A new decree has upgraded the Xesap protected area in Salavanh and Sekong provinces to national park status. The park now covers 202,300 hectares, including the 49,000-hectare Pale area, aligning with the global “30X30” agenda to safeguard 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. Located in the biodiversity-rich Annamite mountains, Xesap is home to many rare species, including the elusive Saola, and is known for frequent discoveries of new species.

The World Wide Fund for Nature in Laos (WWF-Laos) has supported conservation in the area through the Carbon and Biodiversity (CarBi) project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment. The German Development Bank (KfW) has also played a crucial role. Loris Palentini, Country Director of WWF-Laos, commended the Lao government for this significant move. Vibeke Christensen from KfW and other international conservation leaders praised the initiative as a milestone for regional biodiversity.

Looking ahead, WWF-Laos plans to collaborate with local and provincial authorities to improve park management and ensure long-term conservation success. This initiative aims to benefit both local residents and the environment, ensuring the protection of this unique biodiversity hotspot.

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