Logging in Laos

Logging in Laos has been considered illegal. However, logging and deforestation in Laos has been happening   all over the country. It happens so openly that international environmental protection groups have to send a formal request to the Lao government to strictly enforce the existing logging law. The Lao government appeared to have ignored the request because they are part of the problems. Yet, the government may argue that they have tried to solve the problems. If they are serious about solving these problems, logging should have been reduced. In reality, logging has been increased steadily throughout the country. Every day, all main roads connecting China and Vietnam to Laos are jammed with trucks carrying logs. If logging is really illegal, it should not happen so openly. Perhaps, it is illegal for poor Lao people, but legal for rich government officials and their allies such as Chinese and Vietnamese logging companies.