TITLE:
A Chronological Analysis of Lao Forest Policy: State Control, Economic Drivers, and Environmental Outcomes
AUTHORS:
Kaisone Phengsopha, Oupakhone Alounsavath, Phokham Latthachack, Kevin Grace
KEYWORDS:
Laos, Forest Policy, Deforestation, Timber Trade, Sustainable Development, Natural Resource Governance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.16 No.1,
November
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: The forest policies of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) have undergone significant transformations, shaped by colonial legacies, post-war reconstruction, economic liberalization, and contemporary sustainability efforts. This paper provides a chronological analysis of Laos’ forest governance from the French colonial era (1893-1954) to the present (2025), examining how shifting political and economic priorities have influenced deforestation, institutional frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms. Key turning points include the post-1975 “green gold” era of state-led logging, the 1990s push for downstream timber processing, and the stringent controls of Prime Minister’s Order No. 15 (GoL, 2016), which sought to curb illegal logging. Despite recent institutional reforms, including the merger of forestry and environmental ministries, persistent challenges such as weak governance and competing development demands continue to impede sustainable forest management. The study argues that while Laos has made progress in formalizing legality and conservation measures, long-term success hinges on addressing structural drivers of deforestation, strengthening land tenure security, and ensuring transparent policy implementation. By tracing this historical trajectory, the paper offers critical insights into the complexities of balancing economic development with environmental sustainability in a resource-dependent nation.