A comprehensive study published in the journal Forest Policy and Economics reveals the profound impact of conservation and land use policies on the livelihoods and cultural heritage of indigenous communities in Northern Thailand. Researchers, led by Marco J. Haenssgen and his team, conducted a detailed narrative review, shedding light on how global environmental agendas, while crucial in addressing environmental degradation, often overlook the complex realities and rights of indigenous populations.
The study traces how conservation policies have historically been instrumentalized, leading to the dispossession and displacement of indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands. In Thailand’s diverse highland regions, these policies have often clashed with the traditional ways of life of various ethnic groups, such as the Karen, Hmong, and Akha, who have either inhabited these lands for generations or migrated more recently.
Modernization and development agendas in Thailand, heavily influenced by Western paradigms, have been at odds with the indigenous communities’ practices and rights. Western scientific knowledge, coupled with the drive for national modernization, has often led to these communities’ marginalization of traditional agricultural practices and lifestyles.
Conservation efforts in Thailand have sometimes been contradictory, aimed at protecting and exploiting natural resources. Establishing the Royal Forestry Department and subsequent legislation like the Forest Protection Act have increased state control over forests, often at the expense of indigenous communities’ rights and livelihoods.
In response to these land use transitions, indigenous communities have had to adapt their livelihood strategies. Many have been forced to abandon traditional practices, with new economic opportunities emerging only for a few. This adaptation has often resulted in a deeper integration into the capitalist economy, necessitating shifts in economic activities towards more market-oriented approaches.
However, these shifts have brought new risks and challenges. Indigenous communities have faced economic and financial vulnerabilities, with a loss of land and traditional ways of life. This has led to a more significant gender, cultural, and social imbalance within these communities, affecting their ability to cope with these changes.
Despite these pressures, indigenous communities in Thailand have shown resilience and adaptability. They have formed networks and alliances, challenging stereotypes and asserting their rights and identities. These efforts have been crucial in negotiating with the state and the public, often using tourism as a platform to demonstrate their environmental stewardship and cultural heritage.
The relationship of these communities with their land and natural environment has also evolved. Traditional practices have changed under the influence of conservation policies, with communities asserting their connection to the environment through new and revived rituals. These practices serve as a means of negotiation and asserting rights, helping maintain spiritual links to their natural environment.
This study highlights the need for inclusive conservation policies that recognize and respect indigenous communities’ rights, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of the impacts of conservation and land use policies on these communities, emphasizing the importance of their active participation in shaping these policies.
Citation: Haenssgen, M. J., et al. (2023). Transforming Land and Lives: The Impact of Conservation Policies on Thailand’s Indigenous Communities. Forest Policy and Economics, 157, 103092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2023.103092
