~ NOV 22 2003
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Forestry: Clear-Cutting Logs
From: USA
- I keep reading how Southeast Asia's
forests are being overly exploited, including those of Laos.
Is this truly happening?
Reply:
Yes it's true
- to a certain extent.
There are set
quotas for logging but as reported in the Vientiane Times newspaper
numerous times this year alone there have been breaches by some
companies. Sometimes the officials are bribed to allow certain companies
to exceed the quota. In other cases it's the companies who purposely
mislead government officials by improperly reporting the number
of logs or area hectares they have cut. In other cases, it's companies
operating illegally and logging illegal on the Lao side of the border.
The government
has a clear program for re-foresting cut trees and has set quotas
(as well as specifying that logging cannot be heavily concentrated
in a single area but several wider areas). Admittedly, they do recognize
that Laos' natural and lush forests are something worth keeping
and are keen to protect it, especially in the light of future eco-tourism
for the smaller and poorer provinces. This is evident in the numerous
National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCAs) that have been
established throughout the country. The matter is taken seriously.
However there
is still lack of funds and manpower in some areas to properly regulate
logging and to keep an eye on illegal logging. There was an interesting
project document entitled "A Framework for the Use, Protection
and Management of Biodiversity in Lao PDR" dated 2001-2002 created
by the government departments STEA and MAF and the non-government
orgnization, UNDP. Although it's a project document, in it contains
very interesting information on this particular topic of conservation
in Laos - worth taking a look at if you can get your hands on it.
Traffic Accidents
From: Canada
- I once read that Laos had one of the highest accident rates in
all of Asia. I find that hard to believe considering Laos is a third
world country and so small.
Reply:
Sadly, it's
actually quite true. Laos does have one of the highest vehicle accident
rates and considering the size of the country it equates to a rather
high incident rate per capita.
According to
the Vientiane Traffic Police this year so far (as of October 2003)
there have been 117 deaths and 1930 injuries in Vientiane Municipality/Prefecture.
Highest accident rates are during bouns (festivals) and usually
involve those under age 25 and driving drunk. Statistics were also
quoted from Mahosot Hospital in the local newspapers. A city of
this size having this high an accident rate might make one wonder
about driving in the city, whether you're a foreigner or a local.
Also did you know that last year (2002) in total
there were 2200 accidents and 126 killed in Vientiane in vehicle
accidents. For the entire country the numbers were 9000 accidents
and 700 deaths.
All accidents involve some combination of motorcycle,
car, tuk-tuk or bicycle.
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