Phase 2 Page #3

OLDM Initiative: Final Report – Phase 2 Page #3

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

2 Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

3 Background – OLDM Origins and Evolution -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

4 OLDM Progress and Status ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13

4.1 Phase 2: Coordination and Knowledge Consolidation and Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring

Tool Development------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14

4.2 Phase 2: Dry Season OLDM Cycle Preparation and Training --------------------------------------------------------------- 17

4.3 Phase 2: Dry Season 2020 OLDM Cycle Preparation, Training and Implementation --------------------------------- 19

4.4 Phase 2: Intact Forest & FLUP Monitoring Tools Development and OLDM HRD/HRM ------------------------------ 30

4.5 Phase 2 Finalization: OLDM Initiative Coordination, Reporting & Management, Wet Season OLDM Cycle and

FLUP Monitoring Tool Pilot Launch-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

5 Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 42

5.2 Detailed OLDM Initiative Progress and Phase 3 and 4 Recommendations --------------------------------------------- 46

5.3 OLDM Implementation Issues, Phases 2 and 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52

5.4 Methodology Improvements, Phases 2 and 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56

5.5 OLDM Initiative Long-Term Outlook and Recommendations -------------------------------------------------------------- 59

6 Annex I: Conclusions & Recommendations – Summary Tables ------------------------------------------------------- 66

6.1 Summary of Phases 1 and 2 and Overall Recommendations for Phase 3 ----------------------------------------------- 66

6.2 Detailed OLDM Initiative Progress and Phase 3 and 4 Recommendations --------------------------------------------- 67

6.3 OLDM Implementation Issues, Phases 2 and 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 69

6.4 Methodology Improvements, Phases 2 and 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 70

6.5 Major OLDM Phase 4 Issues and Long-Term Recommendations --------------------------------------------------------- 72

7 Annex II: Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring Tool Background and Rationale --------------- 74

7.1 OLDM Initiative Support for Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) - Background ------------------------------------ 74

7.2 OLDM and Support for FLUP Monitoring Tool - Rationale ------------------------------------------------------------------ 75

8 Annex III: OLDM Training Manuals and Videos ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 77

9 Annex IV: OLDM Issues by Category with Current Status (May 2021) ---------------------------------------------- 80

9.1 Categories -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 80

9.2 OLDM Issues Sorted by Activity Category with Current Status as of May 2021 --------------------------------------- 80

10 Annex V: OLDM Issues – Phases 1, 2 and 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 99


List of Figures

Figure 1: Simplified OLDM Cycle for Law Enforcement, Components 1 through 5 ............................................... 12

Figure 2: Annual OLDM Calendar with Regular OLDM Cycles and Capacity Building ............................................ 12

Figure 3: Main OLDM Tools, Components 1 through 5 ........................................................................................ 13

Figure 4: OLDM Activity Categories ..................................................................................................................... 13

Figure 5: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – mid-May to end-September 2019, 4.33 Months ............................. 14

Figure 6: Sample OLDM Lao-language Manual Page. ........................................................................................... 14

Figure 7: Interpretation of Delta-rNBR/FCDM Colours and their Change Years ................................................... 15

Figure 8: Pilot FLUP Monitoring Activity, Pakse, Champassak Province, August 2019 .......................................... 16

Figure 9: Recently established cassava field inside community regeneration forest, Aug., 2019 ......................... 16

Figure 10: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – October to end-December 2019, 3 Months ................................ 17

Figure 11: OLDM Training Award Levels and Requirements .............................................................................. 17

Figure 12: OLDM System Retreat and Training in Vientiane Province between 4-6 December 2019 ................. 18

Figure 13: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – January to Lao New Year, 3 Months ........................................... 19

Figure 14: Northwestern Hin Nam No NPA showing Sandstone Outcrop and potential logging area ................ 20

Figure 15: Opening session, OLDM Cycle #3, Vientiane Plaza Hotel, 10-21 February 2020 ................................ 21

Figure 16: OLDM Trainees break into 5 Provincial Groups to work on the OLDM Components and thereby

prepare for the fieldwork .............................................................................................................................. 21

Figure 17: Team lunch in the field ..................................................................................................................... 22

Figure 18: Logging in small stream valleys from local villagers taking advantage of the road access ................ 22

Figure 19: Phases 1 and 2 OLDM Field Survey for the ICBF Project in the Northern Conservation Landscape (NCLS)

in Luang Namtha and Bokeo Provinces, 2019-2020 ........................................................................................ 23

Figure 20: The OLDM Team inspecting cutting of low quality trees useful for kindling as a village business. .... 24

Figure 21: Rough new road route (black dashed line) and actual survey (yellow dots). .................................... 24

Figure 22: The OLDM Team hiking to the base camp with the soldier-guards and -porters along with NPA Staff.

25

Figure 23: PAFO Bokeo OLDM Team member Bountong Vue demos OLDM data collection tools to the Base

Commander and troops. ................................................................................................................................ 25

Figure 24: Undisturbed forest but no large trees, relatively open. .................................................................... 26

Figure 25: Phases 1 and 2 OLDM Field Survey for the ProFEB/ICBF Projects in Hin Nam No NPA in Boualapha

District, Khammouane Province, 2019-2020 .................................................................................................. 27

Figure 26: Relationship between Delta-rNBR values/colours and tree stump locations. ................................... 28

Figure 27: This old soldier had been in the area throughout the war and was an invaluable guide. ................. 28

Figure 28: Ban Nongma field survey – old logging road into forest (TL), bomb crater (LL) and tree stump from

legal logging for school building. .................................................................................................................... 29


Figure 29: DoFI Team Leader Bee Aphaiso discusses the survey progress with Phouvong DFIU and Dong Ampham

NPA Staff. ...................................................................................................................................................... 29

Figure 30: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – April to July 2020, 3.5 Months .................................................... 30

Figure 31: The Intact Forest (White) area allows us to filter out Secondary Forest or other regrowth to focus on

the best quality undisturbed forest areas. ..................................................................................................... 31

Figure 32: MangoMap FLUP Monitoring Tool allows non-GIS experts to access and use the data to better

understand land use change over time and monitor new encroachment. ..................................................... 32

Figure 33: The OLDM Training Roster tracks all participants and their achievements within OLDM so that they

can climb up the ladder to Team Leader, Trainer and Developer. .................................................................. 33

Figure 34: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – August to mid-October, 2.5 Months ........................................... 34

Figure 35: Human Resources Development and Management Plan for the first 3 phases of OLDM. ................. 35

Figure 36: Approximate OLDM costs by project activity per phase. .................................................................. 36

Figure 37: Approximate OLDM costs by expenditure category per phase. ........................................................ 36

Figure 38: The OLDM Briefing Meeting with DOF/DoFI Directors-General was an important milestone for the

eventual institutionalization of OLDM. .......................................................................................................... 37

Figure 39: OLDM Cycle #4 in Phouvong District DAFO. ...................................................................................... 37

Figure 40: Cleared area within the reservoir that will eventually flood once filled. .......................................... 38

Figure 41: Seangsak Phanmanyvong, Dong Ampham NPA Chief measures illegally cut log in Ban Phounyang. 38

Figure 42: Attapeu Province OLDM Field Missions, Phases 1 and 2. .................................................................. 39

Figure 43: Salvage logging camp in the Nam Kong 3 area above the reservoir level.......................................... 40

Figure 44: Wildlife is sold for food at both informal markets, out of the backs of pickup trucks in Styrofoam

boxes and openly in the main market. ........................................................................................................... 40

Figure 45: Coniferous Pine Forests in Dakcheung are prized mostly for their ease of use as kindling, but also for

timber for housing and other purposes ......................................................................................................... 41

Figure 46: OLDM Activity Categories for Conclusions and Recommendations .................................................. 42

Figure 47: OLDM Phasing, Supporting Projects and OLDM Training and Implementation Cycles ...................... 45

Figure 48: Categories for OLDM Issues.............................................................................................................. 80


List of Acronyms

ADB Asian Development Bank

Aruna Aruna Technology Co., Ltd.

BCC Biodiversity Conservation Corridors (ADB Project)

CCLS Central Conservation Landscape

CUZ Controlled Use Zone

DAFO District Agriculture and Forestry Office

DALaM Department of Agricultural Land Management

Delta-rNBR Change in the ratio of Normalized Burn Ratio

DFIU District Forest Inspection Unit

DOF Department of Forestry

DoFI Department of Forest Inspection

DPAM Department of Protected Areas Management

EC European Commission

EU European Union

FCDM Forest Canopy Disturbance Monitoring Tool

FIPD Forest Inventory and Planning Division

FIRMS Fire Information for Resource Management System

FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade

FLUP Forest and Land Use Planning

F-REDD Sustainable Forest Management and REDD+ Support Project

FSO FLEGT Standing Office

GCP Ground Control Point

GIS Geographical Information Systems

GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

GOL Government of Lao PDR

GPS Global Positioning Systems

HNN Hin Nam No NPA

HRD/HRM Human Resources Development/Human Resources Management

ICBF Integrated Conservation of Biodiversity and Forests (KfW Project)

IT Information Technology

JRC Joint Research Centre

KfW Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau

KXNM Khoun Xe–Nong Ma NPA

MAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

MoNRE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

MRV Monitoring, Reporting and Verification

NCLS Northern Conservation Landscape

NFMS National Forest Monitoring System

NGO Non-Government Organization

NPA National Protected Area

NRT Near Real-Time

NUOL National University of Lao PDR

ODK Open Data Kit

OLDM Operational Logging and Degradation Monitoring

PAFO Provincial Office of Forestry and Agriculture

PLUP Participatory Land Use Planning

POFI Provincial Office of Forest Inspection


PONRE Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment

PRAP Provincial REDD+ Action Plan

ProFLEGT Lao-EU FLEGT Project (GIZ Project)

ProFEB Protection and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity (GIZ Project)

QGIS Quantum GIS (Open Source GIS)

REDD+ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

RS Remote Sensing

SA/ASA System Administrator/Assistant System Administrator

TLAS Timber Legality Assurance Systems

TPZ Total Protection Zone

TWG Technical Working Group

UXO Unexploded Ordnance

VHR Very High Resolution (25cm to 1.5m)


1 Executive Summary

The Operational Logging and Degradation Monitoring (OLDM) Initiative has been an unusual effort

initiated by 3 different projects with forest monitoring needs, developed and managed by a private sector

Lao-registered company (Aruna Technology Co., Ltd.) and with excellent collaboration and support from

three separate donor-funded projects working with the Department of Forestry (DOF) and Department of

Forest Inspection (DoFI) – the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Biodiversity Conservation Corridors (BCC)

Project, the KfW Integrated Conservation of Biodiversity and Forests (ICBF) Project and the GIZ Protection

and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity (ProFEB) Project. The OLDM Initiative supports

the development and management of the OLDM System, a 5-component integrated application of

Remote Sensing (RS) data from satellite imagery using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software

and several mobile and internet Apps. It enables Near Real-Time (NRT) identification of changes in the

forest and supports OLDM Teams of DOF/DoFI and Provincial Staff to access, inspect and interdict the

illegal and legal logging in the field.

The Operational Logging and Degradation Initiative has successfully completed Phase 1 (Initial Training and

Pilot) in May 2019 and Phase 2 (Full Piloting) in October 2020. The Initiative is currently halfway through

Phase 3 (Expanded Piloting) which will run to early October 2021. The following has been achieved during

the first 3 years:

• A complete framework and overall methodology has been established along with monitoring

applications for different purposes including law enforcement, REDD+, NPA Management, Timber

Legality Assurance Systems (TLAS), forest patrol, infrastructure development and Forest and Land

Use Planning (FLUP);

• The methodology has been demonstrated to be able to identify individual logged trees

successfully and Illegal loggers have been arrested and prosecuted and the cut logs/planks seized

for eventual registration and eventual auction;

• A set of manuals and Lao- and English-language videos have been produced to enable staff to

direct their own learning outside of training sessions and a training roster and ad-hoc core OLDM

RS/GIS Unit are working at the Department of Forest Inspection (DoFI) including participation from

the Department of Protected Areas Management (DPAM) of DOF, and staff have been identified in

six participating provinces in the North, Central and South of Lao PDR (Bokeo, Luang Namtha,

Khammouane, Champassak, Attapeu and Xekong) who could begin to form ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS

Units in those provinces;

• Ad hoc joint Central and Provincial OLDM Teams have been formed from staff from the central

core ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS Unit, the Provincial Offices of Forest Inspection (POFI), and the Units of

the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices (PAFO) including National Protected Areas (NPA);

joint OLDM Field Teams include these staff and District Forest Inspection Unit (DFIU) and NPA staff

along with Village Committee members, soldiers, militia and Village Forest Patrollers;

• Thousands of locations of wildlife trapping and hunting and logging have been documented in the

field by Village Forest Patrollers working with the ADB BCC Project using the ODK Collect mobile

data collection app developed as part of OLDM while OLDM Teams have collected hundreds of

logged tree data points.

• An online interactive Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring Tool has been developed,

tested and deployed for initial pilot assessment to support the ADB BCC, GIZ Hin Nam No NPA and

KfW ICBF FLUP assessment and monitoring work and has been opened to the wider sector for

testing and comment;


• On 1 September 2020, the Directors-General of DoFI and DOF agreed that the OLDM System was

an important and useful system that can provide a technical solution to a range of monitoring

needs for forest and land management within Lao PDR and supported its eventual incorporation

within the regular monitoring processes of the GOL forestry agencies.

• The first half of Phase 3 has continued the progress from the earlier two phases particularly in terms

of:

- OLDM Team members taking over the running of the OLDM Cycles including identification

of field survey areas for inspection during the training and in the field and undertaking field

inspection without the International or National Advisors, while the National Advisor has

taken more of a lead in the OLDM Cycle Trainings;

- The FLUP Monitoring Tool has been received positively both within the OLDM Team and

with the FLUP agencies in the Provinces and short trainings have been piloted in each of

the active OLDM provinces;

- The OLDM System continues to successfully direct the Teams to degradation and logging

areas where they collect the data and archive it after the missions are completed and their

confidence in the system and skills are growing;

- During the late Dry Season Cycle, an Army Officer joined the Provincial training and field

survey work in Bokeo Province and expressed interest in joining the next full OLDM Cycle.

