Decree on the Establishment of National Forest Reserves

Lao People's Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity Prime Minister's Office DECREE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST RESERVES No. 164/PM Pursuant to the 5th, 6th and 7th Plenary Meeting of the Party Central Committee, IVth.and Vth legislature of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Based on the proposal forwarded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Due to the past severe depletion of the forests in our country impacting on the environment, streams, causing several streams to dry up, while increasingly reducing the wild and aquatic life's natural habitat and threatening many species of extinction. Therefore, for the management and sustainable preservation of the natural resources, namely of forests, wild and aquatic life, The Prime Minister decrees : Article 1 : The establishment of national forest reserves as follows : No. Reserves Area Provinces Coordinates (Ha) 1 Phou Khao Khuay 200,000 Vientiane, Bolikhamsay 102°31'- 103°30' 18°14'- 18°33' 2 Namkading 169,000 Bolikhamsay 100°31'- 101°00' 20°57'- 21°09' 3 Sebangnuan 150,000 . Savannakhet, Salavan 105°30'- 106°30' 15°30'- 16°01' 4 Sepien 240,000 Champassak, Attapeu 105°55'- 106°30' 14°02'- 14°45' 5 NamPouy 191,200 Sayaboury lOJ005'- 101°31' 18°13'- 19°02' 6 Phou Xiengthong 120,000 Salavan 105°05'- 105°45' 15°20'- 15°55' 7 Phou Sanghe 109,900 Savannakhet 105°09'- 106°06' 16°42'- 1r04' 8 NamHa 69,000 Luang Namtha 101°08'-101 °28' 20°33'- 20°53' 2 9 Nakay, Nam Theun 353,200 Khammuan 104°50'- 105°10' 17°35'- 18°15' 10 Nhot Nam Thoun 222,000 Phongsaly 102°00'- 102°35' 21°52'- 21°15' 11 Phou Leuy 150,000 Huaphan 103°02' - 103°32' 19°50'- 20°04' 12 NamEt 170,000 Huaphan 103°15'- 103°75' 20°03'- 20°50' 13 NamSam 70,000 Huaphan 104°18'- 104°49' 20°02'- 20°15' 14 Phou Hinpoun 150,000 Khammuan 104°25'- 104°10' 17°27'- 18.05' 15 Dong Huasao 110,000 Champassak 105°55'- 106°17' .14°50}~ 15°11' ... 16 Dong Amphan 200,000 Attapeu 107°08'- 107°38' 14°40'- 15.17' 17 Phou Phanang 70,000 Vientiane Mun. 102°12'- 102°27' 18°01'- 18°25' 18 HinNamno 82,000 Khammuan 105°43'- 106°09' 17°13'- 17.40' The accurate boundaries of these reserves are shown in the map attached to this Decree. The area of the mentioned reserve forests may be extended within future forest reserves, whereas their extended areas will be further approved and defmed. Article 2 ; ·The formerly defined forest reserves are further confirmed by this Decree. Article 3; Main purposes of forest reserves. 3.1 To sustainably preserve the forests' natural wealth, anima] species, water sources; 3.2 Preserve the natural wealth and protect the natural environment's balance and dynamics; 3.3 Preservation of the beautiful natural sceneries, for recreation, tourism, education, culture and scientific research purposes. Article 4: Measures and Restrictions within the reserve forests. 4.1 It is forbidden to exploit any species of tree, except if authorized from the Government of Lao PDR, for scientific research; 4.2 It is forbidden to gather forest products, hunt and fish in the restricted areas as clearly delineated in the reserve forest allotment plans, except if specially authorized each time within a given period of time by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as proposed by the forestry officer in charge of the reserve forests. 4.3 It is forbidden to conduct surveys, mine, build dikes, other schemes and roads without authorization from the Government of Lao PDR. 4.4 It is forbidden to retain land, erect houses and expand new upland-lowland fields. 4.5 It is forbidden to excavate, dig or remove historical or cultural antiques. 4.6 It is forbidden to make use of explosives, release chemical or poisonous substances or waste in the reserve forests in a manner susceptible to cause danger the forests, wild life or water sources, ponds and other water streams. 4.7 It is forbidden to slash and bum forests in the mentioned reserve forests. Article 5: Any collective or individual transgressing this Decree will be warned, fined, the evidence seized or the concerned subjected to a lawsuit on the charge of destruction and act of banditry against the nation I s property. Article 6: The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is entrusted to establish detailed provisions and regulations on the management of reserve forests and in coordination with the provincial administrative authorities in directing and organizing the implementation of the detailed allotment plans, contributing to the budget, and efficiently implementing the actual management in each reserve forest. Article 7: The nationwide ministries, agencies holding equal ranking, provinces, sectors shall cooperate and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to organize, implement and disseminate this Decree to the civil servants and participate to the sustainable preservation of the national reserve forests. Article 8: This Decree is effective from the day it is signed. Any former provisions, instructions, regulations and licenses inconsistent with this Decree are abrogated. Vientiane, 29/10/1993. Prime Minister, Khamtay Siphandone. 3