COUNTRY REPORT LAO. PDR By: Chanhsamone Phongoudome I

COUNTRY REPORT LAO. PDR

By: Chanhsamone Phongoudome

Forestry Research Centre, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR. P O Box: 7174, Tel/Fax: + 856 -21 732298, E-mail: [email protected]

I. BACKGROUND

Lao PDR is a landlocked, mountainous country. It has a total area of 236,800 Km2; about 1,700 km from South to North and the width ranges between 100 and 400 km. The country bordered by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. The main part of Laos is drained by the Mekong River, which forms about half of Thailand.

Approximately 85% of the total land area surface are mountainous with altitudes varying between 2,000 and 2,800 m in the centre and Annamite chain in the east. The alluvial plains and older terraces of the Mekong River and its tributaries dominate the remaining land area. The average elevation of the Mekong plains is 150 to 2820 m above sea level.

The population of Lao PDR is currently about 5.2 million (FAO, 1999) and increasing at 2.8% per annum, density at 22 people per s.q. Km is still low by Asian standards. About 89% of its people live in the rural areas, most of them at subsistence level.

Lao PDR is one of the poorest countries in Asia, with an average per capital income in 1997 of around US$ 362 per annum (UNDP, 1999), economy grew at 6-7% per years.

According to nation wide reconnaissance 1989 and update 1992 by the National Forest Inventory and Planning Office was 47% compared to the Asian counties, Lao PDR is still quite rich forest resources. Wood products account 35-45% of total export revenue, while the shed of the GDP is estimated at 16%. About 80% of domestic energy consumption are wood-based. The forest also provided a host of many non-timber forest products, and valuable environmental services. In addition, the forest in Laos contains biodiversity of great local and international importance.

II. CURRENT STATUS OF FOREST DEGRADATION

1940 an estimate forest cover in Lao PDR was 70% or 17 million ha of total land areas. In 1989 (report 1992 by the National Office of Forest Inventory and Planning) was 47 % or 11 million of the total land area, annual rate of deforestation average about 0.45 %. Until year 2000 the forest cover may decrease only more than 40 % of the total land area (Table 1 & Figure 2) (Galt et al., 2000; Khamphay pers. comm., 2000).

The main causes of deforestation in Laos in the past 60 years (1940-2000) are destruction due to war action, shifting cultivation, forest fires, legal and illegal logging for timber, fuel woods, irrigation reservoir for hydro electric powers, encroachment into forest for permanent agriculture, infrastructure (road constructions, building houses of local consumption), and other purposed. Therefore these

However, the forest has been degraded effected to environmental and socio-economic. In recent year government issues many documents, instructions, regulations, activities, especially from 1989 – 2000 such as 1989 National Forestry Conference, and Tropical Forest Action Plan; 1996 Forest Law, Water Resources Law, Environment Law, and other issues.

Forest plantation activities are still very limited. The total area of plantation forests is estimated in between 1970 - 2000 is about 76,000 ha in the country consisting mainly of indigenous precious wood species (DoF, 2000).

Table 1:Total area distributed on land use and vegetation types, year 1989, whole country.

Land Use Group / Land Use Area and Vegetation Type (%) (1000 ha) 1. Current Forest CF 47.162 11182.0 Dry Dipterocarp DD 1206.5 5.095 Lower Dry Evergreen LDE 0.361 85.5 Upper Dry Evergreen UDE 1061.0 4.480 Lower Mixed Deciduous LMD 886.0 3.657 Upper Mixed Deciduous UM 7448.9 D 31.457 Gallery Forest GE 0.369 87.5 Coniferous C 0.559 132.3 Mixed Coniferous/ Broadleaves MCB 280.5 1.184 2. Potential Forest PF 37.791 8949.0 Bamboo B 6.469 1531.9 Unstocked T 26.680 6791.4 Ray RA 2.642 625.6 3. Other Wooded Areas OW 6.099 1444.4 Savannah / Open Woodlands SH 3.854 912.5 Heath, Scrub Forest SR 2.245 531.7 4. Permanent Agriculture Land PA 3.587 849.5 Rice Paddy RP 3.334 789.4 Agriculture Plantation AP 0.075 17.8 Other Agriculture Land OA 0.179 42.3 5. Other Non-Forest Land NF 5.361 1269.5 Barren Lands / Rock R 0.490 116.1 Grassland G 3.474 822.8 Urban Areas U 0.356 84.2 Swamps SW 0.149 35.4 Water W 0.891 210.9 TOTAL 100.000 23680.0 Sources: Khamphay & Mats, 1992

4 Figure 2: LAND USE AND FOREST COVER IN LAO PDR 1992 Country Current Forest 47% Country Potential Forest 38% Other Wooded Land 6% Other Non-Forest Land 5% 4% Current Forest Permanent Agriculture 4% 6% 5% Potential Forest 47% Total 100% Other Wooded Land

38% Other Non-Forest Land Permanent Agriculture

Northern CF 36% Northern Region PF 56% OW 4% NF 3% CF 4%3%1% PA 1% PF 36% Total 100% OW NF 56% PA

Central CF 52% Central Region PF 28% OW 8% NF 8% 8% 4% CF PA 4% 8% PF Total 100% OW 52% NF 28% PA

Southern CF 59% Southern Region PF 21% OW 9% NF 4% 4% 7% CF 9% PA 7% PF Total 100% OW 21% 59% NF PA

Source: Khamphay and Mats, 1992

5 III. CURRENT STATUS OF BIODIVERSITY

Lao PDR are rich biodiversity flora and fauna, was estimated at least between 8,000 – 11,000 species of flowering plants (Xiao Jun Qui et al., 1993 and Latiff, pers. comm., 2000), and 166 species amphibians, 700 species of bird 90 species of bats and (none available) of large mammal (Duckworth et al., 1999).