• However the ad hoc nature of the OLDM Initiative is starting to cause problems in terms of

finance, administration, personnel, and logistics:

- The three supporting projects have less budget and flexibility to enable provincial OLDM

Team members to participate in the training and field work;

- Project Administration remains difficult with the three separate projects having different

schedules, contracts, procedures, reporting needs, rules and objectives;

- DoFI personnel are often unavailable when needed for training or fieldwork, especially

the more advanced staff whose skills are now becoming in demand for GOL inspection and

interdiction activities;

- Many OLDM Team members are “volunteers” who are not yet GOL staff – the

DoFI/POFI/DFIU staff with this status do not have the authority for law enforcement

activities and need to be regularized.

- OLDM Central Teams transport arrangements or permissions have not enabled the OLDM

Teams to get deep into the forest to where the survey work has been planned and this has

limited the data collected and experience gained;

- OLDM Teams not gaining access to logging areas in National Protected Areas,

infrastructure projects and border areas;

- Training OLDM staff to Technician level generally takes 2 years and there is regular staff

turnover and reassignment, while finding suitable new OLDM staff is difficult

While many of these challenges will be long-term issues that will have to be resolved during

institutionalization, experience during the piloting has been important to provide direct experience and

understanding of what they are and the many different aspects that need to be considered. An important

consideration is that the three projects currently supporting the OLDM Initiative will be ending in 2021,

and their funding available for participating in OLDM training and field missions is already limited. This is

constraining planned activities for the remainder of Phase 3 and, in combination with the recent outbreak

of COVID-19 Variant and subsequent lockdown may necessitate changes in the workplan.

The long-term KfW support for the OLDM Initiative has been confirmed and is planned within the Forest

Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Project that is expected begin in the 3rd or 4th Quarter


of 2021. Since there will be a lag between the start of the KfW support and being able to access budget, this

leaves a gap in resources needed for continuation of the OLDM Initiative after the end of Phase 3 in October

2021. This is particularly concerning since the most important monitoring period is the late Dry Season

between January-April 2022 during which time no funding or projects are currently available to work with.

There is an urgent need to identify funding and new projects to bridge into Phase 4 in Q1 2022.

In the meantime, work for Phase 3 will focus on consolidating documentation, particularly getting as

many OLDM Team members to complete GCP Field Survey Forms as possible so the Training Roster can

be populated in advance of the next dry season and Certificates issued. In addition, research on the latest

technical tools, datasets and techniques will seek to improve the methodology, particularly the new Radar

for Degradation Detection (RADD) algorithm of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the developers of Delta-

rNBR. Objectives for the remainder of Phase 3 and the early part of Phase 4 to the end of 2021 include:

• Continuing to develop the capacity and cooperation between Central and Provincial ad hoc OLDM

Teams while developing a closer relationship with the Military, beginning at Provincial level;

• Participate in the Technical Working Group for the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS)

and other TWGs to coordinate with and promote the OLDM System to find new partner projects;

• Expanding use of mobile apps in project areas by redesigning the ODK Collect App for field data

collection and preparing a “Training of Trainers” manual and video to support Provincial staff to

extend the use of the Apps at district and village level;

• Focus on operationalizing FLUP support and the short FLUP OLDM Cycles to train and extend the

FLUP Monitoring Tool to the Forest and Land Use Planning organizations in the Provinces while

improving the Tool based on feedback;

• Have a second System Administrator Training and an internal OLDM Retreat to build teamwork

and identify important issues requiring improvement or change from within the OLDM Team and

feedback from DoFI and DOF management;

• Prepare Outline/Concept Papers for DoFI management on Human Resources Development and

Human Resources Management (HRD/HRM) and Cooperation with the Military;

• Update and improve the existing OLDM Component 1-3 and 5 Manuals and videos where needed

and create the manual for Component 4 for the use of MangoMap for field mission planning and

reporting;

• Have two senior Central OLDM Team members run the OLDM Cycle trainings in the wet and dry

seasons that remain in 2021 – Central and Provincial OLDM staff are now managing the field

surveys;

• Objective at the end of 2021 – 30 OLDM Staff at Technician level or higher, 2 DoFI Trainers, 4

Provinces “graduated” from the OLDM Program.

This report also looks into the future with Phase 4 starting in October 2021, and beyond. Some

recommendations from this include:

• Handover of the management of the OLDM System to the DoFI will happen whenever the

administrative, institutional and other requirements are in place;

• High-level coordination with other ministries, departments, concessionaires and the Military is

needed to gain access to areas where logging is occurring in advance of field inspection – this is

beyond the scope of the OLDM Initiative but could be supported through coordination with the

GIZ and KfW FLEGT Project and the TWG-NFMS;

• Eventually the Central OLDM Units would support the Provincial OLDM Teams by assigning 1-2

staff to liaise, coordinate and support each Province including working in the field with them.


2 Introduction

This is the Final Report for Phase 2 of the OLDM System that is written to summarize work from the end of

Phase 1 in June 2019 through September 2020, and plans for the continuation of OLDM through the third

phase until September 2021. The report also raises some issues based on the experience of the two and

half years of the Initiative as we look towards the future. This paper includes background, reporting,

thoughts and ideas on the development and implementation of OLDM from the perspective of Aruna

Technology Co., Ltd. (Aruna) as the main implementing agency managing OLDM for the partner projects of

the Lao EU-FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) Project (ProFLEGT), the Asian

Development Bank (ADB) Biodiversity Conservation Corridors (BCC) Project and the KfW Integrated

Conservation of Biodiversity and Forests (ICBF) Project and for the institutional partners of the Department

of Forest Inspection (DoFI), the Department of Protected Areas Management and the Forest Inventory and

Planning Division (FIPD) of the Department of Forestry (DOF). Both DoFI and DOF

are departments within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). This

Final Report is intended for all three of the partner projects and is the main

reporting output for the work; each individual project report will have

separate reporting specific to the terms of reference and work undertaken

for that project to complete their required documentation.

3 Background – OLDM Origins and Evolution

OLDM is an unusual animal in terms of development aid, in many ways neither fish nor fowl. Efforts to

develop long-term government monitoring systems and capacity typically are single Project-based and have

specific and sufficient resources allocated for the purpose with dedicated staff or consultants to carry out

the work. The Project Investment would result in an output of counterpart staff equipped and trained to do

the work within the context of regular government activities to fulfill the longstanding mandates of the

department in question. The government would have a commitment from the beginning to support the

operation and continuation of the work using their own budget and to integrate the system into their

existing workflows, personnel and processes.

OLDM, on the other hand, has developed organically as the result of a series of loosely connected pilot

activities supported by a series of different projects over the last 12 years at the Department of Forestry

(DoF) and elsewhere. The component parts that have been integrated to form OLDM were created and

refined to address specific requirements of those projects; on the way, they contributed to the research,

development and testing of the tools and technology, and the training of personnel first at the Forest

Inventory and Planning Division (FIPD) and then at the Department of Forest Inspection (DoFI). As a result

of the involvement of many personnel, departments, donors and consultants, the technology has been

widely adopted for a range of different purposes and staff exist who can use them at varying levels of

capacity at Central and Provincial levels. The simplified outline of the OLDM System in terms of its five

components and the process flow is shown in the figure on the next page, while the different component

parts are shown on the page after that.


Figure 1: Simplified OLDM Cycle for Law Enforcement, Components 1 through 5

An unusual and interesting aspect of the work has been the close cooperation between Lao PDR-based

private sector forestry and technology companies and the Government of Lao PDR (GOL) and its forestry

projects and programmes. The companies have promoted the use of satellite imagery, image processing

and classification software and GIS to support desk study research and analysis, and Android-based Tablet

Apps that support improved field survey and data collection. The cooperation enabled the GOL and Projects

to build an archive of historical data and forest cover maps at regular intervals and to access the RapidEye

and, eventually, PlanetScope daily satellite imagery and delivery systems at a heavily discounted

introductory price. As a result, they were able to develop the understanding, techniques, data, software

and supporting apps that form the core of the OLDM System. As technology rapidly evolves, the OLDM

System has moved increasingly to use of open-source data and cloud computing including cooperation with

the European Commission’s (EC) Joint Research Centre (JRC) in using their Forest Canopy Disturbance

Monitoring Tool (FCDM).

Figure 2: Annual OLDM Calendar with Regular OLDM Cycles and Capacity Building

So the ad hoc approach required to navigate the initiative through different donors and projects aimed at

different objectives provided the needed flexibility and agility in the research and development of the

component parts of the OLDM System. This would not normally have been possible but the Department of

Forestry (DoF) and DoFI strongly supported the research, development and use of the latest technology


with the assistance of their long-term advisors and consultants. Through informal coordination and strong

GOL cooperation, the pieces of the technological puzzle were gradually shaped and assembled.

Figure 3: Main OLDM Tools, Components 1 through 5

The OLDM System is now established at the central DoFI/DOF through the training of the core group of DoFI

and DPAM staff who will form the main central support team for implementation in the provinces. The six

participating provinces (Luang Namtha, Bokeo, Khammouane, Champassak, Attapeu and Xekong) have built

small to large teams that have demonstrated a higher provincial capacity for utilizing the OLDM

technologies than originally planned. Phase 2 represented a recognition of the higher potential and benefit

of increased work with the provincial staff and shift towards building that capacity with central-level

cooperation. The initial pilot has been refined and new applications developed to address other important

land use issues while field activities were ramped up. Phase 3 is planned to continue this momentum

through the finalization of piloting OLDM while the longer-term support and institutional issues are being

addressed through the support of GIZ and KfW among other donors. While Phase 2 was successful in

achieving more work and more of the objectives than originally planned, the ad hoc nature of the OLDM

Initiative is beginning to cause problems in continuity, funding and scheduling of staff and field missions as

the supporting projects come to their end.

4 OLDM Progress and Status

Refer to the OLDM Final

Report: Phase 1 for the

detailed description of the

activities and

development of the

OLDM System and

Initiative through end-

May 2019. This section

provides a detailed

description of the

activities undertaken

during Phase 2. For the

Activities spreadsheet,

the TOR and colours refer

Category Activities

1 OLDM Administration, Management, Coordination, Promotion

2 OLDM Methodology Research and Development and Support

3A OLDM Training Manuals and Videos

3B OLDM Training Preparation, Coordination, Logistics

3C OLDM Cycle Training and Follow Up Support

3D OLDM Training (Non-OLDM Cycle) and Follow-Up Support

4 OLDM Cycles

5 OLDM Documentation and Reporting

Figure 4: OLDM Activity Categories


to the Project/Agency supporting that work and the number of days of Aruna consulting time to do the

work. In November 2019, the columns expand to include the inputs of Khampaseuth Kong-Ay (KKA), the

National Consultant who was initially under contract directly to GIZ, and then to Aruna.

4.1 Phase 2: Coordination and Knowledge Consolidation and Forest and Land

Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring Tool Development

Figure 5: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – mid-May to end-September 2019, 4.33 Months

4.1.1 Updating and Improving Methodology and

Manuals

The rainy season provided the time needed for catching

up on creating and updating the step-by-step and click-

by-click PDF manuals for the different components and

the new technologies and processes that had been

introduced by the end of Phase 1. The methodology that

was piloted was refined to skip steps that were found to

be ineffective and to take advantage of what had been

learned during Phase 1 to better streamline the work.

This was documented extensively in the OLDM Final

Report: Phase 1 along with the various lessons learned

and conclusions and recommendations from the

experience of the initial pilot.

Creation of the manuals and videos is an intensive and

time-consuming process so is expensive in terms of

consultant time/cost. However, the investment is

important for the primary objective of building capacity

for implementing the OLDM System and its various

technologies within the different monitoring and field

survey activities of the DoFI and DOF and their

provincial counterparts. Self-learning is necessary to

learn the complicated concepts about the data and its Figure 6: Sample OLDM Lao-language Manual

Page.


interpretation and to internalize how to undertake the many steps to do the GIS and analysis work. The

manuals are translated into the Lao language as well as English. Different staff prefer video of the

Consultants providing a narrative in English or Lao while the desktop shows the click-by-click work to do the

different tasks of the OLDM Components. The creation and improvement of the manuals and methodology

remains a constant and consistent activity throughout all phases of project implementation.

4.1.2 Development of Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring Tool

During this time, an important land use issue arose within the ADB BCC Project area in Champassak Province

where cassava promotion has caused a large conversion of village community forest into cassava plantation.

Correspondence with Andreas Langner1 of the JRC and research into the Forest Canopy Disturbance

Monitoring Tool (FCDM), or Delta-rNBR enabled the production of countrywide annual datasets in a

relatively short time period as well as quick turnaround of local area analyses for the more intensive logging

detection analysis with Sentinel imagery. The countrywide datasets provided an accurate year-on-year map

of where upland agriculture occurred as well as where the forest was converted for plantations. This data

could then be refined and combined into a number of other interesting datasets that would support both

monitoring and revision of existing Forest and Land Use Plans and creation of new ones.

Colour

Interpretation

Table

2014-2015 or

2017-2018

2015-2016 or

2018-2019

2016-2017 or

2019-2020 Resulting Colour

Annual Change

Figure 7: Interpretation of Delta-rNBR/FCDM Colours and their Change Years

Aruna used the FCDM with historical Landsat data and created an annual yearly forest degradation map

showing larger change areas that had changed between May 2 the previous year and May 1 that year. The

annual map filtered only larger areas typical of upland agriculture to remove noise (0.45 hectares or larger)

and masked out cloud areas. Then the analysis combined three annual datasets into a single colour dataset.

This way, three years of change are shown clearly in the different colours.

4.1.3 Phase 2, Training 1: OLDM FLUP Cycle Pilot

This was a new activity developed for OLDM to address the problem and a pilot effort. The ADB BCC staff

who had participated in OLDM Phase 1 also participated within this FLUP pilot exercise so there were

sufficient computers and staff who could undertake the basic setup of the GIS so that the meeting

1 Andreas Langner is the developer of the FCDM at the EC JRC.


participants could observe the change maps over the

specific areas where the cassava had expanded. Since

Champassak had not been included in previous

fieldwork, the training introduced a large number of

new staff to OLDM and to many of the technologies.

This is a common situation at the start of interaction

with OLDM – after a short time, the appropriate staff

are identified who have computers and an ability to

use the technology while others drop out since they

can’t follow the work or continue to participate

primarily as field surveyors with a basic overview of

the underlying technologies.

