CCL Studies

Due to a sparse population density and a vast forest coverage, forest products hold great significance in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) (Dufumier 1996). Local communities, particularly upland ethnic minorities, such as the Khmu, Akha, and Hmong, deeply intertwine forest products into their daily lives and cultural practices. These communities have historically depended on forest and fallow ressources, which not only sustain their livelihoods but also uphold cultural traditions, which are inextricably linked to cosmological beliefs (Chazet 1995). Studies by Foppes and Ketphanh (2000a) underscore the crucial role of forest products in local economies, emphasizing that these products, while significant in international trade, primarily contribute to sustaining household incomes. During the 1990s, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) accounted for an average of 55% of household cash income in Lao PDR (Foppes and Ketphanh 1998). Recent data from the La District of Oudomxay Province indicate that as of 2019, the collection and sale of forest products still constituted an average of 22% of household income for Khmu and Akha ethnic minorities (CCL 2020).

Download study here: CCL-NTFP-Document-text-VIEW.pdf

The use of pesticides in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has steadily increased, driven by the expansion of commercial farming. This trend has raised significant concerns about potential impacts on the environment and human health, particularly in a context where pesticide usage is poorly documented. To address the knowledge gap, a survey was conducted in two districts of Oudomxay Province to assess the quantities of pesticides applied by farmers in northern Laos, using a Treatment Frequency Index (TFI)-based methodology. The assessment involved 74 farmers and 265 pesticide applications. The survey revealed that 75% of respondents exhibited a pesticide pressure intensity above 1, indicating an extensive overuse of pesticides. Overdosing is significant for upland crops, especially the use of herbicides for corn and upland rice cultivation. For off-season crops grown in the framework of contract farming agreements, the primary issue is not overdosing per se but rather the misuse of pesticides, marked by extensive mixing practices. Many fungicides with identical formulations or targeting the same pests are used in combination. Overall, the study’s findings highlight the heterogeneity of pesticide use across space, time, and production arrangements. These findings provide valuable insights into current spraying practices and underscore the need for further research and data-driven monitoring of pesticide usage.

Download the study here: CCL-Pesticide-Document-text-VIEW.pdf

This study was conducted in 2019 in Oudomxay province (Namor district) and allowed to :

1. Develop a typology of the hydro-sedimentary connections within the context of slash-and-burn and irrigated paddy field farming system in Northern Laos.
2. Formalize an innovative method to identify the main hydrological and pesticide flows at the scale of villages.
3. Identify potential management measures to reduce, or even stop, the pesticide flows.
4. Explore the use of mapping tools to modeling different types of vulnerabilities.

Download the study here.

This fact sheet describes the biological traits of the endemic species Luciocyprinus striolatus, as well as the results of the distribution survey, the habitat description and the threat analysis done in 3 watersheds in Laos: the Nam Young / Nam Hing (Bolikhamxay), Nam Theun (Khammouane) and Nam Phak (Oudomxay).

The fact sheet is based on the results from the pilot project “Conservation Activities, Threat Analysis, and Participatory Biological Research for the Endangered and Data Poor Fish Species Luciocyprinus striolatus in Lao PDR”, implemented by FISHBIO, CCL and Anoulak Association, from September 2021 to August 2023, thanks to the support from the CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN-Laos).

Download the fact sheet here.