GLA-ToC-VN-CH -Inclusive and sustainable forested landscape governance in the Srepok River Basin in Central Highlands Landscape in Viet Nam

The Green Livelihoods Program in Viet Nam works in the Srepok River Basin in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam. The Central Highlands straddle five provinces and represent a distinct agro-ecological region in Viet Nam. The Srepok river flows through four of these provinces in Viet Nam before it continues into neighbouring Cambodia. The area was chosen for several reasons. First, the Central Highlands are one of the 7 key agro-ecological regions of Viet Nam, with a wide variety of land-use types such as agricultural production (especially agro-commodities such as coffee, rubber, tea, cacao, pepper, cashew, etc.), forestry plantations, animal husbandry, irrigation systems, hydro-power plants, protected areas, watershed protection forest, production forest, and residential areas. Secondly, the region faces major challenges in natural resources governance as a result of rapid expansion of intensive agriculture that contributes to the destruction of natural forests and pressure on other ecosystems: the Central Highlands are rich in biodiversity but many animal and plant species are threatened. Thirdly, the Vietnamese Government has selected the Central Highlands as one of two key regions (besides North-West region) in Vietnam in need for intensive investments toward sustainable development.