https://programs.wcs.org/laos RSS feeds for WCS Lao PDR 60 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24580/Celebrating-the-Successes-of-ECILL-Collaborative-Action-for-Protected-Areas.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=24580 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24580&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/24580/Celebrating-the-Successes-of-ECILL-Collaborative-Action-for-Protected-Areas.aspx The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, together with the European Union (EU), the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) celebrated the success of the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management (ECILL) Project. The project closing ceremony, held in Vientiane, was chaired by Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, H.E. Mr Kikeo Singnavong, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR, H.E. Mr Mark Gallagher, Deputy Head of the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, Mr Alain Perrier, and attended by representatives from the Government of Laos, the EU, French Development Agency (AFD), WCS, and NPA Managers. Since its start in March 2020, the ECILL project has aimed to reduce current rates of biodiversity and habitat loss by adopting a holistic approach to landscape management. ECILL works to ensure the security of Lao PDR's forests and biodiversity, and to assist rural communities in sustainably managing their natural resources. The project is located in three priority landscapes of high biodiversity, ecosystem services, and natural capital value: (1) the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, (2) the Integrated Ecosystem and Wildlife Management Landscape in Bolikhamxay Province, and (3) the Xe Champhone Ramsar Wetlands in Savannakhet Province. The ECILL project, worth a total of €6.8 million, has been co-funded by the European Union and the Agence Française de Développement and implemented by WCS Lao PDR in joint efforts with the Lao government and local communities. Key achievements of the ECILL project include: Improved integrated protected area management and broader system-wide improvements in management effectiveness have been achieved with over 740,000 hectares of high biodiversity habitat, including forests, wetlands protected. Strengthened policy related to biodiversity conservation, forest, and wetland protection to support institutionalizing national protected area systems in Lao PDR. Established or expanded conservation enterprises that are climate-smart, linked to conservation outcomes that deliver economic benefits for communities, including community-based tourism and environment-friendly sustainable agriculture. Speaking at the closing ceremony, H.E. Mr Kikeo Singnavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said: “I thank the EU, AFD and WCS for their long-lasting partnership and efforts in contributing to these key successes to preserve Lao PDR’s unique forests and biodiversity. ECILL’s achievements are a testament of our shared commitments to conservation and biodiversity goals. We hope we can continue our positive engagement and collaboration after the ECILL project”. The Ambassador to the European Union in Lao PDR, H.E. Mr Mark Gallagher mentioned: “Over the past 5 years, the ECILL project has been instrumental in piloting a collaborative and holistic approach, to strengthen the security of the country’s forests and ecosystems, safeguarding the unique and rich biodiversity of Lao PDR, while creating sustainable opportunities for local communities.” “I would like to express profound gratitude to all our partners, including the Department of Forestry, the provincial authorities, the French Development Agency, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Your dedication and support have been crucial to reaching our collective goals. Our gratitude also extends to the local communities and stakeholders who have embraced and participated in this initiative. Your engagement and commitment have been vital to the project's success”, added Mr Mark Gallagher. The Deputy Head of the French Embassy, Mr. Alain Perrier, emphasized that France, through the French Development Agency, would continue to support the government's efforts to ensure that Laos' forests, wetlands, and biodiverse landscapes remain a source of sustainable development for the country and its communities. The ECILL closing ceremony was preceded by a meeting engaging National Protected Areas (NPAs) managers from the 26 NPAs and NGO partners to create a collaborative action for Protected Areas towards the Mining-Forest Nexus and to strengthen partnerships. The workshop’s objective was to brainstorm on how to support the full and effective implementation of Prime Ministerial Orders no. 06 and 11 and Protected Areas policies through better oversight of mining concessions, stronger environmental impact assessments, and more robust enforcement of forestry and land laws. ““The issuance of Prime Ministerial Orders No. 06 and No. 11 establishes a robust and timely policy framework for the conservation of Lao PDR’s most biologically significant protected areas—particularly those within the Annamite Mountains, limestone karst landscapes, and high-altitude ecosystems. These areas harbor unique flora and fauna, including numerous endemic species found nowhere else in the world, thus reaffirming the vision of H.E. Kaisone Phomvihane, who described the forests of Lao PDR as ‘green gold.’ These protected landscapes may rightfully be considered the country’s most valuable ecological assets—its ‘green gold’ or natural diamonds. The Orders clearly underscore the urgent need to strengthen law enforcement, enhance governance, and fully integrate forest and environmental protection into national development strategies. The ECILL initiative has demonstrated that effective forest and environmental governance is not only feasible but also achievable when supported by strong political commitment, coordinated institutional efforts, and strategic policy coherence,” stated Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry. ECILL has supported and influenced key policy dialogues in natural resource management, providing both technical and financial contributions. By strategically engaging in high-level dialogues, ECILL has strengthened Laos’ standing in biodiversity conservation, ensuring continued political commitment beyond the ECILL project. As ECILL is closing, the established frameworks, strengthened institutional capacities, and multi-stakeholder partnerships will ensure that conservation remains a central pillar of Laos’ national agenda, paving the way for sustained environmental and economic benefits. The closing ceremony was attended by 70 people from the Department of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Protected Area Management Sections, representative of the Government of Lao PDR at the national and subnational levels, the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union Delegation (EU), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and development partners. jmauer@wcs.org Mon, 19 May 2025 06:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24580 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22230/Lao-PDR-celebrates-World-Wildlife-Day-2024.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=22230 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22230&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22230/Lao-PDR-celebrates-World-Wildlife-Day-2024.aspx World Wildlife Day was celebrated this year under the theme ‘Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation’ and brought together the Department of Forestry from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR, the Embassy of France to Lao PDR, Wildlife Conservation Society and conservation partners, the Working Group 15.7 on Combating Wildlife Crime and students at the National University of Laos in Vientiane. People around the world rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet their needs - from food, to fuel, medicines, housing, and clothing. Nearly half of the world’s population is directly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods, with 70% of the world’s poor living in rural areas and depending directly on biodiversity for their survival and well-being. To enjoy the benefits and the beauty that nature brings to humans and the planet, people have been working together to ensure ecosystems are able to thrive and plant and animal species are able to exist for generations to come. Lao PDR is recognized as a unique biodiversity hotspot and is home to some of the world’s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and species. However, its exceptional biodiversity is declining due to climate change, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and poaching coupled with high rates of deforestation causing fragmentation and loss of habitats. "As you may be aware that Lao PDR is a natural resource-rich country, both on land and in water. There are more than 1000 species of wild animals, especially the rare and endangered wild animals, such as Saola, Asian rock rats, Asian elephants, tigers, Eld’s deers, Irrawaddy Dolphin and other species. These wild animals are important for preserving the intactness of forest, the balance of the ecosystem, and are precious natural heritages of our nation, Lao PDR", said Associate Prof Dr Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Forestry Department.                                              This year’s World Wildlife Day focuses on digital innovations that are transforming the way we safeguard our invaluable ecosystems and biodiversity.  It is a global platform to explore sustainable solutions to address threats to wildlife. New tools such as SMART patrol, drones, GIS, and maps are helping conservationists to identify, locate and monitor wildlife and critical species in forests and protected areas and wetlands, thus making wildlife conservation easier, more accurate, and efficient. “In the Lao PDR, the Government is taking bold steps in the right direction, with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2016 – 2025, the forest Law voted in 2019, the protected area decree adopted in June 2023, the Decree on wetlands, the CITES decree under revision, the protected area roadmap in the drafting process. Through enhanced protection of its ecosystems, Laos actively participates in the national and global biodiversity conservation”, said Mrs. Ina Marčiulionytė, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR. “We are very proud to fund the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Lao