2. Forest policy and legal frame work

Transcription

1 By Bouaphanh Nanthavong Head of Forest Resource Conservation Division, DOF Slide 1 of General information about forest in Laos 2. Forest policy and legal frame work 3. Implementations 5. Challenges Slide 2 of 19 1

2 1. General information about forest Slide 2 of 19 Satellite image

3 ¾ º-ªö µè¾ 999 º-, ó ½Î¾ 10 x10 Definition of Forest Forest Law 2007: Forest is precious natural resource and its specific ecology system consists of biodiversity, water resources and forestland with various tree species growing naturally or planted in the protection forest zone, conservation forest areas and production forest areas. 3

4 Results of Forest Assessment in 2002: - Forest Cover 2002 = 41,5 % - The assessment based on: Canopy density above 20% Areas above Hectares Tree height above 5 meters Forest Cover in Lao PDR from 1943 to âì ºÜËêñÎ ñàæóò%

5 Dynamic of Forest lands The Current Forest decreased to 9.8 million ha in 2002 from 11.2 million ha in 1992 with an average loss of 134,000 ha per annum equivalent to 0.6% of the total land area Slide 2 of Main drivers of deforestation are: Encroachment into the forest for permanent cultivation Shifting cultivation (Northern part) Commercial timber logging (Central and South) Forest fires (Upland) Large infrastructure development projects (South) Slide 3 of 19 5

6 Underlying causes are : External Strong demand for raw materials and limited natural resources and land in the neighboring countries putting pressure on natural resources and land use in Lao PDR. Internal 1. Poverty of local farmers, who have to rely on shifting cultivation without alternatives and rapid population increase in remote areas 2. Excessive number and capacity of wood processing factories 3. Incomplete land use zoning and titling including forest category zoning and village land use plans 4. Insufficient resources both human and financial to implement land use zoning and to manage each land use zone 5. Limited dissemination of laws and regulations and understanding by local officers, people and investors 6. Weak institutional capacity including cross-sectoral coordination to control logging, wood trade and land use in accordance with laws and regulations Slide 3 of Forest policy and legal frame works Slide 2 of 19 6

7 Forest policy and Forest strategy 2020: - Increase of forest cover 70% by management of existing forest, restoration of forest 6 M. ha and Plantation development in allocated degraded forest lands for 500,000 ha - Participation sustainable forest management approaches - Forest law enforcement and governance Natural forest and Forestland is the property of the national community and The State manages in centralized and unified through out the country. Trees planted by people or planted by an organization in the areas designated with their labor and/or funds within recognition of the Forest and Forestland Management Organization shall become the property of such individuals or organizations. 7

8 The State has the policy to invest in preservation, regeneration, development of forest and Forestlands in connection with the socio-economic development plan and biodiversity conservations and environment protection. The State encourages individuals, households and organizations to carry out protection and development of all forest types, forest regeneration and tree planting activities in degraded Forestland and barren Forestland areas to become abundant forests. The State encourages indirectly, the utilization of forest for such purposes as tourism sites, recreation sites, research sites, carbon market offsets and so on according to the laws and regulations. Protection, conservation and development of forest and Forestland areas are the duties of all citizens, households and organizations and any sector in the society. Individuals, households and organizations have the obligation to protect and develop forests, forest resources, Forestlands, water resources, biodiversity and environment in accordance with the laws and regulations. 8

9 Forests in Lao PDR are classified into three categories for the purpose of preservation and development as follows: 1. Protection Forests 2. Conservation Forests 3. Production Forests Forest categories Areas (M. ha) Protection Forest about 6.8 Conservation Forest about 5.2 Production Forest about 3.4 Total

10 Utilization of forest and forest products is classified into 4 categories as follows: utilization for village public benefits utilization for households customary utilization utilization for business operations Utilization of all categories of forest and forest protection shall avoid causing any negative impacts to forest and forest production areas, nature, the environment and society. The State promotes the import of tree seeds and crop seeds for supplying production through the policy of exemption or reduction of taxes and duties including the permission of import necessary for timber and forest products according to the regulations. The government is the only authorized body to grant permission for export of natural logs and planted trees of prohibited species, sawn timber, tree stumps and trees. Planted trees that are not listed in prohibition and special species can be exported. 10

11 3. Implementation Frame Works Slide 2 of 19 MAF DOF ADM Planning FIPD PF&WB DFRC Prot & Rest ADM : administration FIPD : Forest Inventory and Planning PF&WB : Production forest and wood business management DFRC: National forest conservation Prot & Rest: Protection and restoration PFO: Provincial forestry offices DFO: District Forestry Offices VFO: Village forestry Organization PFO DFO VFO 17 provinces 142 districts 10,900 villages 11

12 Timber harvesting - Based on Forestry Law and PM decree, the Government permits for logging only in production forest areas, which are already under sustainable forest management plans, and from other areas such as government construction projects for infrastructure. - Logging must be carried out in the so designated areas and in accordance with the plans approved by the government. - Harvesting only the species and trees marked and stamped to be cut by the Forest Management Organization; Slide 3 of 19 Commercial Timber logging in production forest management areas 24 12

13 National Protected Areas Management System Lack of alternative livelihood or production systems to replace shifting cultivation in remote areas and access to market together with lack of social services such as education and health care Incomplete land use planning including forest zoning and village level land use planning and land titling and insufficient resources for management of each land or forest zone Unclear resource and land tenure Weak coordination between sectors Weak law enforcement and governance Insufficient understanding or ignorance of existing laws and regulations by business people and local people Limited human and financial resources 13

14 14