4.1.4 Fieldwork and Follow-Up

The fieldwork confirmed the accuracy of the FLUP

Monitoring Tool data and the extent of the

encroachment into the community forest areas in all

of the village areas visited in Phathoumphone District.

This included well-established and newly planted

areas throughout the locations surveyed including

fields being cut out of good quality community forest.

This demonstrated to the participants the accuracy of

the Delta-rNBR and FCDM data since it corresponds

clearly to the changes shown in the daily PlanetScope

3m resolution satellite imagery. The investigation and

fieldwork led to prosecution of the company officials

for encouraging and supporting the encroachment

along with sanctions for some government staff and

villagers. The ADB BCC Project eventually met with the

communities where the encroachment had occurred

and came to an agreement with them on a forest

regeneration plan to resolve the problem with the

District governor and other concerned officials. ADB

BCC activities in Champassak Province however have

completed, and the province wasn’t included within

the Forest Investment Project (FIP) funding. Some

Provincial NPA staff have continued to join the OLDM

Cycles in order to continue their capacity building,

however there will not be sufficient staff trained to

have the province “graduate” from OLDM.

Figure 8: Pilot FLUP Monitoring Activity, Pakse, Champassak Province, August 2019

Figure 9: Recently established cassava field inside community regeneration forest, Aug., 2019


4.2 Phase 2: Dry Season OLDM Cycle Preparation and Training

Figure 10: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – October to end-December 2019, 3 Months

4.2.1 OLDM Human Resources Development and Management (HRD/HRM)

The OLDM Training Roster is a spreadsheet that tracks every OLDM training and fieldwork activity including

who attends, subject matter, location, etc. The purpose of the Roster is to enable staff to progressively build

their capacity and have that recognized with official certificates. There are over 100 staff currently on the

Roster as of the end of Phase 2. Maintaining the Roster is a regular administrative activity that was

completed at this time. The initial training award levels and requirements are listed below:

OLDM Training Award Level

Award Requirements

OLDM Developer Attended at least 3 OLDM Cycle trainings and cycles, managed Teams, undertaken and managed training of full OLDM Cycle, created parts of OLDM Methodology

OLDM Trainer Attended at least 3 OLDM Cycle trainings and cycles, managed Teams, undertaken and managed training of full OLDM Cycle

OLDM Team Leader Attended at least 2 OLDM Cycle trainings and has successfully undertaken 2 full cycles with at least 100 surveyed points/GCP Survey Forms, managed Team

OLDM Technician Attended OLDM Cycle training and has successfully undertaken full cycle including all Components and at least 50 surveyed points/GCP Survey Forms

OLDM Field Surveyor Attended OLDM Component 5 Training and has successfully undertaken Field Survey and collected at least 50 surveyed points

OLDM Basic Attended OLDM Cycle/Component Trainings and has successfully implemented a full Component by themselves

OLDM Intro/Overview Attended OLDM introductory and/or overview trainings, has basic understanding of OLDM System and Component

Figure 11: OLDM Training Award Levels and Requirements


4.2.2 Supporting OLDM Ad Hoc RS/GIS Unit to Complete GCP Survey Forms

The GCP Field Survey Forms were created in Phase 1 of OLDM as a means to guide OLDM staff through the

complex steps and procedures to assess a degradation event and document it for accuracy assessment and

future action. While the GCP Field Survey Forms were indicated by the OLDM staff to be useful, it became

apparent that there were some problems in having them complete the forms satisfactorily. It was agreed

that there were sufficient issues both with the technical aspects as well as logistics and administration of

the work to date to justify an additional dedicated training/workshop including senior DoFI management to

discuss the OLDM Initiative. This was organized for early December 2019 in Thalad, Vientiane Province.

4.2.3 Phase 2, Training 3 – OLDM Initiative Ad Hoc Core RS/GIS Team Retreat and Training

This training included all current members

of the OLDM Core RS/GIS Team chaired by

Khamfeua Sirivongs, the Director of the

DoFI Legislation and Policy Division and the

FLEGT Standing Office (FSO) and as such

main counterpart of the ProFEB Project.

The training had the objectives to review

the status of OLDM including staffing and

training at central and provincial levels and

different issues that had arisen in the work

and to continue working on technical

issues to enable preparation and

completion of the GCP Field Survey Forms

while preparing the data for the upcoming

OLDM Cycle in the New Year.

The OLDM Human Resources Development

and Management plans were introduced

including the idea of OLDM Training Levels and Certificates and discussions held about eventual

formalization of the OLDM System and the ad hoc Core RS/GIS Team within DoFI. The Director agreed that

the OLDM System should eventually be institutionalized within DoFI and managed by them and a separate

lab and office be made available for the RS/GIS Team. However, he noted that these things take time within

the GOL system so it would be a step-by-step approach. In the meantime, the Director agreed that Aruna

were the most appropriate organization to maintain “ownership” and management of the OLDM Initiative

while the institutional and administrative arrangements were put in place within DoFI to eventually take

over.

4.2.4 Delta-rNBR Algorithm Research and Testing

Aruna continued to test and research the Delta-rNBR data using a number of different parameters and post-

processing techniques to develop better datasets for the FLUP Monitoring Tool and for use in developing

long-term and sequential data on forest cover change and regeneration. This activity concluded the OLDM

Initiative work for 2019.

Figure 12: OLDM System Retreat and Training in Vientiane Province between 4-6 December 2019


4.3 Phase 2: Dry Season 2020 OLDM Cycle Preparation, Training and

Implementation

Figure 13: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – January to Lao New Year, 3 Months

4.3.1 Post-Holiday Restart

This period included the main dry season for 2019-2020 when access to the field survey locations is best

and more logging and upland field preparation activities are in progress. The original plan was to begin the

OLDM Cycle training in Vientiane on 21 January 2020 and then proceed to the field in early February

including work in all six OLDM Initiative provinces. However there were delays in administration of contracts

for Aruna and the usual lack of momentum after the holidays. In addition, key OLDM RS/GIS Team and DoFI

management staff were unavailable because of other commitments in the provinces in January. Instead,

Aruna liaised with the projects to resolve the various issues, revised the work plan and GCP Field Survey

Forms and continued to research, test and develop new national datasets using the Delta-rNBR algorithm.

4.3.2 Work with the GIZ Hin Nam No NPA and ICBF Khouang Xe-Nong Ma NPA Projects

Part of the terms of reference with the ProFEB and ICBF Projects is to support their work monitoring the

Hin Nam No (HNN) and Khouang Xe-Nong Ma (KXNM) NPAs in Khammouane Province. The work began with

a review of the data in and around the NPAs. A large archive of RapidEye 5m multi-spectral satellite imagery

was acquired by the GIZ project previously working the province. In addition, the OLDM Team had

undertaken initial fieldwork in the Northern part of the Hin Nam No NPA during Phase 1. In preparation for

the initial fieldwork the Team had processed Delta-rNBR images for several different timeframes and

locations.

4.3.3 Addressing Problems in GCP Field Survey Form Completion – Revised Form and Videos

Continued discussions with the OLDM Team and the Advisors narrowed down some of the issues in the lack

of completed GCP Field Survey Forms from the Teams. Some of the fields were not possible to complete

because of the lack of data and participating staff often stopped at that point, not understanding that they

could just leave it blank. Some of the data initially included has turned out to be not very useful, such as the


FIRMS fire data (too coarse and inaccurate) and the Landsat data (too coarse and infrequent). The GCP

Field Survey Form Template was therefore revised to make it easier to complete. The OLDM Advisors also

started researching ways to make it easier to access the data.

As it was clear more guidance was required for the completion of the GCP Field Survey Forms, the OLDM

International Advisor recorded a video showing the OLDM Staff how to complete all of the different steps

of the GCP Form including where to get the data, how to capture it on screen and annotate it, how to select

the different choices from the menu and what do they mean, and how to interpret the different data that

is put into the GCP Forms. The GCP Forms serve as another way to reinforce the step-by-step analytical

approach to interpretation where OLDM Staff will consider a range of different information at the potential

survey location (or already surveyed location) and then explain what they thought the remote sensing data

showed them and what the actual situation in the location in the field was, and what can be learned from

this. The OLDM National Advisor then re-recorded his version of the video following the English one in the

Lao language. All OLDM Training Manuals and Videos are maintained on the OLDM Project Google Drive for

the Team members to access.

The GCP Field Survey Forms will serve a number of purposes. They document the field inspections so that

illegal logs, logging equipment, wildlife and wildlife hunting equipment and gears can be confiscated and

the offenders arrested and prosecuted. They serve as an archive of different situations that the OLDM Team

have encountered that can teach new trainees about what to look for on the computer screen and what it

means in the field. The data will also be important for the Forest Inventory and Planning Division (FIPD) of

the Department of Forestry and the F-REDD Project who are compiling the National Forest Inventory Survey

and supporting the national level REDD+ mapping and carbon stock estimations.

Figure 14: Northwestern Hin Nam No NPA showing Sandstone Outcrop and potential logging area


4.3.4 Phase 2, Training 4: OLDM Cycle #3, Dry Season 2019-2020

The third OLDM Cycle was a full cycle of two weeks in

Vientiane between 10-21 February 2020 to prepare the

participants from all provinces except Champassak for

the dry season fieldwork. A total of 22 staff attended not

including the Chair (Director Khamfeua) and the OLDM

International and National Advisors. These 22 staff can

be broken into 6 DoFI/DPAM ad hoc Core RS/GIS Team

members, 3 project consultants, and 13 Provincial staff.

The Provincial participants included 7 PAFO and 6 POFI

staff.

The objectives of the training were:

1. To provide an update and overview of the

OLDM Training Levels and Certificates and

objectives for the Dry Season analysis and

fieldwork;

2. To prepare Delta-rNBR, PlanetScope satellite imagery, and Identify Field Routes and GCP Points

for OLDM Cycle #3;

3. To undertake a Field Practicum and provide background training in MangoMap to build

continued confidence in the OLDM System;

4. To prepare Ground Control Point Survey Forms for OLDM Cycle #3.

As this was the third OLDM Cycle, participant

experience levels ranged from not having

attended any OLDM trainings or cycles to the

remaining 3 Core DoFI OLDM Team members

who had attended all trainings and cycles. The

3 new Core DoFI/DPAM OLDM Team members

attended their first OLDM Cycle training.

Provincial attendees included 4 each from

Attapeu and Khammouane, 2 from Bokeo and

Luang Namtha and 1 from Xekong. After the

Opening Address by the Chair, the OLDM

Training Roster and Achievement Levels were

re-introduced and explained with the goal of

getting participants to continue to learn the

technology and tools and to complete the

documentation so they can advance and get

certificates and higher responsibility within the

program.

The training was completed successfully and participants returned to their home provinces to get ready for

the fieldwork. The ad hoc Core OLDM RS/GIS Team and Consultants packed and traveled to Luang Namtha

Province.

Figure 15: Opening session, OLDM Cycle #3, Vientiane Plaza Hotel, 10-21 February 2020

Figure 16: OLDM Trainees break into 5 Provincial Groups to work on the OLDM Components and thereby prepare for the fieldwork


4.3.5 Phase 2, Field Survey 1 – Ban Pakkhan and Ban Pinho, Luang Namtha, 24-29 February

2020

The OLDM Joint Team assembled in Luang

Namtha and met with the ICBF Provincial

Advisor and their counterpart Provincial PAFO,

NPA and POFI staff. The initial meeting

introduced the OLDM Team to the Province and

provided them a brief summary of our work

and technology and plans for building capacity

for monitoring in the provinces. The OLDM

Team prepared the data for going to the field in

the Ban Pakkhan area in Viengphoukha District

where a new road running parallel to the

Eastern part of the Nam Ha NPA was of

concern. Afterwards, the Team was traveling to

Bokeo Province, so would go via Muang Long

and inspect some unusual degradation patterns

observed in the Ban Pinho area.

The large group split into two Teams. The first group encountered a group of villagers doing illegal fishing

with electrical gear and hunting wildlife – this was a tense encounter with armed villagers unhappy to have

been apprehended. Eventually the villagers and their gears were taken back to the Viengphoukha District

Forest Inspection Unit for processing and eventual prosecution. As a result, only a small amount of logging

was encountered in the stream basins leading into the forest areas on the West of the new road before the

Team had to leave to undertake their law enforcement work in prosecuting the offenders. The Teams

returned to Luang Namtha and downloaded the data and photos from the field trip and uploaded the new

data for the Ban Pinho area into their Smartphones or Tablets.

Figure 17: Team lunch in the field

Figure 18: Logging in small stream valleys from local villagers taking advantage of the road access

OLDM System Initiative: Final Report – Phase 2 Page #23

Figure 19: Phases 1 and 2 OLDM Field Survey for the ICBF Project in the Northern Conservation Landscape (NCLS) in Luang Namtha and Bokeo Provinces, 2019-2020


The Ban Pinho degradation turned out to be

a village firewood operation in a secondary

forest relatively close to the road. This area

was not in a conservation forest zone and the

trees were not commercial trees but a

variety that apparently is valuable for

kindling. The amount cut was clearly more

than could be reasonably used by the village

so was likely being kept for sale – there were

large stores of the same wood observed in

the village. However, this was not illegal. The

information was quite useful however as it

demonstrates a different kind of signature

within the Delta-rNBR and satellite imagery

that we can look out for in the future.

After spending the weekend in Long District,

the OLDM Teams travelled to Muang Meung in Bokeo Province to begin the mission there.

4.3.6 Phase 2, Field Survey 2 – Nam Khan Military Road, Ban Houay Dokthong, Bokeo. 1-5

March 2020

A major concern had arisen within the ICBF Project’s support for the conservation of the Nam Khan

National Protected Area (NPA) – the regional military had reportedly decided to build a new road

running East-West through the Nam Khan from Ban Houay Dokthong village. This information was

limited in its volume and detail, so only a rough outline of the potential road location was available,

as shown on the map in the following figure as a black dashed line.

Figure 20: The OLDM Team inspecting cutting of low quality trees useful for kindling as a village business.

Figure 21: Rough new road route (black dashed line) and actual survey (yellow dots).


The ICBF Project were concerned that

bisecting the NPA with a road would

result in major negative impacts on the

NPA as it would lead to increased

logging, hunting, trapping and eventual

expansion of upland agriculture into the

Total Protection Zone (TPZ) that would

threaten the very viability of the NPA.