PDR (ECILL) implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This project, builds on field experience in Nam Et-Phou Louey, Nam Kading, Phou Si Thon Endangered Species Conservation Area, and Xe Champhone wetlands, to reflex and feed the policy development process, integrating field experience and lessons learnt”, added Mrs. Ina Marčiulionytė, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR. French Ambassador Siv-Leng Chhuor echoed the EU Ambassador by saying: “I place emphasis the Protected Areas Decree adopted in June 2023, an ambitious text and a bold step for biodiversity protection in Laos, which was draft with inputs from the ECILL project, co-financed by AFD and the European Union and which we hope will be operationalized in the coming months and years. Despite today's celebrations, we must remain vigilant in the face of threats to biodiversity and we encourage the Government of Lao PDR to pursue these efforts and continue now with the implementation of these legislations.” Through various panel discussions with conservation organizations and experts, the event aimed to raise awareness among students of various faculties and colleges about the latest applications of digital technologies in wildlife conservation and the impact of digital interventions on ecosystems and communities.  Exhibition booths by conservation partners and educational institutions showcased technological innovation, tools, and services to drive wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence, and highlighted the contributions made to sustainability, wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Lao PDR. World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on March 3rd to connect people with the natural world and inspire continued learning and action for animals and plants. The event was attended by over 250 people and was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the support of the Working Group 15.7 on combating illegal wildlife trade and trafficking. jmauer@wcs.org Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22230 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1100/Plenty-of-forests-but-no-species-to-call-them-home.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=1100 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1100&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1100/Plenty-of-forests-but-no-species-to-call-them-home.aspx Plenty of forests but no species to call them home Vientiane Times, July 17, 2013 By Keoxomphou Sakdavong Laos is rich in natural resources and biodiversity, yet there is only the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NEPL-NPA) which provides a suitable home for the country's many endangered species. NEPL-NPA is located across the three northern provinces of Huaphan, Luang Prabang and Xieng Khuang. It has a total area of 4,200 sq km and features 129 villages in eight districts. The NPA is home to a number of endangered species, including the rare Indochinese tiger. At least nine tigers live in Nam Et-Phou Louey, according to the area Deputy Head, Mr Bouathong Xayavong. Laos has long been recognised as one of several countries around the world with thick forest cover, providing one of the best environments in the world for a variety of plants, wildlife and aquatic species to thrive. At an environmental conference at Vientiane's National Culture Hall in 2011, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Ty Phommasak, said the Lao forests were a unique place, home to more than 8,100 flower varieties, 100 large mammal species, 166 reptile and amphibian species, 90 types of bat and more than 700 species of bird. The Lao government has approved 24 national forest protected areas around the country to conserve biodiversity, wildlife, aquatic species and trees, and each year the country celebrates World Wildlife Conservation Day on July 13. The national forest protected areas cover about 4 million hectares of land. Apart from this, there are a further 66 areas protected at a provincial level, covering 600,000ha, and 143 forest areas protected at a district level on an area of 400,000ha. But despite nearly 5 million hectares of land being marked as protected areas, forest cover in Laos has declined dramatically over the years. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, forest cover dropped from 64 percent of the entire country in 1960 to 47.2 percent by 1992, and was down to 41 percent in 2001. The Lao government aims to boost forest cover back to 65 percent by 2015 and 70 percent by 2020. Relevant government ministries and international organisations, including the Wildlife Conservation Society and the World Bank, have recognised Nam Et-Phou Louey as one of the last homes of a number of endangered species, the Indochinese tiger in particular. The tigers' main food is meat such as pig, deer, monkey, gaur, goat and water buffalo. If the forest does not continue to have a great deal of biodiversity and hence food sources for the tiger, the unique species will not last in Nam Et-Phou Louey. Out of 24 national forest protected areas, Nam Et-Phou Louey is the only one to play host to tigers. That alone demonstrates how healthy the area's ecosystem is – tigers have chosen Nam Et-Phou Louey to be their home, rather than any of the other protected