Project News

The Deforestation and Forest Degradation Drivers Analysis was launched in December with an expected duration of two months. This analysis is an important step for the development of the National REDD+ Strategy, and is jointly supported by F-REDD and FCPF Readiness Support Project which both support building the capacity for REDD+ of Lao PDR.

The purpose of the analysis is to identify the hotspots of deforestation and forest degradation, and analyze the drivers (direct and underlying causes) using remote sensing technology. First, one forestry officer from each province—with extensive local knowledge—gathered in Vientiane, and collaborated with FIPD staff to identify the hotspots and analyze the drivers of each province. The preliminary results showed the major hotspots and the chief drivers at the national, regional and forest-type levels could be clearly identified.

After completion of the analysis, a stakeholder consultation will be organized at the central and local levels to further the analysis. As the drivers in different provinces and regions have differing characteristics, the results are expected to provide valuable and diverse inputs to the National REDD+ Strategy.

Demonstration of the drivers analysis

Training the provincial forestry officers remote sensing skills