The mission was to investigate the

potential location for the new road, see

if the military plans could be confirmed

and determine whether there had been

any degradation as a result of people

anticipating the road construction.

After camping overnight in the forest,

the OLDM Team were escorted to the

starting point of the new road by the

soldiers and travelled along the planned

route through the first 3 benchmarks. The

benchmarks were clearly marked and were

observed and recorded, and their location was

consistent with the expectation of a new road

into the area. The Team observed many new

agricultural fields along the lowlands around

the river leading from the NPA as well,

indicating that there is increasing

encroachment towards the border of the NPA

from the nearby villages.

The OLDM Team returned to the Military Base

and had an informal discussion with the Base

Commander and his Deputy. They noted that

they approved of the activity of monitoring

logging and would be happy to support it in the

future so long as the OLDM Team continue to

go through channels. The OLDM Team made an

informal demonstration of the field data

collection software (Oruxmaps and ODK

Collect) and showed the different data points

that had been collected. During the

subsequent discussions, the OLDM Team

offered to train the Army Patrollers in the use

of the system so that they could function as

forest patrollers at the same time and document logging and wildlife offenses. This could be a major

benefit for the conservation of forest and wildlife since the Military are one of the six agencies

authorized to arrest people breaking the forest law and they are trained, equipped and responsible to

patrol the deep forest areas. This mission demonstrated the possibility and potential for cooperation

Figure 22: The OLDM Team hiking to the base camp with the soldier-guards and -porters along with NPA Staff.

Figure 23: PAFO Bokeo OLDM Team member Bountong Vue demos OLDM data collection tools to the Base Commander and troops.


with the local military who are based in the forest and patrol it regularly. Afterwards, the OLDM Team

returned to Luang Namtha via Viengphoukha District for data download and debriefing of the ICBF

Project Advisor. The OLDM Team travelled back to Vientiane to debrief the ICBF and ProFEB Projects

and prepare for the next field survey in Khammouane Province.

4.3.7 Phase 2, Field Survey 3 – Hinboun TLAS Concession Monitoring, Khammouane, 9-13

March 2020

The OLDM Team travelled to

Thakhek in Khammouane

Province and met with the

PAFO and POFI to discuss and

present the planned activities,

schedule and locations for the

upcoming two weeks of

fieldwork. This included during

the first week the first mission

aiming to focus on the Timber

Legality Assurance Systems

(TLAS) whereby OLDM would

be used to monitor legal

logging and provide data and

documentation to satisfy

Forest Law Enforcement,

Governance and Transparency

(FLEGT) requirements. The

second week plan was to return to Boualapha District and continue the piloting of the monitoring of

illegal logging in the Hin Nam No NPA.

The survey of the Hinboun area confirmed the assessment from the satellite imagery. The areas were

relatively undisturbed but open forest due mostly to the underlying geology and soil that don’t provide

the conditions for dense forest growth. The locations where the Delta-rNBR indicated change were

surveyed and disturbance was found. However, the majority of the disturbance was natural treefall or

grasslands within the forest or some other reduction in the density of the forest canopy that reached

the threshold.

4.3.8 Phase 2, Field Survey 4 – Hin Nam No NPA Monitoring, Boualapha District, 15-20

March 2020

As the initial week had been disappointing in terms of data collection, the OLDM Advisor decided to

break the OLDM Team into 2 groups, both to increase the coverage and data collection and to start

getting the OLDM National Consultant and Government Staff to manage their own field survey

activities. Part of the human resources development and management (HRD/HRM) strategy for OLDM

is to continuously build up a roster of staff with different capabilities from Field Surveyors to

Technicians, Team Leaders, Trainers and Developers. The areas that were planned for investigation

included encroachment into the NPA Conservation and Use Zone (CUZ) for agriculture and small-scale

logging by local villagers. Unfortunately, as the International Advisor had to return to Thakhek for

funds, the first field day was lost due to a lack of direction and leadership among the Team amid

rumours of imminent COVID-19 quarantine.

Figure 24: Undisturbed forest but no large trees, relatively open.


Figure 25: Phases 1 and 2 OLDM Field Survey for the ProFEB/ICBF Projects in Hin Nam No NPA in Boualapha District, Khammouane Province, 2019-2020


Another interesting aspect of the field mission to Boualapha was the inclusion of a senior DoFI inspector

within the OLDM Team who came both as an observer and to provide authority for the mission. This

resulted in a more serious aspect to the work within the Team as well as with the villagers and other actors

encountered in the field. As the OLDM work proceeds towards eventual institutionalization, the

consequences of the work are becoming more serious for the offenders and for the Government of Lao PDR

staff involved in law enforcement and land management. The villagers who illegally cut these trees in Ban

Vangmaneu were prosecuted and penalized as a result of the interdiction.

Figure 26: Relationship between Delta-rNBR values/colours and tree stump locations.

The OLDM Team paused for a day to process the results of

the inspection and file the appropriate paperwork with the

District. The next day, the Team proceeded to the

northeastern access point to the Hin Nam No NPA in Ban

Nongma where the second area for investigation had been

prepared during the OLDM Cycle training. The area of

interest was within the Conservation and Use Zone.

The target area turned out to be just that – one of the more

heavily bombed areas in Lao PDR. The villagers were farming

in the area despite it being heavily contaminated by

Unexploded Ordinance (UXO). A farmer burning a distant

upland field was setting off UXO at regular intervals. The

OLDM Team followed the well-travelled paths to the forest

entry points with the local villagers who knew the area well.

However the risk of going into the forest and inspecting

areas off of the paths was too high, so the survey plan was

abandoned. Villagers noted that there had already been a

major logging operation in the area around 2010, and the old

logging roads could still be seen. However, nobody had gone

in to log for a long time. Instead, local villagers led us to an

Figure 27: This old soldier had been in the area throughout the war and was an invaluable guide.


area where they had permission to cut trees for the construction of a new school. This provided an

opportunity to gain data on the Delta-rNBR signatures for large trees in a clear location.

The lesson learned from this survey was to gain access to the current UXO database for Lao PDR and to

schedule funding and training for UXO awareness for the OLDM Teams. With the completion of the field

mission for ProFLEGT and ICBF in Khammouane Province, the OLDM Team moved on to Attapeu to work

with the ADB BCC Project.

Figure 28: Ban Nongma field survey – old logging road into forest (TL), bomb crater (LL) and tree stump from legal logging for school building.

4.3.9 Phase 2, Field Survey 5 – Dong Ampham NPA Monitoring, Attapeu, 23-26 March 2020

The OLDM Team assembled in the ADB BCC

Office in Phouvong District with the data ready

to go to the field only to discover that the

village where the survey was scheduled (Ban

Phounyang) had gone into its own traditional

lockdown where nobody is allowed in or out of

the village for two weeks. This was in response

to COVID-19, which by this point was becoming

a major concern among the Team as well as

among the villagers and cooperating agency

staff. As a result, the OLDM Team had to

reconvene and rerun the analysis to instead

return to the Dong Ampham NPA where the

Team had surveyed in the previous year but

had wanted to go deeper into the forest. After

preparation of the data, equipment and

supplies, the Team travelled to the Ranger

Station at Dong Ampham NPA Headquarters to

spend the night. In the morning, the Team travelled to the area where the work was planned and undertook

Figure 29: DoFI Team Leader Bee Aphaiso discusses the survey progress with Phouvong DFIU and Dong Ampham NPA Staff.


an initial reconnaissance survey into the NPA. Upon return to the village launch point, the OLDM Team

learned that the Government sent instruction that all work had to stop and everyone had to return to their

home stations. The country went into lockdown for COVID-19 prevention and that ended the dry season

field survey.

The lesson from the aborted Attapeu survey was to always prepare a contingency location for field survey

so that valuable time in the field isn’t wasted having to re-analyze a new area and prepare the data to go to

the field. Once the Team returned to their home bases, the data from smartphones, tablets, GPS receivers

and computers was downloaded, copied, processed, analyzed and archived. Regular messages with OLDM

Team members in the Province via WhatsApp and e-mail attempted to get staff to send their data and

complete their GCP Field Survey Forms during this time, however after the long field season and in COVID-

19 lockdown, work ground to a halt.

4.4 Phase 2: Intact Forest & FLUP Monitoring Tools Development and OLDM

HRD/HRM

Figure 30: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – April to July 2020, 3.5 Months

The COVID-19 pandemic response lockdown started in late-March and continued through April and into

May. This meant that, similar to elsewhere in the world, all work activities, schedules and meetings were

cancelled and staff told to remain at home and not go to their workplace. This actually turned out to be a

positive thing – it provided an opportunity for catching up on documenting the building of capacity within

the Government of Lao PDR (GOL) partner agencies and for the development of the OLDM System from a

technical point of view by creating some new tools.

While there were occasional periods where there was time to run some experiments with Delta-rNBR data

throughout the implementation of the OLDM Initiative, the chance to take a deep dive was a welcome one

that could potentially resolve some important ongoing issues, namely; (1) filtering out areas that are

unlikely to have commercially valuable timber, and (2) supporting the agencies and projects conserving

forest from encroachment from upland agriculture, and (3) resolving the key mapping issue of the “age” of

fallow plots. The first issue was resolved by improving the OLDM methodology through creation of a new

dataset. The second issue in particular was noted as one requiring resolution when the FLUP Monitoring

Tool was initially developed and piloted in July-August 2019. Further discussions with the GIZ Hin Nam No

Project, the ICBF Project and the ADB BCC Project concerning forest and land use planning issues had

confirmed both the problems identified (lack of monitoring capacity and lack of timely and easy-to-use

information on encroachment) and the interest in a tool that could assist non-GIS users to monitor their

areas. The third issue is a longstanding one within the Lao PDR forest sector that has a major impact on

numerous policy and practical matters.


1. Creation of the National

“Intact Forest” Dataset

The first and second issues were related

in two ways – both could benefit from

the national-level annual Delta-rNBR

datasets that the OLDM International

Advisor was researching and

experimenting with and both would

reduce the amount of work required by

OLDM Team members for reducing

upland agricultural expansion. By

providing tools that could identify

where the most valuable undisturbed

forest2 is then the OLDM System Step 2

would have much higher accuracy and

reduced time and effort for analysis for

illegal logging since the non-commercial

logging forest would be eliminated from

consideration immediately. By focusing

effort only on the best quality forest, the

most important areas would therefore

be monitored most carefully.

The areas where no change occurred

over the 20-year period represent

“Intact Forest” since there has been no

upland agriculture or other indication of

major change in these areas for a long

period of time. This is the best quality

forest in Lao PDR, and serves as a key input within the OLDM System Component 2 as one of the main ways

to screen areas out from consideration. Since the primary function for the OLDM System for Law

Enforcement and NPA Conservation is logging detection, the methodology filters out non-Intact Forest

areas so no time is wasted searching for possible logging activities in areas where there are no likely

commercial trees. This also provides a very useful dataset for the FLUP Monitoring Tool, since users can

identify which areas should be the primary conservation areas and where areas identified for conservation

are actually already part of a regular rotational agricultural cycle so might not be suitable as it will impact

people’s livelihoods. Eventually, the processing was extended back to 1988 to produce a 32-year cumulative

dataset.

The creation of the 32-year annual and cumulative datasets and their various other products outlined in the

processing chain was an ongoing effort lasting many months due to the long times required for running

Delta-rNBR, downloading them, and then testing, assessing, processing and analyzing the results in QGIS.

The dataset functions well as one of the inputs into the screening and filtering process of OLDM whereby

2 We refer to this as “Intact Forest”, defined as “Forest area that has never been recorded in Annual Delta-rNBR data as having been used for upland agriculture for the last 32 years according to satellite imagery.”

Figure 31: The Intact Forest (White) area allows us to filter out Secondary Forest or other regrowth to focus on the best quality undisturbed forest areas.


we determine whether a “change” signal is degradation that represents logging. From an interest point of

view, and with emphasis on the caveats mentioned previously regarding the relative inaccuracy of the

analysis and lack of quality control, the amounts of “Intact Forest” over the 32-year analysis period were:

Lower Threshold (0.05) 33% Intact Forest

Higher Threshold (0.075) 48% Intact Forest

The creation of the “Intact Forest” dataset also provided inputs for the Consultant to the ADB BCC Project

(Indufor) who were in the process of preparing Provincial REDD+ Action Plans (PRAPs) for the three

provinces in the South. A click-by-click training manual was created outlining the process of the creation of

the annual and cumulative dataset so that it can be replicated and continued by GOL OLDM staff.

2. Development of the FLUP Monitoring Tool with MangoMap

The initial piloting of the FLUP monitoring with the ADB BCC Project had demonstrated that the information

from the annual change maps was relevant and accurate and reflected the time-based changes in upland

agriculture in those areas. However, the history of OLDM has also demonstrated that there is a difference

between something that “works” and something that is operational. The pilot activity had been effective,

but had relied on the OLDM Teams working with the PONRE and PDALaM provincial staff to observe the

information in QGIS. As noted earlier, an objective in the development of the FLUP Tool was to enable non-

OLDM and non-GIS users to access the information in an easy-to-use way that gives them what they need

without having to learn GIS. Then the workload for the OLDM Team is reduced.

By providing easy-to-use tools for agencies and projects working in Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP),

then these agencies (MoNRE/DALaM) can better monitor their work and reduce the encroachment for

farming into the forest without need for significant support from the OLDM Teams who will be busy with

the more important logging monitoring. Both these objectives would contribute to improved efficiency for

the OLDM Initiative and improved conservation of forest. With field activities shelved for an unforeseeable

Figure 32: MangoMap FLUP Monitoring Tool allows non-GIS experts to access and use the data to better understand land use change over time and monitor new encroachment.


amount of time, the ADB BCC Project were willing to support the work since it fit within their terms of

reference and stemmed from the initial work resolving the issues of conversion of community forest for

cassava plantations in Phatoumphone District in Champassak Province. The knowledge and FLUP

Monitoring Tool would enable the ADB BCC Project to work with the Provincial authorities to assess the

damage and monitor the remediation efforts.

MangoMap3 is a web-based map publishing software that functions as a simple GIS similar to Google Maps.

