A new baseline report co-led by the Wyss Academy’s Global Development & Environmental Governance team and Hub Southeast Asia explores the evolving relationship between people and nature around the Nam Tien Provincial Protection Forest in Laos. Based on a household survey of 538 families, the study offers a snapshot of rural life, environmental pressures, and emerging opportunities for change.

Agriculture remains the main source of income, yet many households remain economically vulnerable, often relying on labour migration, especially among young adults. Local concerns over forest loss, wildlife decline, and air pollution reflect broader shifts in land use. Cassava monoculture has expanded rapidly since 2020, while sustainable practices such as agroforestry remain rare.

Still, there is strong interest in restoration. Nearly half of all respondents see potential in tree planting, if financial and technical barriers can be addressed. To support this, the Wyss Academy team developed a “co-benefit index” to track how environmental and livelihood goals evolve together, providing a shared tool for local partners to monitor progress across the Solutionscape.