Effect of Livelihood Capitals on Livelihood Strategy Selection of Forest-dependent People in Upland Areas of Bac Kan Province

Abstract

     The aim of this study was to assess the situation of livelihood capitals as well as their impact on the strategic livelihood alternatives of forest-dependent people in upland areas of Bac Kan province. The data were collected through directed interviews from 261 households living near forests in the districts of Ba Be and Na Ri. Descriptive and comparative statistics, ordered logit model and student t-test were used in the study. The results revealed that degree of forest reliance of the households was high. The stronger livelihood capitals and higher income households tended to select the low forest-dependent strategy. In contrast, the high forest-dependent strategy was selected by the households with lower income and limited livelihood capitals. To restrict access to forest resources for protecting and maintaining forest area, the state should adopt measures to reduce reliance on the forest, while improving the livelihood capitals, especially human capital for the people.