KPL
The Lao PDR has been ranked second among ASEAN countries for the proportion of forest area compared to total land area, according to the latest report released by Seasia Stats.
The report highlighted Laos’ continued efforts to preserve its rich natural environment, with forests covering approximately 62.0 percent of the country’s total land area. The figure places Laos behind only Brunei, which recorded the highest forest coverage in the region at 72.1 percent.
The findings reflect the significant role forests continue to play in Laos’ ecological balance, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. Large areas of natural forest remain spread across the country, contributing to climate regulation, watershed protection and sustainable development.
Among other ASEAN nations, Malaysia ranked third with forest coverage accounting for 55.3 percent of its land area, followed by Indonesia at 50.8 percent and Cambodia at 48.2 percent.
Meanwhile, Myanmar and Vietnam recorded similar levels of forest coverage at 42.2 percent and 42.0 percent respectively.
Further down the ranking, Thailand reported forest coverage of 31.6 percent, while the Philippines stood at 24.1 percent. Singapore recorded the lowest forest proportion among the listed ASEAN countries at 20.8 percent.
The Seasia Stats report underscores the importance of forest conservation across Southeast Asia as countries continue to face growing environmental challenges, including climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss.
KPL
