Decree on fines and measures for violators of forestry laws and regulations.

This decree establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the administration of fines and other administrative measures against individuals, legal entities, and organizations that violate forestry laws. The primary purpose of this decree is to provide forestry officials with a uniform and strict basis for law enforcement to prevent forest destruction and promote sustainable forest management across the country. It applies to both domestic and foreign entities operating within the Lao PDR and classifies penalties into financial fines and additional measures such as educational training, asset seizure, and the revocation of business licenses.
The regulation details specific financial penalties for activities such as unauthorized logging, forest clearing, and burning, with fines typically scaling from three to five times the market value of the damage depending on whether the violation is a first or repeat offense. It also imposes heavy fines for the establishment of industrial facilities like wood processing plants, furniture factories, and charcoal kilns without technical and environmental permits. Furthermore, the decree regulates the possession and import of wood-cutting machinery and the transport of forest products, requiring valid documentation for all stages of movement.
A significant portion of the decree is dedicated to the logistical management of confiscated property, such as vehicles and chainsaws, by the agriculture and forestry sector.