Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) projects and indigenous people : comparative study between Vietnam and Nepal

Abstract

The thesis investigates how Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) projects involve forest-dependent people, especially indigenous people, in Vietnam and Nepal by utilizing a community-based approach. At the state level, the Government of Vietnam actively promotes REDD+ project implementation, and the international expectation towards Vietnam is high. However, Vietnam has problems of land rights of indigenous people, which negatively affect REDD+ implementation in terms of community participation. On the other hand, Nepal is said to be a successful case of community forest management. The government of Nepal provides a large portion of the forest management rights to local communities, which is proven to be effective in the REDD+ projects. The thesis compares the two cases and makes recommendations to achieve equitable REDD+ implementation, especially for Vietnam.