Environment and natural resources

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – The European Union has provided 8 million Euros to support a new project in seven countries including Laos, in a move to strengthen their governments’ actions to combat wildlife trafficking and forest crime.In Laos, the national launch event of EU action, ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Local Saravan authorities have confirmed the province is facing serious challenges in preventing the spread of African swine fever with the reported number of pig deaths increasing.As of June 20, provincial officials reported 1,500 pigs had died from the disease, but ...

Authorities in Xieng Khuang province are investigating more officials allegedly involved in taking bribes in connection with the illegal timber trade which has caused great damage to the nation.The provincial Governor, Mr Bounton Chanthaphone, told a news conference, which was held as part of a ...

The Lao government has thanked Thailand for sending disinfection equipment to help contain an outbreak of African swine fever in Salavane province.Department of Livestock Development director-general Sorawit Thanito said on Sunday his counterpart in the Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries had sent a letter ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – There is growing concern in Vientiane about the impact of plastic waste on the environment.Mr Oudon Chanthavongsy, the owner of Lao Chaleunxay Recycle, a shop that has been buying plastic waste from people for many years, told me by telephone that ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – The Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) of Australia have signed an agreement marking the re-establishment of knowledge transfer channels between the two organisations.The MRC Secretariat CEO, Dr An Pich Hatda, and the MDBA Chief Executive, Mr ...

The newly draft Amended Law on Forestry was approved by National Assembly (NA) during the 7th Ordinary Session last week (on 14 June 2019).During the session, the NA members raised questions and comments about this newly draft amended Law on Forestry, especially about the Forest Use rights, ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Preserving forests and promoting tree planting across the country are the main aims for amendment of the forestry law, a senior government official has said. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Lien Thikeo presented a draft amended forestry law for debate at ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – More than 500 wood processing plants and family-based furniture workshops have been shut since the Prime Minister’s Order No. 15 was issued in 2016.Of the total 1,595 wood processing plants and furniture workshops functioning in Laos in 2016, only 1,086 plants ...

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – The National Assembly has queried the government’s plan to return the country’s forest cover to 70 per cent by 2020 after observing a huge loss of forested areas over past decades.Large trees have been felled and protected areas intruded upon and ...