At the National level: in 1993 20 National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCA’s) was establishing covering 3,313,597 ha or 14 % of the total land area (Table 2 & Figure 3).

At local level: 114 forests reserved at the provincial level, covered an area of 2,906,580 ha or 12.3%; 57 provincial conservation Forests areas cover 931,969 ha or 3.94%; 23 Provincial Protected Forest areas 464,410 ha or 1.95%; 114 District Conservation Areas cover 503,733 ha or 2.12%; and 52 District protected Areas cover 55,713 ha or 0,23%.

From 1989 to 1999 government issues of various of instruction concerned to Forestry of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Primer Ministry, and GoL th such as: 1991 decree No. 67/PM on logging ban; 10 April 1993, decree 63/PM on the organization of the Science, Technology and Environment th Office (STENO); 25 June 1996 Instruction on the continuation on th Implementing Land Management and Land Forest Allocation no. 03/PM; 11 th October 1996 Forestry Law; 11 October 1996 Water Resources Conservation Law; March 1999 Established the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI); and 2000 Environmental Law.

There is few activities such as from 1991 up to date 10 staff to training forest botany in Faculty of forestry, Kasetsath University; 4 staff was training on assessment of Forest biodiversity in India. Bamboo, Rattan, and some Botanical Survey has been done but not much there is limited funding to support. These supported by the Lao-Swedish Forestry Program (LSFP), IDRC, IUCN, DAWIN, FAO and NC-IUCN.

Table 2: Summary Management Status of NBCAs in Lao PDR 1999

No. Name Area (ha) Provinces 1 Phou Daen Din Phong Sa Ly 222.000 2 Nam Ha Luang Nam Tha 222.400 3 Nam Et Houa Phan 170.000 4 Phou Loei Houa Phan - Luang Phra Bang 150.000 5 Nam Xam Houa Phan 70.000 6 Nam Phui Sayabouri 191.200 7 Phou Phanang Vientiane Municipality 70.000 8 Phou Khao Khouay Vientiane -Bolikhansay-Xaisomboun 200.000 9 Nam Ka Ding Bolikhamsay 169.000 10 Phou Hin Phoun Kham Moune 150.000 11 Nakai Nam Theun Bolikhamsay - Kham Moune 353.200 12 Hin Nam No Kham Moune 82.000 13 Phou Xang He Savannakhet 109.900 14 Dong Phou Vieng Savannakhet 197.000 15 Xe Sap Saravanh -Xe Kong 136.897 16 Xe Bang Nouan Saravanh -Savannakhet 150.000 17 Phou Xieng Thong Saravanh -Champasak 120.000 18 Dong Hua Sao Champasak 110.000 19 Dong Ampham Attapeu - Xekong 200.000 20 Xe Pian Attapeu - Champasak 240.000 Total 3.313.597

Table 4: Summary of Protected Area Categories and Areas in Lao PDR

7 Category No. of Areas Total Area (ha) % National Land Area NBDCAs 20 3 313 597 13.99 PCF 57 931 969 3.94 PPF 23 461 410 1.95 DCF 144 503 733 2.12 DPF 52 55 713 0.23 Total 276 5 266 422 22.23

Source: Department of Forestry (1999 updated) National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBDCAs) Provincial Conservation Forest (PCF) Provincial Protection Forest (PPF) District Conservation Forest (DCF) District Protection Forest (DPF)

IV. CURRENT STATUS OF AGROFORESTRY

Shifting cultivation is the dominant cropping system in the uplands and mountains of Lao PDR. Approximately 300,000 families (Pheng, 1995), equal to about 1.8 million people or 40% of the population, are engaged in shifting cultivation. Assuming that each family plants about 1.5 ha per year, the shifting cultivation area used annually would be around 450,000 ha. The total area in the shifting cultivation cycle is difficult to assess, but may be 2 – 2.5 million hectares equal to about 10 percent of the area of Laos.

Little research on agroforestry has been carried out in Lao PDR and research capacity remains low. Improving agroforestry research will therefore involve the creation of staff capability in carrying out research; appropriate research methods; research facilities and infrastructure; institutional co-operation in research and extension; and research results relevant to development, planning and extension.

Table 3 summarises features of the main agroforestry systems in Lao PDR.

