Lao PDR has established the 217,400-hectare Nam Mouane–Phou Chomvoy National Park in Bolikhamxay Province, strengthening protection of one of the Annamite Mountains’ most important remaining forest landscapes and creating an important transboundary conservation corridor with Viet Nam.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon designated the National Park through Decree No. 262 dated 7 August 2026. The designation strengthens the legal status for conserving forests, wildlife, aquatic species, ecosystems and watershed resources, while prohibiting unauthorized land occupation, environmental destruction, incompatible development and illegal exploitation of wildlife and natural resources.
The establishment of Nam Mouane–Phou Chomvoy National Park also advances the Government of Lao PDR’s Forestry Strategy to 2035 and Vision to 2050. The Strategy calls for sustainable management and protection of conservation forests, biodiversity and critical habitats; stronger forest law enforcement; improved livelihoods for communities living in and adjacent to forest areas; and increased resilience to climate change. It also supports the national objective of increasing forest cover to 70 percent of the country’s land area and recognizes protected forests as important for biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, ecosystem services, nature-based tourism and green, sustainable socio-economic development. The new National Park therefore represents a practical contribution to implementing these national policy priorities at landscape level.
The National Park protects extensive forests, mountains and watersheds that provide habitat for globally threatened and endemic species, including the Saola, Northern White-cheeked Gibbon, Red-shanked Douc Langur, Annamite Striped Rabbit, Asian Golden Cat, Great Hornbill and Large-antlered Muntjac. Its forests also provide important ecosystem services and watershed protection for local economy and livelihoods of 29 villages and approximately 23,500 people that rely on them.
“The designation of Nam Mouane–Phou Chomvoy National Park represents an important milestone for Lao PDR’s protected area system and reflects the Government’s commitment to conserving the country’s biodiversity and natural heritage. Continued cooperation among government agencies, communities, private sector, and conservation partners will be essential to ensure that this landscape continues to provide lasting benefits for both people and nature.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General, Department of Forestry
The National Park shares more than 60 kilometres of contiguous protected-area boundary with Pu Mat National Park in Viet Nam, part of the Western Nghe An UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Together, the landscapes strengthen ecological connectivity across the Annamite Mountains and provide opportunities for continued transboundary conservation cooperation.
The new National Park consolidates four previously separate protected and conservation areas: Nam Chouan–Nam Xang National Protection Forest, Phou Chomvoy Provincial Protected Area, part of Nam Chat–Nam Pan National Protection Forest, and Phou Sithone Endangered Species Conservation Area.
The designation was led by the Bolikhamxay Provincial Agriculture and Environment Office, through the Provincial Protected Area Management Section, in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Provincial People’s Assembly, provincial and district authorities, local communities and relevant stakeholders.
Over the past three and a half years, with funding from Rainforest Trust, The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Foundation, and Harvey and Heidi Bookman, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has provided technical and financial support, including biodiversity and socio-economic assessments, field surveys, GIS mapping, boundary delineation, community consultation and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes. WCS has also supported law enforcement systems and implementation of the Forest Development Village Model to strengthen protected-area management and sustainable local livelihoods.
"The Annamite Mountains are an extraordinary center of biodiversity and a global conservation priority by almost any measure. By protecting this critical landscape, Lao PDR is not only helping secure the future of the Annamites for its people and wildlife, but also showing what real leadership on the global 30x30 commitment can look like in practice. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Lao PDR for its leadership and commitment to protecting this remarkable landscape, and to Harvey and Heidi Bookman and the Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Foundation, whose generous support helped make this lasting conservation achievement possible alongside WCS, local communities and other partners." James Lewis, Vice President of Conservation at Rainforest Trust.
“Nam Mouane–Phou Chomvoy National Park is a landmark achievement for conservation in Lao PDR. Protecting more than 217,000 hectares of Annamite forest strengthens a vital refuge for threatened wildlife, safeguards water and other ecosystem services, and reinforces ecological connectivity between Lao PDR and Viet Nam. WCS is proud to have supported government partners and communities in achieving this important milestone.” Dr. Santi Saypanya, Country Director, WCS Lao PDR.
Looking ahead, the designation provides a strong foundation for continued collaboration among the Government of Lao PDR, local communities, conservation organizations, donors, development partners and the private sector to ensure the effective, inclusive and sustainable management of this important landscape over the long term. Continued support and partnership will be essential to strengthen conservation, community livelihoods, law enforcement and sustainable management of the National Park. As infrastructure, energy, transport and other development activities are proposed in and around the landscape, WCS and its partners will also support constructive engagement with developers and relevant authorities to promote application of the mitigation hierarchy—avoiding impacts where possible, minimizing and restoring unavoidable impacts, and applying appropriate biodiversity offsets only as a last resort—to help safeguard the integrity, ecological connectivity and long-term conservation values of the National Park.