TITLE:
Spiritual Forests—A Nature Conservation Model of Ethnic Minority Communities in Central Viet Nam
AUTHORS:
Tran Huu Nghi, Nguyen Quynh Thu
KEYWORDS:
Forest Conservation, Ethnic Minority, Spiritual Forest
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
17,
2024
ABSTRACT: This paper aims to analyze and evaluate a model of forest conservation and management of ethnic minority
(or indigenous) people in central Vietnam, often referred to as the spiritual forest.
These forests, called sacred forest or ghost forests by the ethnic minority people
in Thua Thien Hue province, have existed for a long time among forest residents.
However, they have recently declined, both in quality and quantity, due to various
factors, including changes in society, economy, environment, and perception, among
other reasons. Based on research conducted in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province
with household interviews, group discussions, and field surveys, we find that spiritual
forest retains religious and human significance. They are also often among the last
remaining natural forests left due to deforestation by human activities. The research
results indicate challenges that conservation of spiritual forest may face, while
giving recommendations derived from communities for sustainable forest development
and conservation in the region.