10 Table 3: Benefits and constraints on agroforeatry systems in shifting cultivation areas of Laos.

Agroforestry Description Benefits Constraints Example from Laos Traditional system Shifting cultivation Alternating periods of tree growth and Restoration of soil fertility. Requires long fallow periods. Most widespread cropping agricultural crops. Suppression of weeds and Low productivity with short fallows. system in Laos crops pets.. Government condemnation. Economically improved The economic benefit of the fallow Increased income or output Increased labour needs Production of paper mulberry bark, Fallows is improveed through manipulation from the fallow May require long fallow periods. Cadamom, and Benzoin. of the fallow vegetation. Living fences Hedges of woody species planted Mainly to fence off agriculture fields, Efficient only after several years. Widely used around permanent around agriculture fields. but also for leaf foder, mulch, fire May complete with crops. field and gardens. wood and wind reduction. Plantations of orchards Various other combinations of tree and High area productivity. Good use of Herbaceous component suppressed Homegardens and multi-storey crops, such as multi-story gardens, the available resources. in older plantations. Rational man- gardens common in older villages home gardens, and estate plantation. agrement may be difficult. all over Laos Taungya Cultivationof agriculture crops during Economic return from the plantation Agriculture land is lost. Land-use Common along river banks in the the early stages of tree establishment. during the early years. Ensures rights may be transferred to investors North. In recent years also in upland weeding during the cropping periods Farmers may be come to laboures. areas. Traditional planting method of Cheap establishment. forest authorities. New systems

Biologically improved The bio-physical effects of natural fallows Increased restoration of soil fertility. The improved fallow may be come a Experimental stage at the moment. Fallows are improve through enrichment planting Increased suppression of weeds seriuos weed during the cultivation No extension recoomendations. or other manipulation and pets. periods. Alley cropping Belts of woody species alternate with Nutrient recycling and nitrogen fixing. Occupies agriculture land. Introduced by various projects, but belts of agriculture crops. May also produce leaf fodder, fire- woody component may compete little or no adoption by farmers. wood and mulching material. with agriculture crops. Requires additional labour. Contour hedgerows Woody species planted ih hedge along Mainly for erosion cotrol; mayhave Occupies agriculture land. Introduced by various projects, but the contours alternating with belts of crops. benefits similar to alley cropping. Woody component may compete little or no adoption by farmers. with agriculture crops. Requires additional labour.

11 REFERENCES

Duckworth, J. W., R. E. Salter and K. Khounboline. 1999. Wildlife in Lao PDR. Status Report. IUCN. Vientiane, Lao PDR. FAO. 1999. State of the World Forest. Galt, A. Sigati, T. and Vinton, M. (Eds). 2000. The World Commission on nd Protected Areas, 2 Vol. I & II. South East Asia Reginal Forum, Pakse, Lao PDR, 6-11 December 1999. GoL. 1989. Decree 117/PM on Administration of Land and Forest land. GoL. 1989. Decree 118/PM on Protection of Wildlife. GoL. 1991. Decree 67/PM on the Logging Ban. GoL. 1992. Decree 99/PM on Land. GoL. 1993. Decree 169/PM on the Management of Forest and Forest Land. GoL. 1993. Decree 63/PM on the Organisation of the Science, Technology th and Environment Office (10 April 1993) GoL. 1993. Decree No. 164/PM on the Establishment of National th Biodiversity Conservation Areas. (29 October 1993) GoL. 1994. Decree 186/PM on Allocation of land for forest and tree plantation. st GoL. 1996. Forestry Law. 11 October 1996. st GoL. 1996. Water Resources Conservation Law. 11 October 1996. GoL. 1996. Instruction on the Continuation on Implementing Land th Management and Land-Forest Allocation. No. 03/PM.25 June 1996. GoL. 1997. Land Law GoL. 1999. Environmental Law. (April 23, 1999) Humchitsavath, S. and P. K. Hansen. 1996. Agroforestry Research for Development in Shifting Cultivation Areas of Lao PDR. FRC, NAFRI. Khampheun, K. 1991. Agroforestry Development Programme in Lao PDR. In: Mellink, W., Y. S. Rao and K. G. MacDicken. RAPA. FAO. Bangkok. Khamphay, M. and S. Mats. 1992. Forest Cover and Land Use in Lao. P. D. R. – Final Report on the Nationwide Reconnaissance Survey. MAF. 1990. No. 0370/MAF on Instruction on Cutting limited of Category of trees species. MAF. 1996. Instruction on Land-Forest Allocation for Management and nd Use. No. 0822/AF. Date 2 August 1996. MAF. 1996. Established Forestry Research Centre. MAF. 1997. No. 0239/MAF on Principle on Measured, Grade of log for export , Diameter cutting limited of Category of trees species. MAF. 1999. Established National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute. Pheng, S. 1995. Shifting Cultivation in Lao PDR: an overview of land use and policy initiatives. DoF, Vientiane. Sangthong, S. 1999. The Protected Area System in Lao PDR: Country Status Report-1999. In: Galt, A. Sigati, T. and Vinton, M.(eds). 2000. nd The World Commission on Protected Areas, 2 Vol. II. Pp. 45-54. South East Asia Reginal Forum, Pakse, Lao PDR, 6-11 December 1999.

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