Under the Vanuatu constitution, the'rules of custom shall form the basis of ownership anduse of land.' Implementing this principle after decadesof land alienation, however, has proved to be challenging.While the leasing arrangement was originally intended torestore investor confidence and maintain agriculturaldevelopment in newly independent Vanuatu, it soon evolvedinto the method of acquiring new leases over previouslyunalienated land. Tourism, business, agriculture, industry,urbanization, and the desire to use land to secure financialloans are some of the driving forces behind the creation ofleases. This briefing note summarizes the findings of theresearch conducted on Epi Island and discusses methodologiesfor disseminating research findings to affected communities.
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