VIENTIANE: Lao authorities are working to address environmental threats and promote sustainable conservation in the Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, with the goal of reducing deforestation and illegal hunting, while increasing forest cover through expanded reforestation efforts.
The Nakai-Nam Theun National Park Management Committee is working to address critical issues such as illegal hunting of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, unauthorised harvesting of non-timber forest products, and unpermitted human activities within protected zones.
Additionally, relevant sectors are urged to allocate funding to improve living standards in villages in and around the park, according to a report from the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Wednesday (may 14).
The ministry and the park management committee will work closely to prepare the park for nomination as a World Heritage Site, aiming to position it as a national model for forest and biodiversity conservation in line with green and sustainable development principles.
The Nakai-Nam Theun National Park is one of the largest and most biologically significant protected areas in Laos. Spanning 427,770 hectares, it stretches across Khammuan and Bolikhamxay provinces in central Laos.
The park is home to diverse habitats, including evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane forests.
The park supports rich biodiversity, comprising 92 mammal species, 29 reptiles, 25 amphibians, 403 birds, and 69 fish species.
With strong government support and rising international interest, the park is being developed as a flagship for sustainable forest and biodiversity management. - Xinhua
