12 4. Biodiversity conservation;
5. Revitalization of forest use and forest industry; 6. Empowerment of local communities around the forests;
7. Mitigation and adaptation to climate change; and 8. Strengthening forestry institutions.
The recent announcement of a two-year moratorium on new concessions to clear natural forests and peatlands under a US1 billion deal signed with Norway
1
will clearly have pivotal effects on the forestry sector although details of how related initiatives will be implemented are not available yet.
Likewise, various REDD initiatives FCPF, UN-REDD, Forest Investment Program are likely to have considerable impacts on forestry sector policy.
2.1.5. Lao PDR
In the early 1990s, Lao forest policy prioritized protection and conservation of forests, improvement of logging practices, forest industry efficiency and forest rehabilitation. Particular attention was given to
protection against shifting cultivation and indiscriminate cutting of forests by rural people FAO 1993. The Forestry Strategy 2020 FS2020 is the key document that articulates current Lao
Government policy for forests and forestry Hodgdon 2008. This policy, endorsed in 2005, guides the development of the forestry sector in line with other national strategies and plans, most significantly
the National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy. The FS2020 represents a considerable step forward in guiding the Lao forestry sector towards multiple objectives with poverty reduction at the
forefront MAF 2004. Targets include:
improving the quality of forest resources by natural regeneration and tree planting for protection and livelihood support;
providing a sustainable flow of forest products for domestic consumption and household income generation;
preserving species and habitats; and conserving environmental values in relation to soil, water and climate.
Particular areas of focus include: land-use planning, village-based natural resource management, sustainable harvesting; rationalization of the wood-processing industry; tree planting; law enforcement
and participation to prevent unauthorized activities; and protection of watersheds. Achieving and maintaining 70 percent forest cover has been a long-term goal that remains high on the FS2020 agenda
see Box 2.4. The FS2020 clearly directs forestry development towards local development, and community involvement, although implementation of people-centred forestry remains largely
unfulfilled Hodgdon 2008.
The Forestry Law has been amended see Section 3.1 and reiterates central management of forest resources stating that “The State shall not grant any individual or organization lease or concession of
natural forest to undertake logging and harvesting of NTFP.” In line with the Forestry Law revision, the Department of Forestry DoF will have new divisions of protection forests and production forests,
while provincial agriculture and forestry offices will have planning and forestry inspection sections Tong 2008.
1
“Indonesia puts moratorium on new forest clearing” http:www.reuters.comarticleidUSTRE64Q0V220100527
