The Lao PDR is rich in natural resources, aquatics and wildlife, which are priceless properties of the people. The Lao fauna comprises 166 species of reptiles and amphibians, 700 species of birds (another 100 are reasonably likely to occur), 90 unknown species of bats and over 100 species of large animals. About 500 indigenous fish species are reported to live in the Mekong River and its tributaries in the Lao PDR.
Aquatics and wildlife is important in socio-economic development and environmental protection in the Lao PDR. Moreover, they are firmly connected with the livelihood of the people. Therefore the Party and Government closely supervised the management, conservation and protection of forest resources, aquatics and wildlife throughout the country with the aim of sustaining and naturally breeding them. There are many decrees such as Decree No. 185 dated 21 October 1986 which ban the export of all species of wildlife, and Decree No. 118 dated 5 October 1989 on the management of aquatics and wildlife.
Every year the 13th of July has been earmarked as the day for releasing fish and conserving aquatics and wildlife. Licenses were issued and a ban on hunting in the breeding season was imposed. The people were inspired to understand the management, preservation, protection and use of aquatics and wildlife in compliance with the management rules on the national conservation of forests, wildlife and aquatics.
Even though there are decrees, rules and laws, the management, conservation, protection and use of aquatics and wildlife could not be fully monitored. There are laws on violation, destruction, illegal hunting and illegal import and export of aquatics and wildlife through the Lao PDR to other countries.
Another aspect is that at present, both domestic and foreign investors are interested in and are starting to increasingly invest in wildlife breeding and the cultivation of wild plants. However, the relevant state authorities were not able to fully implement their responsibility in the licensing of aquatics and wildlife businesses. The management, inspection and monitoring are not well implemented causing huge losses in revenue every year.
On 30 May 2004 the Lao PDR ratified and became a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Today, 170 countries in the world have become party to CITES and every country shall fulfil its own obligations, particularly in formulating the relevant rules, decrees and laws to be implemented in order to manage the trade in wild flora and fauna in compliance with CITES.
Therefore, it is necessary to issue the Law on Aquatics and Wildlife to ensure that the management, conservation, protection and use of aquatics and wildlife is uniform and effective and contributes to the socio-economic development and to consistently improving the livelihood of the Lao people.
