Opium cultivation imperilling endangered species in northern Laos

Abstract

Abstract Scant research has been conducted concerning the impacts of opium cultivation on endangered fauna in Southeast Asia. Remote sensing and ranger patrolling in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has revealed an alarming growth of opium poppy cultivation inside the park. To avoid government eradication efforts, these fields are cleared in remote areas of the forest overlapping critical habitat for northern white-cheeked gibbon, Asiatic elephant, dhole and clouded leopard. We used satellite imagery, ranger patrol data and social media to (a) measure opium clearings in a section of the park’s totally protected zone and (b) assess its impact on these endangered species and others. We found, from 2018 to 2022, a > 2000% increase in protected forest annually cleared for the crop. Ranger patrol data revealed a ten-fold increase of encounters with cable snares in the same area over this time and videos online reveal cultivators hunting protected species near these fields. Our findings reveal that the displacement of illicit cultivation into protected areas is a side-effect of eradication efforts and has negative ecological impacts beyond deforestation alone. We also report on a strategy in 2022 by the park to reduce the use of these forests for opium cultivation through community outreach and police collaboration. We recommend continued coordination between the park, local communities, and law enforcement and suggest neglecting the eradication of opium poppy in designated agricultural areas before the successful eradication of all opium poppy inside protected areas can be achieved.