Forestland Encroachment Factors of the Villagers Located Inside National Protected Area in the Central Part of Laos

Laos has experienced enormous deforestation and forest degradation since 1975. Despite years of diligent effort by the government of Laos to decrease deforestation, the trend has not reversed. Rather, there have been further increases in certain parts of the country at various degrees. This is evident by the growing concern about forestland encroachment within National Protected Areas (NPA), which have been designated as reserves for biodiversity conservation. To reduce forestland encroachment within NPAs and halt the decline of forest area in Laos, it is important to analyze the factors that contribute to forestland encroachment. This paper analyzes influencing factors of forestland encroachment by the local people within NPA, in the central part of Laos. Our study utilized both primary data from field surveys and secondary data from government official reports, as well as used previous research papers to explore the factors of forestland encroachment. Logistic regression model was then applied to analyze the factors of forestland encroachment in Phou Hin Poun NPA. The results of the study indicate that the forestland encroachment inside this NPA is strongly associated with villagers’ high demand for cassava growing, power balance between villages, and the number of household members. On the other hand, other factors such as educational level, legal familiarity, economic status, and the proximity of the owner’s land to forest did not significantly influence forestland encroachment on the study site. This study provides basic information to the relevant authorities who are responsible for taking effective measures against forestland encroachment inside the NPA, in Laos. The findings and knowledge gained from this study can be used by policy makers to solve the current issue of forestland encroachment as well as forest management in other countries with similar conditions.