Tourism Protecting Nature in Xe Pian!

North by North East believes that our business can make a positive contribution to the well-being of the planet. To achieve this, we work with a wide variety of proactive organizations and individuals.

Last month North by North East joined with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) for a survey of the Xe Pian National Protected Area in southern Lao PDR to support the regions ecotourism potential.

North by North East bird expert, Ms. Udon Junborworn consulting with WWF project staff, Xe Pian rangers and local wildlife guides from Kiet Ngong Village.

Xe Pian National Protected Area (NPA) located in the far south of Laos in Champasak and Attapeu provinces, is considered to be one of the most important bio-diversity areas in Indochina, particularly for its many species of large animals (Asian Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Banteng, Leopard, Sun Bear, Black Bear and Dhole) and water birds (Giant Ibis, White-winged Wood Duck, Sarus Crane and Lesser Adjutant).

Almost 10,000 people live within the Xe Pian and practice traditional agriculture and collecting forest plants to support their diet. However, as modern development encroaches, such traditional livelihoods are as threatened as the wildlife species.

An interview with local villagers on sightings of threatened birds - Wooly-Necked stork, Lesser Adjutant, etc - led into an impromptu meeting on benefits of protection and conservation - as the next generation listens closely.

Despite a series of projects working in Xe Pian NPA in the past, there is currently no international support for protected area management or integration of conservation with development priorities.

This means time is running out as tourism is currently on the rise in southern Laos and will require a strategy that incorporates stakeholder needs with development and environmental priorities. Poorly planned tourism development in Xe Pain NPA will have negative impacts on both conservation values and local communities.

The WWF Ecotourism Project in Xe Pian sets out to:

1. Set up ecotourism products based on the discovery of the NPA's natural resources.

2. Support and plan a sustainable tourism development strategy on a provincial scale, integrating the NPA as one of the essential components.

Paul Eschew, WWF EcoTourism Project Manager, after a flock of 15 Oriental Pied Hornbills flew across - 'too cool for words!'

3. Create a village fund financed from revenue generated by tourism activities.

4. Encourage village inhabitants to conserve the NPA for sustainable natural resources used to attract tourism revenue.

Sunrise and the bird enthusiasts are already on the move with the hopes to see a crane or hornbill - not this morning- but did see the lesser whistling duck, black-capped kingfisher, bronze-winged Jakana and many more