Oulavanh Keovilignavong - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

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Papers by Oulavanh Keovilignavong

Poverty-environment discourse first emerged in the 1980s when developing countries' environmental... more Poverty-environment discourse first emerged in the 1980s when developing countries' environmental problems first gained world attention. Latterly, the discourse has been referred to as the poverty-environment nexus (PEN). But, the discourse surrounding PEN had its roots in much older debate. Today, in the 21st century, the majority of the developing countries' rural poor rely on natural resources for their survival. But, changes in their resources, either through natural disasters, private investment (often in the form of mining, energy or plantation projects), or their own exploitative activities, are leading to environmental degradation which, by extension, can force the rural poor into even deeper poverty. Many studies have shown that rapid increase in private investment exploits natural resources. Resultant income diversification to non-agricultural practices may result in either harmful or beneficial environmental impacts. In Laos, private investment has, in some cases, contributed to a degree of poverty reduction and some local livelihood improvement. In others, local villagers, especially the rural poor, have become victims of private investment. This thesis seeks to determine the relationships between investment, resources, poverty and PEN. Particular focus is upon both the negative impacts (the vicious circle) and the positive impacts (the virtuous circle) of PEN. The thesis makes a methodological contribution through its design and application of a multiscale research approach. Private investment shows a mixed pattern and uneven distribution. A Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) technique predicts that additional investment could either reduce or increase poverty and deforestation rates in different regions. The livelihood asset pentagons employed suggested that private investment contributes to poverty reduction and local livelihood improvements. But, local resources continue to be exploited by both the local villagers and the investors. Semi-structured interviews undertaken with local authorities reveal that they recognise both the positive and negative impacts of investment on local resources and livelihoods. But, in the course of their investment management, they confront many challenges and limitations. Due to the volume of investment, and to their low management and decision-making skills, they encounter difficulty resolving these issues. Few among them recognise the relationship between the investment impacts and the complex issues of PEN. First of all, I would like to express my deep thanks to my supervisor, Professor Philip Hirsch, for his encouragement and support and the guidelines he demonstrated with endless patience from the beginning to the end of my thesis. Without his critical comments, I would not have been able to shape the ideas of my research topic and complete it on time. I would also like to thank Dr. Peter Messerli, the Director of CDE 1 I have undertaken my thesis at the School of Geosciences, the University of Sydney, where I have gained new dynamic knowledge, skills and ways of thinking from many academic people at this school. Among them, I sincerely want to thank the Mekong Research Group

Poverty-environment discourse first emerged in the 1980s when developing countries' environmental... more Poverty-environment discourse first emerged in the 1980s when developing countries' environmental problems first gained world attention. Latterly, the discourse has been referred to as the poverty-environment nexus (PEN). But, the discourse surrounding PEN had its roots in much older debate. Today, in the 21st century, the majority of the developing countries' rural poor rely on natural resources for their survival. But, changes in their resources, either through natural disasters, private investment (often in the form of mining, energy or plantation projects), or their own exploitative activities, are leading to environmental degradation which, by extension, can force the rural poor into even deeper poverty. Many studies have shown that rapid increase in private investment exploits natural resources. Resultant income diversification to non-agricultural practices may result in either harmful or beneficial environmental impacts. In Laos, private investment has, in some cases, contributed to a degree of poverty reduction and some local livelihood improvement. In others, local villagers, especially the rural poor, have become victims of private investment. This thesis seeks to determine the relationships between investment, resources, poverty and PEN. Particular focus is upon both the negative impacts (the vicious circle) and the positive impacts (the virtuous circle) of PEN. The thesis makes a methodological contribution through its design and application of a multiscale research approach. Private investment shows a mixed pattern and uneven distribution. A Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) technique predicts that additional investment could either reduce or increase poverty and deforestation rates in different regions. The livelihood asset pentagons employed suggested that private investment contributes to poverty reduction and local livelihood improvements. But, local resources continue to be exploited by both the local villagers and the investors. Semi-structured interviews undertaken with local authorities reveal that they recognise both the positive and negative impacts of investment on local resources and livelihoods. But, in the course of their investment management, they confront many challenges and limitations. Due to the volume of investment, and to their low management and decision-making skills, they encounter difficulty resolving these issues. Few among them recognise the relationship between the investment impacts and the complex issues of PEN. First of all, I would like to express my deep thanks to my supervisor, Professor Philip Hirsch, for his encouragement and support and the guidelines he demonstrated with endless patience from the beginning to the end of my thesis. Without his critical comments, I would not have been able to shape the ideas of my research topic and complete it on time. I would also like to thank Dr. Peter Messerli, the Director of CDE 1 I have undertaken my thesis at the School of Geosciences, the University of Sydney, where I have gained new dynamic knowledge, skills and ways of thinking from many academic people at this school. Among them, I sincerely want to thank the Mekong Research Group