Order on Strengthening Responsibilities for Forest and Forest Land Management, Protection, Forest Fire Prevention, and Air Pollution (PM2.5 Dust) Control in Attapeu Province

Article

Lao People's Democratic Republic
Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity, Prosperity

Provincial Administrative Committee No. 71/PAC
Attapeu, July 2, 1996

Order
On Strengthening Responsibility in Management
Protection of Forests, Forest Land, Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires and
Control of Air Pollution (PM2.5 Dust) within the Entire Attapeu Province

To: Departments, Equivalent Agencies at Provincial Level, Provincial Military-Public Security Command, Administrative Committees of 5 Districts and Village Organizations.

- Pursuant to Article 20, Clause 16 of the Law on Local Administration (Amended) No. 78/NA, dated March 20, 2025;
- Pursuant to the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Strengthening Prevention Responsibility
On Forest Fires, Slash-and-Burn Agriculture, and Encroachment on Forest Land for Production, No. 0191/GP, dated January 26, 2022;

- Pursuant to the Order of the Governor of Attapeu Province on Strengthening Rigor in Management, Protection, Development and Use of Forests and Forest Land, Combating and Preventing Encroachment and Destruction of Forests, Forest Land and Forest Fires, No. 16/จขอบ, dated July 21, 2023;

- Pursuant to the Notification of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Strengthening Rigor in Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires and Control of Air Pollution (PM2.5) Nationwide, No. 0120/GS, dated January 15, 2026;

- Pursuant to the Proposal Letter of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry, No. 055/กสข.อบ, dated
February 10, 2026.

To ensure uniformity in the implementation and execution of central orders and notifications, in order to enhance responsibility in the management and protection of forests, forest land, prevention and suppression of forest fires, and control of air pollution (PM2.5 dust) throughout Attapeu Province, as well as to address irregularities in the encroachment and destruction of forests, occupation, purchase and sale of forest land, uncontrolled clearing and burning of forests, which are expected to occur during the period from February to April and spread over a wide area, these actions cause air pollution (smoke) such as: fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) increases significantly, causing severe impacts.
Affecting the health and livelihood of the people.

The Chairman of the Provincial Administrative Committee issues an order:

1. Let all departments, organizations equivalent to departments around the province, the command of the Lao People's Army and Police, the district and village administrative committees increase strictness and pay attention to performing their duties, rights and responsibilities in managing, protecting forests and forest land from destruction, considering such work as a political task, as an indicator of success or failure in the leadership and guidance of the Party committees and administrative committees at all levels;

2. Let all departments, organizations equivalent to departments around the province, the command of the Lao People's Army and Police, the district and village administrative committees proactively disseminate policies, laws, regulations
Regarding the management, protection, development and utilization of forests and forest land through various forms and methods, so that the whole society recognizes, understands and takes ownership to strictly implement;

3. Assign departments, equivalent agencies at the provincial level, the Provincial Military-Civilian Command, and the Administrative Committees of 05 districts to proactively continue monitoring and implementing the Order on strengthening strictness in management, protection, development and utilization of forests, forest land, combating and preventing encroachment and destruction of forests, forest land and forest fires, No. 16/ຈຂອປ, dated 28 September 2023, strictly;

4. Assign the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment to proactively coordinate with relevant sectors to review
Forest boundaries and forest land of each type shall be detailed in connection with the land allocation work for 3 forest types, and urgently conduct surveys and prepare allocation management plans, issue land titles, land certificates, land use certificates or land development certificates and other documents related to land possession and use, lease or concession in forest land areas; if it is found that the issuance or acquisition is incorrect, it shall be revoked and legal proceedings shall be taken in accordance with laws and regulations, with the participation of all parties. At the same time, continue to demarcate boundaries, install signs and markers clearly, and clearly assign responsibilities for management, protection, development and use of forest land to the local administrative committees.
5. Assign the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry and Environment to take the lead in coordinating with relevant sectors
To publicize, disseminate, and recommend regulations, rules, and measures regarding the prevention, suppression, and extinguishing
Of forest fires, namely: a) Collect data, identify high-risk areas to plan prevention, including monitoring and surveillance
Periodically; b) Establish specialized task forces, equip with materials and vehicles for inspection
Patrol, and promptly implement remedial measures and coordinate with relevant sectors in a timely manner;
c) Establish a publicity and dissemination task force to provide technical guidance to people living inside and outside protected forests,
Conservation forests, and production forests where they engage in production (shifting cultivation, gardening) and livelihood activities.
and 4) In case of severe and widespread forest fires that are difficult to access, coordination with relevant parties must be made, particularly with national defense forces, security forces, and neighboring provinces, to request timely assistance in extinguishing the fire;

6. Assign the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment to take the lead in coordinating with relevant parties to prevent and control air pollution (smoke) during the dry season as follows: 1) Raise awareness, report on the situation, and publicize information about air pollution (smoke) to the public, society, and educational institutions widely; 2) Compile data, monitor, prevent, and control sources of air pollution in collaboration with relevant sectors; and 3) Disseminate this order.
and elaborate into a specific notification to strictly prohibit the burning of all types of waste in open areas, including agricultural land, forests, residential areas (households), and waste disposal sites;

7. Assign the District Governance Committee, the District Agriculture and Environment Office 05 to take the lead, in coordination with relevant sectors and villages, to inspect, collect data, and address forest encroachment, occupation, purchase-sale of forest land, and the conduct of activities or businesses by individuals, legal entities, or organizations in forest areas and forest land, in cases of unauthorized or improper operations, to terminate, dissolve, dismantle, take measures, and strictly prosecute violators according to the law;
8. Assign the district and village administrative committees to be proactive and strict in preventing and suppressing indiscriminate burning of forests. In case a forest fire occurs in any locality, assign that locality to take the lead in organizing forces and equipment to extinguish it in a timely manner, ensuring no serious damage or widespread spread;

9. Assign disaster management committees at all levels to prioritize forest fire prevention work in the province's disaster sector by allocating budgets, preparing necessary materials and equipment for prevention, suppression, and extinguishing of forest fires, keeping them on standby for timely provision;

10. Prohibit individuals, legal entities, or organizations from indiscriminately burning forests for hunting, planting, as livestock raising sites, or
For other purposes, in case of finding violators, they must be responsible for the damages they have caused and will be prosecuted strictly in accordance with laws and regulations;

11. Let all provincial departments, the Public Security Command, and the district administrative committees within the entire province study and implement this order, as well as organize dissemination and integration into society for awareness and effective implementation;

12. This order shall take effect from the date of signing.

Chairman of the Provincial Administrative Committee

Distribution:
< Provincial Office 1 copy;
> Provincial departments 1 copy;
< Public Security Command 1 copy;
< 5 district offices, 1 copy each;
> Keep 1 copy for file.