It offers a number of different capabilities, functions and tools and was subscribed to by the different

participating OLDM Projects initially for the purposes of OLDM Component 4. It is expected that the

interactive work between the Central and Provincial OLDM Teams will eventually shift to being more remote

using MangoMap as initially planned once Provinces “graduate” from the OLDM initial training program (2

years of active participation and completion of 5-6 full OLDM Cycles). In the meantime, MangoMap

functions as an ideal application for the FLUP Monitoring Tool since it is designed specifically for non-GIS

users and doesn’t require anything other than a web browser. By getting the Provincial OLDM Teams to

support their provincial counterparts to use the FLUP Monitoring Tool, they are learning how it functions

so that they can apply it within the regular OLDM logging monitoring cycles as Component 4.

4.4.1 OLDM Human Resources Management (HRM) and Training

The unexpected break in the field activities provided the time to finally update the OLDM Training Roster

and create the supporting documentation of the training activities to date. This involved taking all of the

3 FULL DISCLOSURE: MangoMap is a UK-based software company that shares partial ownership interest with Aruna.

Figure 33: The OLDM Training Roster tracks all participants and their achievements within OLDM so that they can climb up the ladder to Team Leader, Trainer and Developer.


training and fieldwork registers and with the assistance of the OLDM National Advisor transcribing them

into English and entering them into the Roster spreadsheet. The Training Activities are updated along with

the workplan on a regular basis throughout the implementation of OLDM. As the program remains organic

and agile, frequent changes occur in the schedule and it is often challenging to gain commitments longer

than 2 weeks in advance. Considering that OLDM also deals with three supporting projects with their own

administration and workplans, the program has managed to continue to progress with relatively few

problems.

By mid-June 2020 with the effective GOL response to the COVID-19 pandemic having successfully protected

the country, the “all clear” was given and working life returned more or less to normal. This allowed the

OLDM Advisors to re-contact the OLDM ad hoc RS/GIS Team and continue to work with them on resolving

the different technical, administrative and logistical issues that were preventing the GCP Forms from being

completed. At this point, there were only 3 staff who had successfully completed at least 25 GCP Forms.

This became the focus of ongoing informal training and materials development. The OLDM National Advisor

prepared two Lao language training videos to support the Team to complete the GCP Field Survey Forms

and distributed them via the OLDM Google Drive.

4.5 Phase 2 Finalization: OLDM Initiative Coordination, Reporting &

Management, Wet Season OLDM Cycle and FLUP Monitoring Tool Pilot

Launch

Figure 34: OLDM System Phase 2 Activities – August to mid-October, 2.5 Months

The GIZ ProFEB I Project ended at the end of June 2020 – this was a critical and difficult time for a number

of reasons. The GIZ FLEGT Project provides the support for the core ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS Unit so they lost

their support to work with OLDM or participate in trainings. The ProFEB Project had also sponsored the

large multi-project trainings in Vientiane during full OLDM Cycles and the costs for the central level staff to

work in the provinces with the OLDM projects. The overall long-term support for the FLEGT Program from

the German Government was also under consideration, and there were strong indications that there was

going to be a reallocation of funding from one of the main sources of German development assistance to

Lao PDR (BMZ). At the same time, the five-year Government of Lao Communist Party meetings and elections

were underway at all levels and all departments. This results in many changes in scheduling and

uncertainties in who would be in which position afterwards, so things tended to move quite slowly and

major decisions would not be made. As funding was under consideration for both ProFEB II and long-term

FLEGT support from KfW, it was very important to gain official and senior level support for the Operational


Logging and Degradation Monitoring System from the Departments of Forestry and Forest Inspection (DOF

and DoFI). This would provide an important justification for gaining long-term support for the OLDM

Initiative from KfW and other projects as the use of the OLDM System expands to new provinces.

With this in mind, Aruna needed to summarize, explain and promote OLDM to the non-technical decision-

makers at DOF and DoFI. A major issue with OLDM is that it is a highly complicated and technical system

with many different and components, tools and data. It takes the OLDM Team participants several full

OLDM cycles including fieldwork before they understand it fully. So communicating what it is and what it

does to others without the technical background in a short time is a big challenge. Aruna set out to create

a series of simple graphics that summarized what the different steps of OLDM are and what they do and

how they relate to identifying logging in near-real time. This “reimagination” of OLDM resulted in a

Presentation Deck that could be adapted to a range of audiences for different purposes to help them

understand how OLDM might help them monitor their areas or projects.

In the meantime, Aruna started to develop the workplan for Phase 3 including the Human Resources

Development Plan. The experience of the first two phases of the OLDM Initiative have demonstrated the

fluidity of personnel assignments and commitments and the need to be flexible in terms of staff ability to

participate while fulfilling their other objectives; and how there are many staff who will be unable to pick

up the complex technologies or participate in remote forest survey so will drop out of the program. On 21

August, the OLDM International Advisor met with Director Khamfeua Sirivongs and Mrs. Sithong, the Chief

of the DoFI Administration and Organization Division to discuss personnel issues. This included how the

technology tends to favour younger staff who are recently graduated and who have often learned basic GIS

and are very mobile phone and App-conversant. Other issues raised included how to find and create an

environment to encourage more women to participate within OLDM, and how to cope with the reality of

the regular staff movements within the GOL bureaucracy but maintain the capacity to implement OLDM.

Aruna presented the ideas on how the ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS Unit formed and is developing along with the

nascent ad hoc Provincial OLDM Units that tend to be supported by whichever project is working in the

Figure 35: Human Resources Development and Management Plan for the first 3 phases of OLDM.


area. That the capacity building methodology for OLDM that mixes training with practical field mission

preparation and then actual interdiction to both learn from the situation in the field and take action has

proven successful. It was noted that different staff have started and left, or joined later on, or are available

on occasional missions/trainings, so having OLDM participants at different levels is a challenge but a fact of

life. Each OLDM Cycle has introduced a significant number of new staff to the methodology. At the

conclusion of the meeting, the DoFI senior managers requested Aruna to continue to develop the long-term

human resources plan for OLDM for DoFI and prepare a document for their consideration.

Another issue that was examined during this time was the costs for implementation of OLDM to date, and

what continued implementation and expansion of OLDM to become a national monitoring system for Lao

PDR would cost. This turned out to be difficult to do because of the unusual nature of OLDM – as an

“Initiative”, it isn’t a budget line within any of the projects that support it or work with the OLDM System

as their forest monitoring system. Therefore the costs for the actual work and number of participants that

Figure 36: Approximate OLDM costs by project activity per phase.

Figure 37: Approximate OLDM costs by expenditure category per phase.


were recorded for some of the different trainings and field missions were used to estimate the costs for all

of the different activities over the first two phases, then applied to the Phase 3 workplan. Those costs are

presented here but discussed in more detail in the conclusions and recommendations. The main focus was

on external costs for items such as satellite imagery and software.

Finally, processing of the ADB BCC FLUP dataset to repair it, re-align the village borders with the district

borders and simplify it into the final dataset used within the FLUP Monitoring Tool continued as an ongoing

activity.

4.5.1 OLDM Initiative Briefing Meeting with Departments of Forestry and Forest Inspection

The meeting took place on 1 September 2020, co-

chaired by the Director-General of the

Department of Forestry Sousath Sayakoummane

and the Director-General of the Department of

Forest Inspection (DoFI) Somphone Keohavong.

The OLDM International and National Advisors

presented the OLDM System and how it works to

detect change in Near Real-Time (NRT) to enable

joint Central-Provincial Teams to interdict logging

and confiscate the equipment and logs. All

different aspects of the implementation of Phases

1 and 2 were presented and a lively discussion

ensued afterwards about key issues, particularly

additional costs required for international

expenses such as satellite imagery and software

and how well Lao staff were able to absorb the

complex set of technologies and eventually take

over and manage the system. The compatibility and overlap between the FLUP Monitoring Tool and the F-

REDD Project’s Provincial Degradation Monitoring System (PDMS) Tool was discussed – Aruna noted that

they were cooperating with the F-REDD Project and were interested to share experience and potentially

integrate the systems if that’s what the sector participants believed to be the best way forward. At the

conclusion of the meeting, Directors-General Sousath and Somphone jointly agreed on the OLDM Initiative

being an important and useful system that can provide a technical solution to a range of monitoring needs

for forest and land management within Lao PDR and agreeing on OLDM support so that it can be

incorporated within the regular processes of the Government of Lao PDR, particularly within DOFI and DOF.

4.5.2 Phase 2, Training 5: OLDM Cycle #4,

Phouvong and Dakcheung Districts,

September 14 to 2 October 2020

This was a shortened OLDM Cycle focused on two

objectives: to start work on adapting OLDM for Timber

Legality Assurance Systems (TLAS) in the Nam Kong 3

reservoir area in Phouvong District in Attapeu Province

and to undertake the initial field survey work in

Dakcheung District in Xekong Province. Both Attapeu

and Xekong Provincial fieldwork had been scheduled

Figure 38: The OLDM Briefing Meeting with DOF/DoFI Directors-General was an important milestone for the eventual institutionalization of OLDM.

Figure 39: OLDM Cycle #4 in Phouvong District DAFO.


for the Dry Season fieldwork when the COVID-19 lockdown stopped work in March 2020 so this work was

rescheduled for the wet season.

This was the second wet season OLDM Cycle as the first one had taken place in August-September 2019

focusing on FLUP in Phatoumphone District in Champassak Province. There were a number of reasons for

the OLDM System to include at least one wet season mission. Logging practices have changed in response

to improved monitoring techniques, so loggers are beginning to work in the wet season as well despite the

increased difficulties in order to avoid

detection. OLDM Teams need to better

understand what can and can’t be accessed

and learn how to work in the field in the

rains and what equipment is needed to

overcome the problems and dangers this

causes. The wet season fieldwork will also

be important for enabling follow-up from

the ad hoc core OLDM RS/GIS Team to

support the processing of the law

enforcement actions stemming from the

interdictions in the dry season.

The work began with the shortened OLDM

Cycle training and preparation work in the ADB BCC Office in

Phouvong District. The OLDM Teams were able to easily

access the main reservoir area, however the main road had

been heavily damaged by logging trucks in combination with

the rain so the Team had to get out of the vehicles and hike

to the site. The main consequence however was that the main

road through the reservoir could no longer be relied upon to

use to get to the new logging areas on the periphery. As to

the legal logging that was authorized within the reservoir

area, it was confirmed that there were no longer any trees

and everything had already been cleared. This, obviously,

prevented the OLDM Team from monitoring and

documenting the clearing since afterwards the area had also

been extensively bulldozed.

Figure 40: Cleared area within the reservoir that will eventually flood once filled.

Figure 41: Seangsak Phanmanyvong, Dong Ampham NPA Chief measures illegally cut log in Ban Phounyang.


Figure 42: Attapeu Province OLDM Field Missions, Phases 1 and 2.


As the initial plan had been to utilize

the main road to access the suspected

encroached areas outside of the

reservoir to the North and East and to

the South and East, an alternative

route needed to be found. The OLDM

Team returned to Phouvong District to

analyze the data and the most recent

PlanetScope satellite imagery to

identify possible access routes. As the

previous mission to Attapeu in the Dry

Season had identified a potential logging

event in Ban Phounyang Village but the

village had then quarantined itself

from outsiders, the OLDM Team was

split into two so that half the Team

would go to Ban Phounyang to follow

up that investigation. Discussions with

the District had also confirmed that

there were some security and access

issues on the North side of the

reservoir on the road that continued

towards the mining site that was

currently being developed by a

Chinese company who were

cooperating with the Military.

Therefore the analysis was focused on

the areas on the North side of the

reservoir but before that point while

arrangements were explored to enable

the Team to access those locations.

The OLDM Team investigating in the

Nam Kong 3 area above the reservoir line soon found evidence that there was ongoing logging,

including finding a camp with the logger’s tractor. However, it was also clear that the area had been

cleared previously, and the existing activity was more small-scale salvage logging by local people rather

than a major operation. The OLDM Team investigating Ban Phounyang discovered that there indeed

had been logging as suspected during the previous mission. The locations of the cut trees were

documented and measured accordingly.

The OLDM Team then finally made it to Dakcheung District in Xekong Province after two previous

attempts. As this was the rainy season and the ground was wet, the plan for Xekong Province that had

been prepared in the OLDM Cycle Training in Vientiane in February 2020 was no longer relevant since

access wouldn’t be possible. Instead, the OLDM Team took advantage of an opportunity to study the

coniferous pine forests in Dakcheung, where local people had been harvesting the trees for sale as

kindling and for use in building houses. Coniferous forest is not common in Lao PDR, so an opportunity

Figure 44: Wildlife is sold for food at both informal markets, out of the backs of pickup trucks in Styrofoam boxes and openly in the main market.

Figure 43: Salvage logging camp in the Nam Kong 3 area above the reservoir level.


to gain data on actual conditions within the forest in the wet

season and to survey where trees had already been cut was

important. The OLDM Teams were able to work with the

local community forest rangers supported by the ADB BCC

Project who had alerted the OLDM Team to the cutting to

go to the locations and document the cutting. The ADB BCC

Project’s use of the ODK (Open Data Kit) Collect App started

in 2017 when the OLDM International Advisor worked with

the project to design the forms and work with the patrolling

team to train them in how to use it. This replaced an old

paper version that was no longer effective. After 3 years of

use, the ODK Forest Patrolling App has collected over 5,000

data points of logging, wildlife, hunting, trapping and snares

demonstrating how it is appropriate for village-level use. On

the other hand, the wildlife commonly found openly sold in

markets in Dakcheung District speaks to the ties between

the communities and the forest and their dependency on it

for food. Resolving this dichotomy will be a big challenge for

the GOL in places like Dakcheung where this is the main

source of protein and other nutrients.

4.5.3 Trial Launch of the FLUP Monitoring Tool,

October 8, 2020

The last activity of Phase 2 occurred after the completion of the field survey in Dakcheung District

when the Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) data from the ADB BCC Project was compiled and

simplified into two zones, “Forest” and “Other”, with “Forest” being the area where the FLUP Plans

zoned for conservation and the “Other” area being zoned for use. The reason for simplifying the plans

is that there are many different Land Use Planning methodologies being implemented in Lao PDR by

different projects which use different systems and designations and classifications for zoning. Rather

than try to reconcile and standardize these, the objective was to make it easy to determine where the

“Conservation” and “Use” zones were so encroachment could be easily identified, measured, mapped

and addressed through intervention with the villagers.