areas lying right across the country, north to south. The tigers are sending a message to the concerned ministries; more than 20 protected areas in Laos are not rich enough in natural resources, and their ecosystems are not doing as well as Nam Et-Phou Louey. To preserve endangered species in Laos and ensure the country provides the best possible home to its rare tiger population and the other 100 mammal species originally from here, Nam Et-Phou Louey should be held up as a model for conserving biodiversity and forestry. If Nam Et-Phou Louey was not part of active conservation efforts there would be no tigers left in Laos, and according to a report from the World Bank's Global Environment Facility, the area has biological significance at a global, national and local level. The lessons learnt from Nam Et-Phou Louey should be shared with authorities responsible for other forest protected areas across the country, and the Forestry Law needs to be strictly upheld. Article 18 of the law says forest protected areas are set aside to protect plants, animals and anything else in the forest which may have value for history, culture, tourism, the environment or education purposes. If the law and its definition of a protected area are followed strictly, Laos and its 24 national protected areas will remain a safe home for endangered species, which will be able to thrive in the country forever more. "Nam Et-Phou Louey should be held up as a model for conserving biodiversity and forestry" pEshoo@wcs.org Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1100 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1048/Future-direction-of-northern-protected-area-under-scrutiny.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=1048 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1048&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1048/Future-direction-of-northern-protected-area-under-scrutiny.aspx Vientiane Times, July 5, 2013 Nearly 100 officials from three northern provinces gathered in Luang Prabang province last week to discuss the sustainability of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area (NPA), regarded as one of the most important NPAs in Laos. The annual meeting, organised by the Ministry of National Resources and Environment with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the World Bank, aimed to review achievements and the future direction of the 420,000ha protected area. Clos er cooperation in management, dealing with mining exploration and infrastructure development and expanding the NPA's overall area were three key issues considered by participants. As the NPA spans Huaphan, Luang Prabang and Xieng Khuang provinces, the meeting was attended by dozens of provincial deputy governors, district chiefs and natural resource and environment officials, as well as representatives from central government and international organisations. The meeting was co-chaired by Luang Prabang Deputy Governor, Mr Khankham Chanthavisouk, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Forestry Management Department Deputy Director General, Mr Saisamone Photisat, and Luang Prabang Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Director, Mr Bounlat Lattanaphoubai. Mr Khankham said it was important to create awareness about environmental protection among authorities and villagers. “Providing permanent occupations for local people is also necessary for natural conservation, as is cooperation between related sectors, which is crucial to protect our natural resources,” he said. Through the meeting, parties agreed to strive for close collaboration between authorities and hold further discussions before any activities or projects could be conducted in the area. Participants also agreed to appoint a Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA advisory committee, on which the deputy governors would serve as chairmen and other related officials would sit. In relation to a pla n to extend the area of the NPA by about 900sq km, meeting participants agreed to survey the intended areas and further study the plan's potential impact on villages. Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA, declared in 1993, is located in the north-east of Laos and covers 129 villages in eight districts of three provinces. It is mostly hilly or mountainous terrain, is the source of several rivers, and features a high level of biodiversity. The area is home to a number of endangered species, including the tiger, gaur, Sambar deer and white-cheeked gibbon. The purpose of its creation was to conserve the area's ecosystem and its functions for the future. International organisations and financial institutions provide assistance to ensure the sustainability of the area. By Times Reporters  (Latest Update June 26, 2013) pEshoo@wcs.org Thu, 04 Jul 2013 23:41:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1048 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/917/WCS-Lao-Signs-Agreement-with-Department-of-Forestry-to-Support-Jurisdictional-REDD-Project-in-Houaphan-Province.