Skip to content

Ecotourism as an Alternative to Upland Rubber Cultivation in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, Luang Namtha

Tourism arrivals in Laos continue to rise, reaching over one million people in 2005. It seems that visitors are primarily interested in the country’s natural and cultural attractions. There is concern now that forested lands used for community based ecotourism may be earmarked for conversion to rubber plantations. Since 2002, both ecotourism and rubber cultivation have become important economic activities in Luang Namtha province. This paper reports on the financial benefits that ecotourism is generating around the Nam Ha NPA, arguing that it generates financial benefits for local people while protecting the environment and culture of Laos. Rubber may provide less profit and negatively affects national biodiversity. It is concluded that ecotourism activities and rubber plantations can both be conducted viably, but not in the same immediate areas.

Data Resources (1)

Data Resource Preview - Ecotourism as an Alternative to Upland Rubber Cultivation in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, Luang Namtha

Additional Info

Field Value
Document type Advocacy and promotional materials
Language of document
  • English
Topics
  • Economic policy and administration
  • Environment and natural resources
  • Livelihood rights
  • Protected areas
  • Rubber
  • Tourism
Geographic area (spatial range)
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
Province(s)
  • Luangnamtha
Copyright No
Access and use constraints

The journal 'Juth Pakai' or 'new thought' was a development journal produced in Laos appears with the support of the UNDP in Laos. It appears to be an open source journal, however, it has not been possible to locate a online source outlining the copy-right terms or contents of the journal. It appears to be discontinued.

Version / Edition 8
License unspecified
Contact

Steven Schipani (sschipa@hotmail.com) is Senior Ecotourism Advisor to the LNTA-UNESCO Nam Ha Ecotourism Project. This paper was originally presented at the NAFRI/NAFES/NUOL Workshop on Smallholder Rubber Development in the Lao PDR (9-11 May, 2006). To read the workshop summary or other papers presented at the workshop, see www.nafri.org.la.

Author (individual) Steven Schipani
Publication place Vientiane, Lao PDR
Publisher UNDP
Publication date 2007
Pagination 5-17
Keywords agroforestry,ecotourism,trade offs
Date uploaded February 8, 2018, 10:47 (UTC)
Date modified December 9, 2018, 08:30 (UTC)