The annual Delta-rNBR change images were compiled and cleaned and prepared as 3-year colour

images where Red/Green/Blue represent 2019-2020/2018-2019/2017-2018 respectively. A similar 3-

year colour compilation was made for 2014-2017, thereby providing a quick view of land use change

over the previous 6 years. The village boundaries are included as an outline and a comparison slider

bar within the webmap allows users to compare the plans to the actual changes that occurred to

determine whether there has been encroachment into the conservation zones and when it occurred

and how large and widespread it was. The MangoMap tool also includes “Sketch” functionality to

enable users to mark up the maps and share them with collaborators so that Teams working on a

village area can discuss and plan their mission and print and save the data for discussions with the

Village Committees.

The Trial Launch was intended to provide a range of projects and participatory land use planning (PLUP)

professionals and practitioners access to the tool so that OLDM management could receive feedback

on what works well, what doesn’t and what changes should be incorporated into the system. Based

on the responses and feedback, the pilot versions of the FLUP Monitoring Tool will be adjusted and

Figure 45: Coniferous Pine Forests in Dakcheung are prized mostly for their ease of use as kindling, but also for timber for housing and other purposes


more formally launched. It is intended that the Tool include regular up-to-date information on active

changes throughout the Dry Season as fields are prepared and burned in preparation for planting.

The trial launch of the FLUP Monitoring Tool represented the last activity of Phase 2. With the expected

start of ProFEB II on the horizon, the OLDM Initiative moved forward into the final phase of piloting

before institutionalization, Phase 3.

5 Summary

There are quite a number of different issues, conclusions and recommendations, many of which are

cross-sectoral or otherwise related. In order to assist readers to understand the issues discussed, the

following numbering key is used – this follows a similar categorization to that used for Chapter 4: OLDM

Progress and Status:

Figure 46: OLDM Activity Categories for Conclusions and Recommendations

This section will summarize overall progress and discuss some issues that were encountered in the

work and provide some conclusions and recommendations relating to them. Interested readers are

also referred to the OLDM System Initiative: Final Report – Phase 1 for a detailed description of the

activities and findings from the first 15 months of work along with relevant initial program conclusions

and recommendations. Those findings are integral to the work presented here and underpin the

activities undertaken and these conclusions and recommendations.

5.1.1 OLDM Phasing - Background

While the Operational Logging and Degradation Monitoring Initiative has developed organically and in

an unusual way, the general trajectory of the project can still be seen as following a more traditional

path. Different projects working with the Department of Forestry developed a number of different

technical applications while the geo-spatial technology that powered them grew exponentially

worldwide. The field tools were adapted from the previous work undertaken by Forest Carbon using

the Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect mobile App and the Oruxmaps mobile GIS software. The World

Bank/FINNAID SUFORD-SU Project introduced the Delta-rNBR algorithm and supported Aruna to

undertake development of the logging detection and documentation methodology using satellite

imagery in Southern Laos. The Japan Programme for Forest Preservation and Forest Information

Management Programmes built up the national mapping efforts and forest inventory capacity at the

Forest Inventory Planning Division (FIPD). KfW/GIZ CliPAD and ICBF Projects supported provincial-level

Number Category

1 1A OLDM Administration, Procurement, Funding and Management

1B OLDM Coordination, Cooperation and Promotion

2 OLDM System Methodology Research and Development and Support

3


3B OLDM Human Resources Development and Management (HRD/HRM)

3C OLDM Cycle Training and GCP Field Survey Form Preparation

3D OLDM Training (Non-OLDM Cycle) and Follow-Up Support

4 OLDM Cycle Field Inspection and Interdiction



mapping work through Aruna. GIZ started working with the Department of Forest Inspection on Timber

Legality Assurance Systems (TLAS) and institutional development of DoFI as part of the Forest Law

Enforcement, Governance and Trade Project (FLEGT). Throughout this time, Aruna was developing the

MangoMap software, which eventually split off into a separate company offering software-as-a-service

(SOAS) subscription web-mapping. Eventually, these agencies, companies, consultants and projects

jointly supported developing a standard approach that resulted in the creation and development of

the OLDM System and methodology with Aruna taking the lead role in November/December 2018.

After contractual arrangements were concluded, the GIZ ProFLEGT Project took the lead in providing

foundational support for DoFI and the institutional backing for OLDM while ADB BCC and KfW ICBF

agreed to support the work for providing monitoring of their forestry projects.

5.1.2 Phase 1 – Initial Training and Piloting

Thus, Phase 1 started the initial training and piloting for OLDM in March 2018. This initial piloting tested

the different system components and built the basic GIS, mobile survey application and remote sensing

processing and interpretation skills for the participating staff. It culminated in the first OLDM Cycle in

the dry season of 2019. Due to the involvement of three projects, the methodology was tested in

Northern, Central and Southern Lao PDR and a strong connection was built between the provincial

and central levels, with the provincial staff demonstrating and unexpected capacity to do even the

higher-level GIS work. Many changes were implemented along the way to take advantage of this

opportunity and to evolve the roles of the central ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS Unit and to move towards

establishment of provincial units. The first OLDM Cycle demonstrated many of the expected hiccups

that any new and complex system would experience in the first real application in the field. Most of

the issues however were logistical and administrative in nature rather than technical. The final field

survey in Luang Namtha demonstrated clearly to the participants the potential of the Delta-rNBR to

accurately identify logging and that the OLDM System worked and was appropriate for the purpose

and situation of the staff. The pilot can be adjudged to have been successful in having achieved the

objective of developing and pilot testing a Near Real-Time (NRT) forest monitoring system that can

identify small logging targets and support teams to survey to the location and record the data.

5.1.3 Phase 2 – Full Piloting

While the initial pilot demonstrated that the OLDM System could interdict logging at even a small scale,

there is a long way between that and having a fully operational and functional capacity to do the work

that is a regular and ongoing government function. The goal is to eventually institutionalize OLDM

with Aruna’s current lead role passing to the Government of Lao PDR (GOL) as soon as the

administrative and legal requirements to do so are in place. In the meantime, the objective for Phase

2 was to refine the system and prove that it worked through full piloting while maintaining the heavy

training and capacity building approach and focus. Full piloting aimed to demonstrate that the OLDM

methodology and system would be applicable to a number of different environments, monitoring

needs and forest applications and was robust and adaptable. Phase 2 included three OLDM Cycles

within the same approximate timeframe of Phase 1, so represented a move towards gaining more

experience and involving more provinces and provincial staff.

5.1.4 Phase 3 – Expanded Piloting

This report also covers the first six months of Phase 3 including the early and late Dry Season OLDM

Cycles and field work between November 2020 and Lao New Year in mid-April 2021. This is the

“Expanded Piloting” Phase where the training of the ad hoc core OLDM Teams at Central and

Provincial levels is completed and they “graduate” from the program and move into regular

1

2

3

5


implementation and institutionalization. Phase 3 includes 3 OLDM Cycles including the two during

this reporting period. The objective for Phase 3 is to have ad hoc GIS Teams established in four

Provinces with at least 1 Team Leader and 1-2 Technicians. Due to personnel changes, Khammouane

Province is at an earlier stage. For the ad hoc core OLDM RS/GIS Team at DoFI/DOF, the objective for

Phase 3 is to have 2 Trainers, 3-4 Team Leaders and 3 Technicians. Another focus of Phase 3 will be

to integrate the FLUP Monitoring Tool into the fieldwork through working with and training the

Provincial Offices of Natural Resources and Environment (PoNRE)/Land Division and the Provincial

Agriculture and Forestry Offices (PAFO) and Division of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM).

Shortened OLDM Cycles to introduce the MangoMap FLUP Monitoring Tool and field tools followed by

field inspection to demonstrate their use and the accuracy of the data. The objective is to build the

capacity responsible staff to use the Tool and field tools to support their work. Afterwards, the

Provincial ad hoc OLDM Teams can support their ongoing monitoring work for the FLUP sector. As

before, the agile development of the OLDM System and investigation and integration of new

technologies will continue along with the focus on building the capacity of the core OLDM Teams

and training of new staff.

5.1.5 Phase 4 – Initial Institutionalization

Phase 4 will begin in October 2021 and mark the end of piloting and beginning of institutionalization

of the OLDM System within the DoFI and DOF. This will also start the implementation of the KfW

FLEGT Project support to the OLDM Initiative. With the need to complete contracts and agreements,

set up administration and financial systems and accounts and hire and train staff to manage the project

and undertake the technical assistance, it is anticipated that access to funding for operations will not

be available until after Lao New Year at the earliest, with initial procurement not being complete until

Phase 5. This leaves a gap in current support between November 2021 and Lao New Year during the

most important field inspection period. While there will be some limited support available within the

ADB BCC and ICBF Projects for the early Dry Season OLDM Cycle, this will not provide support for a

Vientiane-based OLDM Cycle or enable full participation from the Central OLDM Team. There is

currently no support or budget available for the late Dry Season OLDM cycle between January and

April 2022 either at provincial or central level. Therefore arrangements need to be made to acquire

bridge funding to continue the progress of the OLDM Initiative into institutionalization and complete

the establishment of the existing Provincial and Central OLDM Teams credentials within the training

roster.

1


Figure 47: OLDM Phasing, Supporting Projects and OLDM Training and Implementation Cycles


5.2 Detailed OLDM Initiative Progress and Phase 3 and 4 Recommendations

5.2.1 Conclusions: Overall Progress, Phases 1, 2 and 3

The Operational Logging and Degradation Initiative has successfully completed Phase 1 (Initial Training and

Pilot) in May 2019 and Phase 2 (Full Piloting) in October 2020. The work is currently more than halfway

through Phase 3. The following progress has been achieved during the first 3 years:

• A complete framework and overall methodology has been established along with monitoring

applications for different purposes including law enforcement, REDD+, NPA Management, Timber

Legality Assurance Systems (TLAS), forest patrol, infrastructure development and Forest and Land

Use Planning (FLUP);

• The methodology has been demonstrated to be able to identify individual logged trees

successfully and Illegal loggers have been arrested and prosecuted and the cut logs/planks seized

for eventual registration and eventual auction;

• A set of manuals and Lao- and English-language videos have been produced to enable staff to

direct their own learning outside of training sessions and a training roster and ad-hoc core OLDM

RS/GIS Unit have been established at the Department of Forest Inspection (DoFI) including

participation from the Department of Protected Areas Management (DPAM) of DOF, and staff have

been identified in six participating provinces in the North, Central and South of Lao PDR (Bokeo,

Luang Namtha, Khammouane, Champassak, Attapeu and Xekong) who could begin to form ad hoc

OLDM RS/GIS Units in those provinces;

• Ad hoc joint Central and Provincial OLDM Teams have been formed from staff from the central

core ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS Unit, the Provincial Offices of Forest Inspection (POFI), and the Units of

the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices (PAFO) including National Protected Areas (NPA);

joint OLDM Field Teams include these staff and District Forest Inspection Unit (DFIU) and NPA staff

along with Village Committee members, soldiers, militia and Village Forest Patrollers;

• Thousands of locations of wildlife trapping and hunting and logging have been documented in the

field by Village Forest Patrollers working with the ADB BCC Project using the ODK Collect mobile

data collection app developed as part of OLDM.

• An online interactive Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring Tool has been developed,

tested and deployed for initial pilot assessment to support the ADB BCC, GIZ Hin Nam No NPA and

KfW ICBF FLUP assessment and monitoring work and has been opened to the wider sector for

testing and comment;

• On 1 September 2020, the Directors-General of DoFI and DOF agreed that the OLDM System was

an important and useful system that can provide a technical solution to a range of monitoring

needs for forest and land management within Lao PDR and supported its eventual incorporation

within the regular monitoring processes of the GOL forestry agencies;

• Phase 3 is past the halfway point with two of the three OLDM Cycles (early and dry season 2020-

2021) completed. Progress has continued particularly in terms of:

- OLDM Team members taking over the running of the OLDM Cycles including identification

of field survey areas for inspection during the training and in the field;

- During the early Dry Season OLDM Cycle, the OLDM Teams undertook field inspection

without the International or National Advisors, while the National Advisor has taken

more of a lead in the OLDM Cycle Trainings;

- The FLUP Monitoring Tool has been received positively both within the OLDM Team and

with the FLUP agencies in the Provinces and short trainings have been piloted in each of

1

2

3

5

4

4

2

3

1

3

4

2


the active OLDM provinces – the OLDM Initiative is working with the Wildlife Conservation

Society (WCS) to support their monitoring of the Village Biodiversity Conservation

Contracts (VBCC) within the ICBF Project areas;

- The OLDM System continues to successfully direct the Teams to degradation and logging

areas where they collect the data and archive it after the missions are completed and their

confidence in the system and skills are growing;

- During the late Dry Season Cycle, an Army Officer joined the Provincial training and field

survey work in Bokeo Province and expressed interest in joining the next full OLDM Cycle.

• However the ad hoc nature of the OLDM Initiative is starting to cause problems in terms of

finance, administration, personnel, and logistics.

- The three supporting projects have less budget and flexibility to enable provincial OLDM

Team members to participate in the training and field work;

- Project Administration remains difficult with the three separate projects having different

schedules, contracts, procedures, reporting needs, rules and objectives;

- DoFI personnel are often unavailable when needed for training or fieldwork, especially

the more advanced staff whose skills are now becoming in demand for GOL inspection and

interdiction activities;

- Many OLDM Team members are “volunteers” who are not yet GOL staff – the

DoFI/POFI/DFIU staff with this status do not have the authority for law enforcement

activities and need to be regularized.

- OLDM Central Teams transport arrangements or permissions have not enabled the OLDM

Teams to get deep into the forest to where the survey work has been planned and this has

limited the data collected and experience gained;

- OLDM Teams were prevented access to active logging locations despite having

authorization from the Province and District to inspect, while a second mission was denied

access at Provincial level.