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=917 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=917&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/917/WCS-Lao-Signs-Agreement-with-Department-of-Forestry-to-Support-Jurisdictional-REDD-Project-in-Houaphan-Province.aspx On December 18th, 2012, the WCS Lao program signed a six year agreement with the Lao Department of Forestry to support the implementation of the Lao – GermanClimate Protection through Avoided Deforestation (CliPAD) project in Houaphan Province. Under this agreement, WCS will provide technical services related to REDD+ safeguards, national protected area (NPA) management, law enforcement strategy development and general REDD+ readiness support. CliPAD is a €14 million development project of the Federal Republic of Germany that provides both technical and financial support to the Government of Laos to establish REDD+ demonstration activities that are both ‘pro-poor’ and benefit biodiversity. CliPAD has selected Houaphan Province as one of its target sites, which is where the Nam Et-Phou Louey (NEPL) NPA is sited. In Houaphan Province, CliPAD aims to establisha jurisdictional REDD+ program under the third-party Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) requirements. Jurisdictional REDD+programs are a new approach to REDD+ which, to date, have typically focused at the project level. Jurisdictional REDD+ operates at the level of an administrative unit (e.g. national or provincial) and more intimately involves government agencies in both strategy development and implementation of mitigation activities. Besides establishing the necessary provincial level strategies, frameworks and institutions, CliPAD will also direct investments at forty villages in Houameuang District to demonstrate on-the-ground approaches to reducing forest-based greenhouse gas emissions. The NEPL NPA covers a large portion of Houaphan Province, and its effective management is, therefore, a crucial component of the overall CliPAD strategy. Under the agreement, WCS agreed to upscale its activities in the NEPL NPA with additional funding made available by CliPAD. Additionally, WCS will make its law enforcement and in-house REDD+ expertise available to CliPAD to help it achieve its project goals. In the long-term, WCS is interested to see this project become a model for how REDD+ can be used as a sustainable financing mechanism to protect biodiversity and livelihoods both in Lao PDR and globally. pEshoo@wcs.org Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:917 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/878/GEF-funding-to-support-model-management-practices-in-Nam-Et-Phou-Louey-NPA.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=6014&ModuleID=11805&ArticleID=878 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=878&PortalID=118&TabID=6014 https://programs.wcs.org/laos/Admin-Plus/News-Manager/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/878/GEF-funding-to-support-model-management-practices-in-Nam-Et-Phou-Louey-NPA.aspx Increasing the effectiveness of protected area (PA) management in Laos, as well as elsewhere in Asia, requires the development of specialized fields of expertise through proven models of PA management. Although some expertise, such as in law enforcement, has been relatively well-practiced for some time, recent advances in systematic collation and analyses of spatial and trend data on threats and enforcement effort through a Management Information System (MIST) have expanded the ability of PAs to critically assess and adapt enforcement interventions. At the same time, other fields of PA expertise, such as community outreach, ecotourism that is linked to conservation outcomes, and PA financing contributions through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) are still in the very early stages of model development.  With support from the World Bank and GEF financing, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks to build upon the existing protected area management capacity within NEPL, which has heavily invested in developing an effective Enforcement Section (currently at 60 per cent capacity) and a rigorous Biological Monitoring Section, which are focused on effective protection of the NPA’s globally important tiger population as well as systematic monitoring to measure change in tiger and prey populations as a result of management. But there are still only intermittent activities by the Conservation Outreach Section, a nascent Ecotourism Section, and no long-term financing for the NPA. GEF funding will be critical for strengthening key areas of PA management, namely incorporating wildlife research and monitoring results into conservation outreach and land use planning as well as supporting the establishment of financing mechanisms through ecotourism and REDD activities, based upon a “Business Plan for Ecotourism in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area, Lao PDR” prepared by the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley and WCS’s extensive experience with REDD in protected areas in Cambodia and Madagascar. The development of this robust suite of interventions will provide models for PA management for Laos that stem from WCS field experience in the NEPL NPA, as well as from GEF-supported protected area activities in Bolikhamxay, in developing functioning protected area management bodies supported by cutting-edge financing instruments that have the potential to contribute to the long-term financial sustainability of NPAs. Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:878