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โครงการหนังสออเล็กทรอนกสด้านการเกษตร เฉลมพระเกียรตพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว
TEAK IN MEKONG
Chapter 4: Natural Teak Forests and Plantations
in Lao PDR
Vongvilay Vongkhamsao, Baisone Inthirath and
Bounthavy Chaleunsouk
Abstract First National Forest Conference held in
L 1989 declared the rapid pace of forest
ao PDR forms the easternmost limits
degradation in the country had created a
of the natural distribution of Teak in
the world. The largest natural areas in Laos crisis situation which must be resolved
through active rehabilitation of natural
occur in the Sayabouly Province, where forests and establishing new forest
there may be 10-20,000 ha of mixed plantations (Gilmour & Tsechalicha, 2000).
deciduous forests with significant presence
of teak. Small areas of teak are also found Acting on its recommendations the
in the Bokeo Province. In order to conserve Government of Lao PDR has been strongly
natural teak forest, Government of Laos has encouraging all relevant stakeholder such
both policies and regulations in place and as state authorities, entrepreneurs and
several projects are under implementation individual local villagers to protect the
to manage teak and ensure its sustainable existing forests and grow more forests.
use. Teak has long been grown by small Teak is a large deciduous tree and a
farmers in northern part of Laos, especially member of the family Verbenaceae. Teak is
in Luang Prabang with an average parcel a very suitable species for farmers to plant
size of less than 1 ha. Larger areas, up to because its growth is initially fast and it is
around 20 ha, are often owned by absentee fire resistant (Kaosa-ard, 1989). Teak is
owners or acquired overtime by indigenous to central and south India,
entrepreneurs. For many of these plantation Burma, northern Thailand and in two small
owners securing land use rights is the areas in northwestern Laos (Hansen et al.,
primary benefit. The planting of teak has 1997). Teak has been planted in a small and
been promoted by Government policies moderate scale in other tropical countries
since the 1980s in recognition of its high such as Bangladesh, east and west Africa,
value and its potential to provide Central and South America and on many
opportunities for generation of farm islands of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian
income. The so-called ‘2+3 model’ Oceans (Kadambi, 1972).
encouraged by the government, in which
the smallholder provides land and labour Teak (Tectona grandis) is one of many
while the plantation company is responsible native tree species that have been selected
for technology, finance and marketing, has for planting across the country. According
been quite successful in attracting a national survey of forest plantation in
investment in teak planting. Laos during September and December
1990 carried out by Forest inventory and
Introduction Management Office, Department of
L
ao PDR (or Laos) has a rich natural Forestry there were 6,250 ha, about 3,000
forest resource base which plays a ha was classified as stock planation, nearly
significant role in the country’s economic 50% of planation area was teak (Tectona
development with tree logging and export grandis) while eucalypt plantation was 6%
of timber to external markets in Vietnam, of the total area (Mounda, 1995). Teak is
Thailand and China being an important very popular among local villagers,
source of income enhancing the especially in Luang Prabang Province, due
diversification of national economy. The to its shorter harvesting rotation of 15 years
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