The ADB BCC and KfW ICBF Projects both will end their operation at the end of 2021, while GIZ ProFEB is

currently funding OLDM and is expected to follow up with an additional contract that contributes funding

for the work through the end of Phase 3. At that point, it is expected that KfW will tender for long-term

support for OLDM under the agreed upon funding allocated by the German Government via KfW for the

Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Project. Given that the usual processes required

to start up a new project will take some time, it is expected that the funding from KfW for operation of the

OLDM Initiative will become available in Q2 2022, with initial procurement of the vehicles and equipment

likely being complete in Q4 2022. While continuing at the rapid pace achieved so far is desired to maximize

efficiency and capacity-building, the COVID-19 lockdown and prevention measures, continued delays in

administration of contracts and difficulties in adjusting projects to accommodate OLDM will likely result

in slower progress in the coming year, especially as projects begin to wind down. OLDM has been designed

as an agile system that can adjust to staff capacity/experience, different applications and modalities and

regular changes in schedule and personnel. Therefore the challenge for the coming period prior to the start

of long-term funding will be to continue progress during a period with limited support.

5.2.2 Recommendations: Phase 3 Objectives and Support

Phase 3 is the “Expanded Piloting” phase where the methodology is refined, staff are trained to a

sufficient level to establish ad hoc Provincial OLDM Units and the ad hoc Central OLDM Units take over

leadership during OLDM Cycles. This is in order to be ready for Phase 4, the initial institutionalization of the

OLDM system within DoFI and DOF and their provincial and district counterpart agencies. Phase 3 will last

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for 12 months as the OLDM Initiative moves towards a permanent annual cycle for monitoring, going from

early October 2020 to early October 2021. A sub-objective is the improvement and pilot testing of the

FLUP Monitoring Tool and providing support for its use at Provincial level. Another is the preparation of

outline papers supporting DoFI and DOF management to address the key long-term issues of Human

Resources Development and Management (HRD/HRM) and Cooperation with the Military.

The conclusions listed a number of key outputs from the first two and a half phases, as well as some

problems that have started to crop up as the OLDM piloting winds up and moves towards implementation.

These lead to the following recommendations:

• The development of the ad hoc Provincial OLDM Teams was not originally anticipated but happened

once it was realized that there was more capacity available there – this “pushes” more of the work

down to the Province but provides them more knowledge, information and input so is seen as a

positive by them while enabling the Central OLDM Team to reduce the huge areas they would

otherwise have to analyze and instead maintain their role as a support agency for the Provincial

OLDM Teams;

• The close relationships established between the Central and Provincial OLDM Teams are

important and fundamental to the OLDM System; eventually, 1-2 Central OLDM Team members

should be assigned to each Province to provide direct and continuous support and liaison and

enable the information and data flows between them.

• Working with the Military has been a positive experience in some provinces, while not yet being

possible in others. Experience has demonstrated that it is most appropriate for cooperation with

the Military to begin at Provincial level where a relationship already exists between they and the

Provincial OLDM Team members. Efforts should continue to try to establish contact and

relationships between PAFO/POFI and the local Military so that they continue to cooperate with

OLDM Teams in field inspection and interdiction operations and eventually agree to send officers

to join in OLDM Cycles.

• The Component 5 mobile data collection tools have been proven to work successfully including

being appropriate for village forest patrollers. While all those participating in OLDM Cycles learn

to load and use these tools on their mobile devices, there needs to be more effort spent towards

increasing their value and expanding their use to more locally-based people including Provincial

non-OLDM Team staff, District staff, village forest committees, village forest patrollers, village

militia, and local military patrol. This requires improving the ODK Collect forms by focusing them

on logging or FLUP only to reduce overhead and data entry steps, creating a “Training of Trainers”

module with manuals and videos, providing training and then follow-up to review the data

collected, and seeing whether there is value in better integrating it with the SMART system used

by the international conservation NGOs.

• The agile development and continuous improvement philosophy incorporated into the OLDM

System has been a positive aspect that promotes OLDM Team members to think “outside the box”

and develop their own ideas and new tools – research on new technologies including the use of

drones and the “Radar for Detecting Degradation” (RADD) Tool developed by the JRC needs to

continue so that they can be assessed and incorporated into the OLDM System if effective prior to

institutionalization.

• The different OLDM System applications such as REDD+, TLAS and FLUP have all been developed

based on the specific monitoring needs of cooperating projects. This ensures that the OLDM

System is relevant to the actual needs of real world projects and identifies important new

applications that need to be created and piloted such as the FLUP Monitoring Tool. Once these have

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been tested and demonstrated to be useful, they need to be further refined and “operationalized”

with the training, manuals, videos and documented field data.

• The pilot FLUP Monitoring Tool was put online as the last activity of Phase 2, then was used

extensively within the OLDM Cycle both for support for FLUP and as a means to easily access the

high-resolution Delta-rNBR logging data. In the first part of Phase 3, support for the agencies

working with FLUP was incorporated into the fieldwork including a short OLDM Cycle focused only

on those aspects and training for the agencies concerned to use the field data collection tools and

understand the relationship between the data and the situation on the ground. This has proven

successful, as the provincial agencies were happy to have up-to-date and accurate data to enable

monitoring of land use and the OLDM Teams were able to use the MangoMap online web-mapping

software extensively and understand its potential for future application. Intensive work supporting

the Village Biodiversity Conservation Contracts (VBCC) with the ICBF Project will further develop

the methodology and tools for supporting Forest and Land Use Planning, and discussions with the

F-REDD Project and TWG-NFMS will determine how to best utilize the Tool in the future.

• The acceptance of the OLDM System as a valid and relevant monitoring system for the Departments

of Forest Inspection (DoFI) and Forestry (DOF) was important since it provided sanction for the

work at policy and management level. The OLDM Initiative needs to continue to provide

documentation and ideas to senior DoFI/DOF management to gain their support for critical issues

that cannot be addressed in day-to-day work. In particular, this is necessary for gaining

cooperation from other ministries, projects and the Military in order for OLDM Teams to access

areas under their control and for the long-term development and management of personnel to

work in the OLDM Teams at both central and provincial levels. The means for the OLDM Initiative

to support DoFI/DOF will be preparation of policy and subject-specific papers outlining the issues

that need to be considered and providing recommendations for addressing them in the short- and

long-term. The first two papers will be a Concept Paper on Cooperation with the Military and a

Sector Paper on Human Resources Development and Human Resources Management (HRD/HRM)

for the DoFI.

The likely slowing of progress over the interim period prior to the start of the KfW assistance was noted in

the conclusions. In the meantime, and to maintain momentum into the initial institutionalization phase, it

is recommended to recruit additional provincially-based projects to use OLDM for their monitoring

requirements so that OLDM participants have actual field-based activities to learn from and new ad hoc

OLDM Units can be established in additional provinces. Currently there is limited funding from the ADB

BCC and ICBF Projects for the early Dry Season OLDM Cycle of November-December 2021 and none for the

ad hoc Central OLDM Team. For the most important OLDM Cycle of the late Dry Season (January through

April 2022), there is currently no funding or projects available so this critical activity would have to be

skipped. Therefore it is vital that additional funds are identified that could be mobilized for these tasks

prior to the end of Phase 3.

While funding and arranging OLDM Cycles will be more challenging, the COVID-19 lockdown and likely

slowdown provides an overdue opportunity to complete the GCP Field Survey Forms and update the

training roster, award certificates, consolidate and update much of the documentation, reorganize the

OLDM data archives and undertake research to investigate the latest developments in forest monitoring

and field survey.

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5.2.3 Conclusions: OLDM Human Resources Development/Management, Capacity Building

and Training

The single biggest issue preventing the participating staff from advancing up the OLDM Training Roster has

been their inability to complete the GCP Field Survey Forms successfully. Experience has shown that staff

need to complete at least 4 and more commonly 5-6 OLDM Cycles before they have the capacity to

confidently complete the GCP Field Survey Forms – this takes two years of participation for new staff. Often

the Trainees run into problems with one or the other technologies and this blocks their progress until they

can get individual instruction and support. Building up an internal management system within the ad hoc

OLDM RS/GIS Units will be needed to help resolve these problems so that staff are better monitored by

their direct report in terms of their position on the OLDM Training Roster by the Team Leaders and Trainers.

This will further streamline the administration and documentation process and put in place a better

framework to handle the ongoing expansion of the OLDM staff. Currently the OLDM Teams are overly

dependent on the direction and leadership from the International Advisor. This has started to change in

Phase 3, where the OLDM Teams are entirely managing and implementing the OLDM Cycles. It had been

planned for the most advanced DoFI staff to begin training the staff during OLDM Cycles, however they

were not available and didn’t participate.

One way that the OLDM Initiative supports the newer staff is to provide materials to enable the staff to

learn on their own. These materials include click-by-click manuals that show every step that is required to

create, process and style the data and how it can be used to interpret the actual situation at the location

where there is an indication of degradation. Step-by-step manuals have been created for all components

except for Component 4 since using MangoMap as originally planned didn’t happen in Phase 2. Instead, it

is expected that Component 4 has been “revived” in Phase 3 since instead MangoMap has been introduced

to the OLDM Teams via the FLUP Monitoring Tool. In addition, there are separate manuals for different

steps within the Components that have been added since the original methodology was developed in Phase

1. As expected, the web-based mapping system has been popular among the Team for its ease of use and

for the ability to provide the data and analysis tools to non-GIS users including managers and administrators.

During Phase 1, Aruna created a video-based tool to teach OLDM Teams about how to address some of the

issues that had been encountered in implementation of Component 2. This video-based approach proved

popular among many staff, who then requested Aruna to create Lao-language videos for the different

components – this activity occurred in Phase 2 and as a result there are now 8 Lao-language and 2 English-

language videos outlining in detail different aspects of all of the existing OLDM Components (1, 2, 3 and

5) along with some that address specific areas of weakness of the Trainees. These comprehensive training

materials enable existing and new OLDM participants to either raise their levels of knowledge and skills

through self-learning on their own time or to provide the information to help bring new people into the

program or to allow people to eventually manage their own monitoring of their own projects using the

OLDM approach. As the OLDM System development included 3 OLDM Cycles, there was less time available

to update the manuals as planned. They are all now in need of a revision that updates the many changes

to the OLDM System methodology and additional improvements that have been added as well as to show

the steps using the most recent software versions. The National Advisor to the OLDM Initiative has

increased his role in the training and production of videos. A complete list of the training materials

produced during the first three phases is in Annex III.

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5.2.4 Recommendations: OLDM Human Resources Development/Management, Capacity

Building and Training

The incorporation of MangoMap into the OLDM System training and implementation will also facilitate

this transition as it allows for remote partnership work with the sharing of the most recent data and for

central and provincial OLDM Teams to outline on online maps the locations of degradation and potential

logging, and to plan missions without central level staff having to travel to the provinces. Maintaining the

continued participation of the central OLDM Teams in provincial work will still be needed however, since

the new staff within the central OLDM Teams require field survey work to graduate from the program and

Central staff would be assigned to provinces.

With the constant changes in personnel and events in the field, implementation should continue to be

flexible in order to adjust for the constant changes in circumstance that will otherwise cause delays and

missing cycles. The current Human Resources Development (HRD) objective for Phase 3 is to produce 30

OLDM Staff at Technician Level or higher including 2 Trainers with 4 Provinces4 “graduated” from the

OLDM Initiative and able to manage their own monitoring with the OLDM System.

With respect to the GCP Field Survey Forms, even once the technical ability is acquired, staff often find

difficulty to get the time required to do the work given their other responsibilities. In an attempt to address

this important aspect, Aruna will experiment with incentive-based approaches for receiving correct and

complete GCP Field Survey Forms in Phase 3. The resolution of the GCP Field Survey Forms will assist the

evolution of the internal management system, since the hierarchy needs to be established and the terms

of reference for the positions within the OLDM Teams needs to be developed. This should be an activity

during the institutionalization phase of Phase 4. Placing a focus on System Administration in the wet

season of 2021 to begin to address some of these issues and to refresh OLDM Team System Administrators

and Assistant System Administrators on their roles would be useful in preparation for institutionalization

and to “catch up” on data archiving, documentation and to brainstorm internal management issues. This

should include an internal workshop to address these issues and consolidate the lessons learned and

direction for moving into institutionalization that includes DoFI and DOF leadership. The training

activities need to be taken over progressively by the OLDM Teams and led by the better and more senior

staff who have the expertise and authority to eventually take over and rise up the Training Roster.

The comprehensive manuals and video training materials enable existing and new OLDM participants to

either raise their levels of knowledge and skills through self-learning on their own time or to provide the

information to help bring new people into the program or to allow people to eventually manage their

own monitoring of their own projects using the OLDM approach. As the OLDM System development

included 3 OLDM Cycles, there was less time available to update the manuals as planned. They are all now

in need of a revision that updates the many changes to the OLDM System methodology and additional

improvements that have been added as well as to show the steps using the most recent software versions.

This is very time-consuming work so finding an alternative way to have the manuals updated would be

worth investigating since there are so many other activities that require attention while the program

continues to move forward.

4 Khammouane had their entire team from Phases 1 and 2 replaced by 4 new staff, while Champassak has only had limited participation in the OLDM System work.

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5.3 OLDM Implementation Issues, Phases 2 and 3

5.3.1 Conclusion: Overall Costs and Benefits, Phases 1 through 3

Despite not having dedicated and planned funding or an official project status, investment on the OLDM

Initiative has been considerable, averaging approximately US$ 36,000/month inclusive of consultants,

government contributions of staff time, training and field costs over the first two phases covering

approximately 2.5 years – a total over US$ 1,000,000.

An important aspect of the OLDM System is its cost-effectiveness and overall costs to the GOL and donors

versus the potential benefits from the implementation of the OLDM System. The first two OLDM Phases

have demonstrated that the OLDM methodology is technically effective and logistically practical within

the context of the GOL administration and operations, although improvements are needed to become fully

operational in respect to law enforcement. Changes as small as individual trees can be detected and

identified then surveyed in the field within as short a time as 2 weeks – this is usually fast enough to

interdict the logging operations and seize the logs before they are processed and taken away. It will

therefore be possible and important to record and quantify the amount of logs and equipment seized and

number of people arrested and prosecuted so that the tangible benefits from the implementation of the

OLDM System can be calculated.

5.3.2 Recommendations: Overall OLDM Costs and Benefits, Phase 4 and Beyond

It is expected that as OLDM moves towards institutionalization, these costs will rise to over US$

50,000/month with the increased costs reflecting an increase in field activities and an expansion of the

OLDM Core Team to include more staff from the Forest Inventory and Planning Division. The expansion of

OLDM staff both at Central and Provincial levels is expected to continue throughout the implementation

due to having to have regular intake of new staff and expected turnover of old staff. With the “graduation”

of Provinces, the OLDM System will move into “regularization” whereby the Province manages their own

work and runs their own OLDM Cycles with support from the Central ad hoc Core OLDM RS/GIS Team. This

will increase costs as well because the existing provinces will continue to monitor while new provinces

come on line.

