zone. I appreciate JVC.
I hope for a world where villagers’ wills are respected
Houmphan Sengchanthong, Project coordinator
I joined JVC in 2004. I have witnessed our forests in Laos, which are more abundant than in other countries, being destroyed year by year due to increasing population and development by foreign companies. These are serious problems, especially for the villagers who rely on foods from the forests and land. We have challenged those problems through various measures such as legal trainings, introducing community forests and fish conservation zones, and soil improvements. But, still, we have many challenges in building a sustainable society. To conserve Laos’ common resources, which are at risk, we need to work together closely with the villagers and staff members in advancing efforts and helping them analyze issues, considering what they face and what they should do in the future.
The author: Upper left
[Source: JVC Annual Report 2023]
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