IUCN Lao PDR
26 September 2013
Finalization of Phase 2 of the CEPF supported “Conserving Biodiversity and Sustaining Livelihoods along the Mekong River in Luang Phrabang, Xayabouri and Vientiane Provinces, Laos”
On July 4 2013, IUCN Lao PDR hosted a one-day workshop at its Vientiane office. The workshop participants included representatives from several environmental agencies at district, provincial, and central government-level of the study area, as well as representatives from the Faculty of Science at the National University of Laos, FISHBIO, and the Lao Biodiversity Association (which is an IUCN member). The objective of the workshop was to report to all levels of government on the achievements and future plans of IUCN Lao PDR’s project “Conserving Biodiversity and Sustaining Livelihoods along the Mekong River in Luang Phrabang, Xayabouri and Vientiane Provinces, Laos”which was funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).
During the workshop, IUCN staff presented the achievements so far in Phase 1 and 2 as well as plans for future projects in Phase 3. Presentations were given on a variety of proposed projects including turtle nest protection and community conservation areas but focused especially on a series of Fish Conservation Zones (FCZs) already under development in the study area. Participants were introduced to the concept of Fish Conservation Zones and their benefits to both endangered species conservation and local income improvement by enforcing a fishing ban in spawning and resting habitat for IUCN Red List, endangered species Probarbus jullieni and Probarbus labeamajor. Participants discussed and clarified questions relating to how different levels of government could work with local communities, IUCN, and FISHBIO to ensure successful implementation of these projects.