2013 Volume 4 Issue 2 Pages 82-88
Large scale economic development (LSED) has undergone rapid policy and sectoral reform in Cambodia. LSED is expected to generate revenues to support economic growth and development at both macro and micro levels. Yet, it is questionable about benefits and risks of such natural resource-consumptive and extractive development for the host areas, especially indigenous people (IP). IP communities in Northeastern (NE) Cambodia are vulnerable to such development. This region has been put under agricultural economic land concession, forest concession, and mining concession. The conversion of forestlands and farmlands into commercial cash-crop and agro-industry plantations as well as logging and mining zones has led IP communities to have limited access to land and natural resources. This caused to reduced livelihood capabilities (resources, knowledge and skills, activities, and protective security) and distressed cultural diversity and integrity and socio-demographic fabric of IP. By using sustainable livelihood approach/framework (SLA/F), this paper aims to investigate IP livelihood problems and identify LSED opportunities and strategies in Northeastern Cambodia and their impacts on IP livelihoods.
