Protected areas hit hard as Mekong countries’ forest cover shrank in 2024

Mongabay
Mongabay
2M ago
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In 2024, Mekong countries lost nearly 1 million hectares of forest, with significant losses in protected areas, driven by logging and agricultural expansion.
Protected areas hit hard as Mekong countries’ forest cover shrank in 2024
A 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

  • 1

    Deforestation Trends: Mekong countries lost nearly 1 million hectares of forest in 2024.

  • 2

    Impact on Protected Areas: Over 30% of forest loss occurred within protected areas.

  • 3

    Regional Variations: Thailand and Vietnam showed lower deforestation rates due to conservation efforts.

  • 4

    Drivers of Deforestation: Logging, agriculture, and hydropower projects are primary causes.

  • 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.

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