Project News

F-REDD 2 has developed a satellite-based Provincial Deforestation Monitoring System (PDMS) as a tool that uses satellite imagery to monitor deforestation and to strengthen forest monitoring. F-REDD 2 has also worked towards strengthening monitoring methods and the implementation structure at the provincial and district levels. As a result, the number of provinces implementing the PDMS is increasing.

In collaboration with the I-GFLL project, which is supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and GIZ, F-REDD 2 provided technical training and implementation follow-up on the PDMS to three northern provinces (Luang Prabang, Houaphan and Sayaburi) in 2022. As a result, around 300 cases of deforestation were reported from January to September 2022. In November, the PDMS was also introduced in the remaining three northern provinces (Bokeo, Luangnamtha and Oudomxay) using funds from the World Bank. Now, all six northern provinces under the FCPF Carbon Fund Emission Reduction Programme (GFLL) have the system in place.

From 2023 onward, through collaboration with other donor projects, the PDMS will also be introduced to the central provinces (Savannakhet, Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, Xaysomboun and Xiengkhouang) and the southern provinces (Champasak and Attapu). This will bring the PDMS presence to 14 out of 17 provinces across Lao PDR.

PDMS training for province and district forest officers.