Part 1 – A Rapid Participatory Biodiversity Assessment - IUCN

Part 4 Management of biodiversity resources in the study
area
4.1 The legislative and policy framework governing biodiversity conservation in
Lao PDR
The Government of Lao has formally recognised the importance of the county’s biodiversity in national
policy and over the last 20 years it has significantly strengthened the framework governing the
protection of these resources. The legislative framework is reflected in the National Biodiversity
Strategy to 2020 and Action Plan to 2010 as the guiding platform under the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD). Other documents of relevance include the Environmental Protection Law (1999),
Decree 164/PM on the Establishment of the Lao PDR National Protected Area System (1993),
Regulation on the Management of NBCAs, Wildlife and Aquatic Animals No. 0360 (2003), Forestry Law
(2005 revised 2007), the Wildlife Law (2007), Land Law (2003), Water and Water Resources Law
(1996), the Forestry Strategy 2020 (2005). Table 4.1 summaries these key documents and how they
relate to the sustainable use and management of biodiversity.
Table 4.1: Legislative Framework Pertaining to Biodiversity Conservation in Lao PDR
Legislative
document
National
Biodiversity
Strategy to 2020
and Action Plan to
2010
Prime Minister’s
Decree 164 on the
Establishment of
National
Biodiversity
Conservation
Areas (1993)
Environmental
Protection Law
(1999)
Description
Lao PDR became a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in
1996. In accordance with CBD guidelines, and with IUCN support, Lao has
recently completed a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan which
highlights current threats to biodiversity and priority areas for engagement. In
2004, the Lao government completed the National Biodiversity Strategy to
2020 and Action Plan to 2010 (NBSAP). It outlines seven areas of work that
will be implemented in order to reach the overall goals of the strategy. The
main objectives of the NBSAP include: to improve biodiversity data and fill
data gaps through basic and applied research, to improve biodiversity
management and monitoring, to harmonise legislation and regulations related
to biodiversity to MEAs, and to increase public awareness and participation in
sustainable management of biodiversity (NBSAP 5). Human Resource
Development is a key component of this strategy, which emphasizes that
improved capacity, with respect to both decision-making and research, is
necessary for sustainable biodiversity conservation.
Decree 164/PM of October 1993 is among the first legislations enacted by the
Government of Lao PDR which establishes the National Protected Area
System, an objective of which is to preserve natural resources including the
forest, wild animals and water. The establishment of the NPA system lays a
good foundation towards comprehensive conservation of Lao PDR
biodiversity. Management of the NPAs has received further development in
subsequent regulations aiming at protecting biodiversity and sustainable
natural resource utilization.
The Environment Protection Law addresses the protection of the environment
and natural resources as well as biological diversity (Article 15). The law also
provides the basis for conducting project-related Environmental Impact
Assessment to reduce and mitigate environmental impact, accordingly a
Regulation on Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment in Lao PDR
was subsequently issued.
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