Assessment of watershed conditions in relation to changes in forest management policies in Namtan Watershed, Sayaboury, Lao People's Democratic Republic

The Namtan watershed has an area of 174.5 sq km. The watershed has a pear shaped basin with elevation ranging from 360 m to 1186 m. The mean slope is 36% and it is characterized by the wet and dry monsoon tropical climate. The rainfall is about 1320.9 mm with 92.55% falling during the rainy season and 7.45% during the dry season. The mean temperature is about 25.9 deg C and humidity is about 75%. Soil is clay-sandy loam with moderate depth and is yellowish red to brown. The drainage density is about 0.005/ha. About 60.75% of the Namtan watershed is covered by forest mainly mixed deciduous. It serves as livelihood source for local people. Shifting cultivation and tea plantations are present inside the watershed. Before 1990, the state owned all forestlands and resources. The thrust of the government was to fully utilize the country's forest resources for economic development. Forest management projects and/or activities appear less systematic. After 1990, Protected Areas were established and the Forest Law was approved by the country which provided more responsive forest management policies and practices. Minimal cutting was allowed to meet the housing needs of the communities living within the watershed. Dense forest increased by about 0.97% after 1990. Rugged terrain and poor accessibility could have limited the practice of shifting cultivation and cutting of trees on these areas. Shifting cultivation area also decreased by 22.7% after 1990. Sparse forest area decreased by 6.64. Shrub land increased by 7.93%. This change may have been due to stricter policies and enforcement of the Decrees on forest conservation. Poverty alleviation activities such as improved rice/crop production, strengthening existing and/or establishing key forestry institutions including forestry and natural resources could be important components of forest management policies and strategies of Lao PDR