By Phoudasack Vongsay The Laotian Times Thu, May 21, 2026

Green karst peaks seen from the top of Mount Nam Xay a sunny morning with fog Vang Vieng. (Picture by Manifa Travel)

Laos is stepping up nationwide reforestation efforts in 2026, with authorities across several provinces preparing to plant more than 10 million trees and restore thousands of hectares of degraded forest land as part of wider climate and environmental protection campaigns.

The initiatives are being launched ahead of National Arbor Day on 1 June and World Environment Day on 5 June, with provincial authorities promoting tree planting, forest recovery, and public participation in environmental conservation.

Authorities across provinces said the campaign aimed to increase forest cover, recover degraded land, improve biodiversity, and encourage long-term public participation in environmental conservation.

Provinces expand forest restoration targets

In Vientiane Capital, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has prepared around 3 million seedlings to support tree planting and forest restoration activities across all nine districts.

The capital aims to plant and restore forests across 405 hectares in 2026, including 300 hectares of commercial plantations and 100 hectares of forest rehabilitation areas. Planting activities will take place along roadsides, in public parks, at schools, at temples, at offices, on state land, and in community spaces on 1 June.

Meanwhile, Attapeu province has prepared more than 4.23 million seedlings as part of its 2026 reforestation plan, making it one of the country’s largest restoration campaigns this year.

Provincial authorities aim to plant 630 hectares of new forest and rehabilitate more than 8,200 hectares of degraded forest land. Activities will include large-scale tree planting along the Xe Khong River in Samakkhixay district, environmental cleanup campaigns, and awareness programs targeting students and local communities.

Officials in Attapeu said the campaign is intended to strengthen public understanding of climate change, droughts, flooding, and the importance of forest conservation.

Elsewhere, Luang Prabang province has also announced plans to prepare around 1 million seedlings for forest restoration activities, while Champasak province aims to plant more than 1.5 million seedlings across the province.

In Salavan province, Ta Oi district plans to plant 218,157 trees across 306 hectares this year. Local authorities have prepared ten species of seedlings. 

The 70% Coverage Target

Authorities are placing greater focus on tree survival rates and long-term forest quality, while encouraging public participation in tree care during the rainy season to support forest recovery.

These campaigns align with Laos’ national forestry strategy, which aims to raise forest coverage to 70 percent by 2035. The target comes in response to long-term forest decline linked to agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development.

Over the past two decades, Laos has lost around 58 percent of its intact forest landscapes, putting pressure on ecosystems and increasing climate vulnerability. Officials say reforestation remains central to restoring ecological balance and reducing environmental risks.

With nearly 10 million trees planned across provinces, Laos is expanding its 2026 reforestation drive to restore degraded land and strengthen forest cover. Authorities also stress long-term care of planted trees to support sustainable forest recovery. 

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