NEW XESAP NATIONAL PARK ANNOUNCED, DEMONSTRATING COMMITMENT TO CONSERVE THE UNIQUE BIODIVERSITY OF THE ANNAMITES
WWF COMMITS TO STRONGER SUPPORT FOR EFFECTIVE PARK MANAGEMENT
Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R, July 24, 2024
Xesap was officially designated as a National Park (NP) under a Prime Minister's Decree announced on June 25, 2024. This significant redesignation expands the protected area to a total of 202,300 hectares, including the 49,000-hectare Pale area, which is thought to be a significant and relatively undisturbed habitat for key species, contributing significantly to the 30X30 global biodiversity agenda.
“We believe this designation marks a crucial step towards enhancing conservation efforts and ensuring the sustainable management of Xesap’s rich natural treasures. WWF-Laos applauds the Lao government for this significant achievement and remains dedicated to supporting the park's management through our enduring partnership with the provinces of Salavan and Sekong,” said Loris Palentini, Country Director, WWF-Laos.“This recognition goes beyond congratulations; it reaffirms our collective commitment to wildlife and forest conservation, improving the resilience of local communities, and strengthening our collaborative efforts to reach our ambitious global biodiversity targets.”
Nestled in the Annamite mountain ranges, Xesap NP is a biodiversity hotspot, home to some of the world's most endangered species that are found nowhere else in the world. Among its inhabitants are the elusive Roosevelt's muntjac, vibrant red-shanked douc, the rare Annamite striped rabbit, and the stunning crested argus. New species are discovered in the Annamites at an incredibly high rate, including many large mammal species described for the first time by science in the last century. Notably, Xesap NP is also one of the few places in the Annamites where the legendary Saola—known as the 'Asian Unicorn'—has been sighted, and is thought to have high potential as a site for population recovery.
Spanning the provinces of Salavan and Sekong, with nearly 35 villages located in and around the park, Xesap NP is now one among seven NPs in Laos. With its forested valleys, limestone karst hills, vertiginous mountains, and extremely rich biodiversity and endemism, Xesap's redesignation as a NP from a National Protected Area is a well-deserved recognition of its ecological importance in the Greater Mekong.
“The announcement of Xesap as a National Park is a milestone for conservation, not only in Laos but also in the entire region,” says Vibeke Christensen, Head of Natural Resources and Climate Asia from KfW, the German Development Bank. Jointly with WWF, KfW has been supporting conservation measures in the Central Annamites through the implementation of the Carbon and Biodiversity (CarBi) project, now in its second phase, for more than ten years as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) with funding from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV).
Xesap has been a priority conservation site for WWF-Laos for the past decade, reflecting a long and dedicated partnership between WWF-Laos and the Government of Laos. The CarBi project and the Safeguarding the Annamites of Lao (SAoLA) project, funded by the Rainforest Trust and the Wyss Foundation, have played a particularly significant role in these conservation endeavors. The SAoLA project in particular conducted the survey and demarcation of the Pale extension that contributed to the recent redesignation.
“This announcement represents a major step forward for conservation in Laos and a significant breakthrough in the global effort to reach the 30x30 target,” said Molly McUsic, President of the Wyss Foundation. “Xesap National Park is a shining example of the progress we can make toward preserving biodiversity and protecting precious natural resources when we bring together government, philanthropy, and local communities. We applaud the Lao Government, WWF-Laos, Rainforest Trust, and other partners for their collective efforts to permanently protect Xesap.”
Xesap NP offers valuable opportunities for scientific exploration, including environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys, camera trap surveys for ground-dwelling species, and acoustic surveys for arboreal species (e.g. gibbons).
“The Annamites represent an array of ecosystems and habitats that support a growing list of rare and exquisite species. Rainforest Trust commends the Lao government for solidifying Xesap National Park as a priority area for conservation and expanding that protection for vulnerable biodiversity," said James Deutsch, CEO of Rainforest Trust. "The exemplary partnership between the Government of Laos and WWF-Laos and their collective dedication to protecting nature in Laos is inspiring.”
Following the designation of the area as an NP, and given its long history of working in Xesap, WWF-Laos aims to further strengthen its partnership with the Department of Forestry and the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices of Salavan and Sekong provinces, as well as with districts and local communities. Key goals include enhancing park management and biodiversity protection, promoting resilience of local community development, and ensuring long-term conservation success that benefits both people and nature.
