What Are the Effects of Devolution on Local Property Rights? A Case Study in Central Highlands of Vietnam

Abstract

"Rapid forest degradation and the failure of forest resource management by state forest agencies has pushed the local authorities in Dak Lak province seeking for an urgent solution to stop deforestation. Devolution of forest management, in which authority and responsibility for forest resources management are handed over to local users, has emerged as a feasible solution. Although devolution is seen as a radical innovative policy on forest and land resources and being strongly supported by the central government, expected outcomes of devolution are not easy to obtain, and translating devolution policies (the legal rights) into the rights-in- use is not an easy job. Factors hindering the legal property rights are poorly understood. "This study seeks to understand the effects of devolution on local forest property right changes. In particular, it seeks for an explanation why legal property rights do not work in practice after devolution. The study suggests that property right changes are complicated processes depending on various factors. Although devolution is seen as crucial innovative solution for management of natural resources, it does not automatically become working rights. The local rights often remain their dominant roles after devolution, shaping local forest management practices. The study suggests that understanding property rights request sophisticated visions. "This study is based on a three year research project on assessing impacts of devolution on local forest institutional change. This study has been conducted in two ethnic minority villages of the central highlands of Vietnam."