The Laos Customary Tenure (CT) alliance, composed of government and civil society groups, is piloting on-the-ground initiatives to secure and strengthen customary tenure rights for forest-dependent communities in Lao PDR. Complementing efforts to build a strong legal and policy framework for customary tenure, the CT Alliance, led by MRLG, is implementing practical steps to pilot new instruments, including Village Land Use Planning (LUP), Village Forest Management Planning (VFMP), and land surveys in seven villages. These initiatives are guided by recent policy developments in Laos, in particular, National Assembly Resolution 57 and Prime Minister’s Order 20 (on the recognition of land use rights in forestlands), that have opened the door for more robust tenure rights recognition in state forest areas through concrete actions, mainly land registration, titling, and the issuance of forestland use certificates, all while adhering to existing land and forestry laws and promoting sustainable land management practices.
Customary tenure refers to the traditional, often undocumented, land management systems that have governed land use, access, and inheritance for generations within communities. MRLG’s work in Laos over the past decade aims to ensure that the customary tenure rights of Lao people, particularly smallholders and women, are recognized, formalized, and protected.
In its third and final phase, MRLG’s customary tenure work in Laos emphasizes putting policy into practice. Strengthening and securing land rights empowers communities to sustainably manage and utilize forest resources, as supported by Article 120 of the 2019 Forestry Law. This is crucial for ensuring communities can continue traditional activities within designated forest areas while contributing to conservation. These activities build upon previous phases’ work, including national legislation development, inter-ministerial dialogues, and the creation of guidelines for land administration.
Khok Savang Village Visit Reinforces Alliance’s Commitment
A recent Project Management Committee (PMC) visit to Khok Savang Village in Xaybuathong District, Khammouane Province, highlighted the contribution of these on-the-ground efforts to securing villagers’ customary tenure rights. On January 23, 2025, a high-level delegation, including the Vice Governor of Xaybuathong District and senior representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the World Bank, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), visited Khok Savang Village to assess the pilot project’s progress. Clarifying and securing land tenure rights is especially necessary for Khok Savang as it is located in the Dong Phou Xoi Production Forest area. The village has a population of 333 ethnic Phouthai, who were displaced by armed conflict in the 1960s and rely on the forests and surrounding areas for their livelihoods.
The delegation received a briefing on the village’s history and visited key land use areas, including agricultural land, water source protection forests, and livestock grazing areas. Dr. Leevameng Libouapao, Deputy Director General of the Department of Land , Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, discussed how Prime Minister’s Order 20 strengthens the legal framework for securing the villagers’ land rights.
The PMC visit reinforced the project’s commitment to implementation, creating a space for dialogue among stakeholders to ensure the initiative aligns with local needs and national priorities.
