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What happened
In 2024, the Mekong countries—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—lost approximately 991,801 hectares of forest cover, with over 30% of this loss occurring in protected areas. Cambodia and Laos were particularly hard hit, with Cambodia losing over 93,000 hectares, primarily in protected zones, despite a slight decrease from 2023. In Laos, deforestation also declined but remained significant, driven by agricultural and mining concessions. Myanmar's deforestation fell slightly amid ongoing conflict, while Thailand and Vietnam reported lower losses due to effective conservation policies. The situation highlights the urgent need for improved forest governance and protection measures across the region.
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Key insights
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1
Deforestation Trends
Mekong countries lost nearly 1 million hectares of forest in 2024.
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2
Impact on Protected Areas
Over 30% of forest loss occurred within protected areas.
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3
Regional Variations
Thailand and Vietnam showed lower deforestation rates due to conservation efforts.
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4
Drivers of Deforestation
Logging, agriculture, and hydropower projects are primary causes.
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5
Need for Governance
Improved forest governance is crucial for conservation.
Takeaways
The ongoing deforestation in the Mekong region underscores the urgent need for effective conservation strategies.