Vientiane: The Lao People's Democratic Republic has approved the National Tiger Recovery Action Plan (NTRAP), a strategic initiative aimed at restoring the tiger population within its borders. Signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment in March 2026, the plan will be spearheaded by the Department of Forestry. It serves as a long-term framework to guide coordinated efforts across key tiger habitats in Laos.
According to Lao News Agency, the NTRAP highlights a pivotal shift from merely protecting the remaining tiger population to actively restoring the habitat, prey, and protection systems necessary for the natural return of tigers. The plan prioritizes landscape restoration, prey recovery, and enhanced transboundary cooperation, particularly with neighboring Thailand. The absence of verified wild tiger records in Laos since 2013 prompted this strategic change, marking the last confirmed sighting in Nam Et-Phou Louey.
The importance of the NTRAP extends beyond its national directives for tiger recovery, as it was meticulously developed through a structured process involving consultations, technical reviews, and validation by various stakeholders. These included government agencies, provincial authorities, protected area management divisions, academic institutions, and conservation organizations. The approval of the NTRAP signifies a crucial moment, uniting national stewardship, technical guidance, and a practical framework for long-term execution. Key technical and financial support was provided by WWF-Laos throughout the development process.
The revised NTRAP builds upon insights from the first National Tiger Action Plan. While Lao PDR has experienced advancements in legal reform, protected area management, SMART patrolling, and community-based conservation over the past decade, challenges such as poaching, declining prey populations, and habitat fragmentation persist. The new plan addresses these issues with a stronger emphasis on recovery, clear priorities, and enhanced focus on implementation, financing, coordination, and sustained technical support.
Mr. Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry, stated that the NTRAP aligns with the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and underscores the Lao PDR's renewed commitment as a tiger range country. Through this action plan, the government is setting a national direction for tiger recovery and fortifying the foundation for coordinated action across priority landscapes.
