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Countries Appendix 2004 Update on Laos Despite a small population, undeveloped mineral deposits, and forest cover over 40%, Lao's forests are rapidly disappearing. Slash-and-burn agriculture, uncontrolled fires, commercial and illegal logging, and fuelwood collection have resulted in rapid depletion of the country's forests. The future of Laos looks bleak with several prospective hydroelectric projects planned and other potential energy resources like oil, natural gas, coal, and mineral deposits. Already, in anticipation of a proposed US$1.5 billion dam, the forests of the Nakai Plateau in central Laos are being cleared. The shift from a command economy toward a market oriented economy is expected to put heavy pressure on the forest resources of Laos. However, since development in Laos is young, there is still time to influence the government to adopt more sustainable activities. The forests of Laos that share the mountainous border with Vietnam are especially rich in biodiversity. In 1994, a new genus of cattle-like mammal was discovered, an impressive feat since only three new mammal genera have been discovered this century. In addition to this animal, two deer-like species and one carp species have been discovered in the region over the past two years. The region is protected as the Nakai Nam Theum National Biodiversity Area, though wildlife is threatened by hunting. Depressed log prices in the late 1990s spurred an increase in wildlife smuggling (as bushmeat) into Vietnam. In an effort to protect the country's species richness, Laos recently established 18 National Biodiversity Conservation Areas. However, the sanctity of these parks is questioned given the population pressures on forest lands. In addition, government credibility on environmental matters has been called into question given the logging that occurs today despite the 1991 national logging ban issued by the Prime Minister. The strongly-centralized approach to conservation may also fail to account for local needs. . . . . . For current information I highly recommend trying the CIA and FAO links below. |
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