Based on previous studies undertaken by Aruna of logging in Southern Lao PDR for SUFORD-SU, an

approximate “break even” point was able to be estimated; the costs for undertaking the full OLDM Cycle

including training in Vientiane, OLDM Advisor consulting costs, per diems, government salaries,

transportation and satellite imagery are approximately US$ 62,000 for a 4-week OLDM Cycle during this

training-intensive Phase of OLDM Piloting. In order for these costs to be justified in terms of the logs seized

during interdiction, this would equate to approximately 14 Ha of small-scale selective logging, 9 Ha of

village/district-level logging or 6 Ha of a commercial logging operation. These targets should be

achievable by the end of Phase 4 when the OLDM System is in the early stages of institutionalization. The

completion of the GCP Field Survey Forms so they are available as documentation for legal procedures and

for the OLDM Initiative to document and account for the benefits received by the GOL from the program is

important and needs to be more emphasized in Phase 3. With the current Training Roster progress, it is

expected that approximately 480 completed GCP Field Survey Forms with individual logging targets could

potentially be achieved, which in real value terms of approximately US$ 1,000/tree would be close to US$

500,000. This is an estimate only of potential value however, since currently OLDM hasn’t addressed the

follow-up issues relating to seizure, confiscation, registration and auction.

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5.3.3 Conclusion: Planet Explorer and Alternatives

• A cornerstone of the original system has been the availability of the Planet Explorer and

PlanetScope satellite imagery. This revolutionary system of a constellation of over 150 satellites

allows for complete capture of the surface of the earth every day, enabling Near Real-Time (NRT)

observation of change and comparison to a massive archive of previous imagery. Phases 1 and 2

demonstrated that the primary utility of the Planet Explorer was to provide additional confirmation

of the forest changes once the screening and filtering had taken place; however the experience has

already demonstrated the reliability of Delta-rNBR and its accuracy in determining whether change

occurred or not. Therefore we can conclude that this function, while beneficial for providing

understanding of the area and the history of land use at the location and areas nearby, is not critical

to the OLDM methodology. On the other hand, having the PlanetScope imagery with its higher

resolution of 3-4 meters per pixel provides several benefits for the OLDM methodology including:

• having the level of detail and spectral data to enable clearer views of the land cover, changes and

nearby associated changes by adjusting the imagery within QGIS and utilizing the Near-Infrared

band that cannot be seen in Planet Explorer;

• providing an up-to-date image with detail sufficient to guide OLDM staff in the field and assist them

to reach their locations efficiently and safely;

• providing the information to enable survey of other points of interest nearby the planned survey

locations and to adjust field survey on the fly when initial objectives are unachievable;

• providing an imagery base for improved interpretation and reporting of the OLDM work and

findings.

PlanetScope has drastically changed their pricing structure and sales models, and is no longer attractive

financially in terms of the current modality (Planet Explorer plus monthly downloads). The ADB BCC Project

procured this Planet system initially for 3 years so can continue to utilize it for no additional cost at the

original pricing through March 2022. However, the ICBF and ProFEB Project subscriptions have now lapsed,

and it is not possible or recommended to renew them at the new pricing. Instead, larger satellite image

sellers have emerged who offer the PlanetScope and competing satellite imaging systems such as SPOT6/7

(Airbus is the satellite image provider) and the new Chinese satellite image providers in the form of discrete

imagery. When examining the use of downloaded PlanetScope imagery during Phases 1 and 2, we can

observe that there were many inefficiencies since staff only use the data during OLDM Cycles so much of

the download quotas remained unused. At the same time, due to common changes in the field schedule

and location, sometimes the quota wasn’t sufficient to cover all areas where the OLDM Team wanted to

study and survey when needed. In December 2020 however, the Norwegian NICFI Program provided free

access to the Planet Explorer Basemaps System. This has replaced much of the functionality required as

described above, other than that of having access to up-to-date imagery (i.e., imagery within the last week).

This can be important in some instances, whereas the NICFI imagery is 6 weeks old at the earliest. As a

result, there will be a reduced need for purchasing commercial imagery.

5.3.4 Recommendation: Planet Explorer and Alternatives

The changes in the policy of Planet that have made it too expensive can be overcome since the piloting has

demonstrated the accuracy and utility of the Delta-rNBR data. However, as noted, there remains a need for

high resolution satellite imagery with full spectral bands including Near-Infrared for Components 3, 4 and

5. As there are existing resellers capable of providing this imagery including PlanetScope for a reasonable

cost equivalent to or lower than the special Planet pricing that the projects used in Phases 1 and 2, any

needed higher resolution imagery can be easily acquired.

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Fortunately, Norway’s International Climate and Forests Initiative Imagery Program (NICFI) came on stream

in late 2020. This provides free access to the Planet Explorer Basemaps System, enabling comparison of

before and after imagery from the Planet Monthly Basemaps. This was demonstrated to be sufficient for

implementing OLDM Cycles during the late Dry Season of 2021. There may still be cases where more up-to-

date imagery is required, in which case commercial providers may be accessed. Examination of the likely

imagery needs for field survey and the cost concludes that the OLDM System can continue to procure the

discrete imagery at costs similar to those available to the ADB BCC project and with a wider variety of

imagery to choose from. On the other hand, because of the need to contact the satellite imagery reseller

and arrange for the delivery of the imagery, this will cause a small delay within the OLDM process. Using

US-based satellite imagery resellers will enable overnight order and delivery to reduce these delays at

least until an alternative Asia-based provider is identified. With the free access to the Planet Explorer

Monthly Basemaps, the need for commercial imagery will be much reduced.

5.3.5 Conclusion: Field Transportation and Equipment

An important issue for the success of the OLDM Initiative is the ability to protect the most important and

high-quality forest in terms of biodiversity as well as carbon stocks and financial value. Doing so will require

the OLDM field teams to investigate deeper into the forest where access is more difficult and dangerous.

OLDM Teams need to eventually move to using motorcycles to gain access to the more difficult locations

and to have suitable high quality field equipment to allow them to stay overnight and hike in the forests

safely over several days and in unpredictable weather and conditions. The current situation with the use

of project vehicles has been unsatisfactory as the OLDM Teams cannot control where they go, so are left

with long hikes to get to the survey points, and further locations become untenable.

An additional issue with the existing equipment used by the OLDM Teams is that of official handover and

responsibility for maintenance and replacement – GOL staff don’t want to take responsibility for equipment

because they don’t want to be responsible for fixing or replacing it if it is damaged in the field or lost. When

the Project retains control over the equipment, there are numerous administrative issues and delays. In

order to resolve these issues, the OLDM Initiative will ultimately need to have access to and control over

their own suitable field equipment and transport such that they can access the deep forest with more

safety.

5.3.6 Recommendation: Field Transportation and Equipment

The transport issues need to be resolved with the project administration or a suitable alternative must be

found. Having 4x4 vehicles specifically procured for or rented for Central OLDM Teams would enable much

more field data of higher quality to be gathered.

The first two phases have provided good experience about what works in the field and that OLDM efforts

need to be extended deeper into the forest to achieve full success. However, since there is as yet no

dedicated long-term budgetary support for OLDM, there is no coordination in procurement or sufficient

budget available to acquire what’s needed. The OLDM Initiative activities have enabled piloting of the use

of different mobile smartphone and tablet devices, desktop software, Android Apps and an understanding

of the various other field equipment that is needed to work deep in the forest. Until such time that

dedicated and sufficient funding is available to OLDM so that full sets of equipment can be obtained, the

OLDM Teams will continue to utilize whatever has been already purchased by the projects and evaluate

them and new technologies so that the latest technological advances and equipment are available for them

to use. Similarly, the funding will enable purchase of higher quality camping and field equipment for

improved safety, efficiency and comfort of the Teams working in the forest.

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5.3.7 Conclusion: OLDM Teams are Ready to Use MangoMap for Component 4 As Planned

As discussed in the OLDM System Final Report for Phase 1, the plan for Component 4 was for the Central

OLDM Team to undertake the steps of Components 1, 2 and 3 to determine where there were logging

events, then put the data onto the MangoMap web-based online GIS mapping system, then work remotely

with the Provincial OLDM Teams who would then undertake the field inspection and pass the data back to

the Central OLDM Team. However, this didn’t happen during Phases 1 and 2 as instead the Central and

Provincial OLDM Teams worked closely together both during training in Vientiane and in the field survey

in the provinces. This provided the benefit of drawing the Central and Provincial OLDM Teams much closer

and building relationships between them that will work towards the future. MangoMap offers

considerable flexibility and enables expansion of the scope of the sharing of the data and results with

non-OLDM Team members. With the coming of the “Web 3.0” when computing power in mobile devices is

similar to that of laptops and connectivity in the forest becomes possible with satellite internet, it offers

even more potential for live monitoring in terms of connecting the field inspection to the internet and

immediate upload and download of data in the relatively near future.

5.3.8 Recommendation: OLDM System and MangoMap for Phases 3 and 4

Phase 3 is beginning the process of integrating MangoMap into the OLDM System and building the

capacity of the OLDM Teams to create and manage the online maps. The early emphasis during this initial

part of Phase 3 on the piloting of the FLUP Monitoring Tool has reintroduced the OLDM Teams to the online

software and it has sparked significant interest in wider use for its original purpose in addition to being

valued for the ability to communicate information about historical and recent land cover change in the

analysis areas. The early and late Dry Season OLDM Cycles in 2020-2021 included short OLDM Cycles

designed to focus on the FLUP Monitoring Tool and introduce it to both the Provincial OLDM Team and the

Provincial agencies and managers that work with Forest and Land Use Planning within the OLDM projects.

This has sparked additional interest in the FLUP Monitoring Tool outside of the OLDM Initiative, which was

the intended purpose for the introduction of the Tool.

The piloting of the FLUP Monitoring Tool and introduction to the Provinces was successful initially, but

needs to be strengthened with manuals and improvements to the process. Once finalized, the process of

introducing and using the FLUP Monitoring Tool will become a standardized part of the OLDM System

and included within the OLDM Cycle field inspection activities. As noted, cooperation with the F-REDD

Project should further improve the system and enable determination of how to use each system as projects

move forward. The FLUP information for the new cropping year becomes interesting in mid-January when

the earliest fields are cut – for new provinces, an introductory training could be included within the early

Dry Season, but FLUP support should focus on the late Dry Season since this is when the new encroachment

is happening and can be acted upon. The objective of the FLUP Monitoring Tool is to provide information

on changes that represent upland agriculture or other large-scale change regularly between January and

May and enable the agencies involved to have access to and knowledge of how to use the data for

monitoring and action. The uploading of data, creation of maps and other administration of the MangoMap

software and its use in Component 4 will be one of the focuses of the transition period before the start of

long-term support in Phase 4. It will be included within the planned System Administration/Assistant

System Administration training and OLDM Internal Retreat planned during the remaining part of Phase 3.

Piloting of remote partnership with the provinces using MangoMap will be tested in the early Dry Season

of 2021-2022 and late Dry Season of 2022, presuming that the budgetary issues are resolved.

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5.4 Methodology Improvements, Phases 2 and 3

5.4.1 Conclusion: Support for Completion of the Revised Standard GCP Field Survey Forms

Improvements to the OLDM System methodology during Phase 2 included a revision of the standard GCP

Field Survey Form template including removing several of the steps and data requirements while adding

some others. For example, the “FIRMS” (Fire Information for Resource Management System) data from

NASA that is used primarily for monitoring of field burning and wildfires was found to be ineffective because

of the coarse resolution (1 km data based on the MODIS satellite) and because it only starts recording

change after burning starts so it was taken out of the GCP Field Survey Form. In addition, burning is only

relevant for FLUP activities rather than logging. On the other hand, the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Data

Box is important since it provides critical information regarding the risk of survey. However, since OLDM

has not yet obtained the GIS data for the UXO, trainees were supposed to leave it blank and move on to the

next part. Unfortunately, this was instead where many trainees then stopped, as once they reached an

input that they could not respond to, they were confused about what to do. Informal meetings and

discussions as well as specific training continued about the difficulties and issues that have stalled

completion of the GCP Field Survey Forms since very few participants have succeeded despite several having

sufficient training and experience to do so. In some cases, the tendency to stop when only one or two steps

were incomplete was the problem, whereas others are still not at the level to undertake all of the steps yet

since they’ve only completed 4 or less OLDM Cycles.

Additional improvements were the use of the 3-Dimensional View analysis to assist in determining the

likelihood of the degradation area being logging and whether it is accessible and the increased use of QGIS

Plug-ins providing access to a range of Very High Resolution (VHR) data to assist in the analysis. Along with

the newly revised forms and incentive (which will be funded by Aruna), the National Advisor to OLDM

produced a series of videos to support the OLDM Team to complete the new GCP Field Survey Forms and

provide lessons on the different issues that they were having difficulty with. Three videos in the Lao

language were produced focusing on downloading and processing the field survey data, how to fix common

problems that the Team was experiencing with the field data so that the data could be properly geo-located

and how to go through the newly revised GCP Field Survey Form and fill in all of the different sections.

5.4.2 Recommendation: Completion of GCP Field Survey Forms

Without the GCP Field Survey Forms, it is not possible for the methodology to establish the accuracy of

the System and understand where most of the errors are occurring so that we can find ways to eliminate

them. Notwithstanding the technical issues described above, the most common explanation offered from

staff who could complete the forms was that participants didn’t have sufficient time to do the work since

they have their other duties as well. On the other hand, they value participation in OLDM Cycle Trainings

and field missions at least partially because they receive per diems for that work. As noted earlier, Aruna

will likely experiment with financial incentives for completed forms and internet-based training based on

these discussions in the hope that this will finally provide the OLDM Team members with the support and

a better reason to complete the work.

5.4.3 Conclusions: Research and Development of Delta-rNBR Data

Additional work to improve the OLDM methodology focused on improving the understanding of the Delta-

rNBR data that had grown increasingly important through the implementation of OLDM. In December 2020,

an additional learning opportunity arose due to the National University of Lao PDR (NUOL) hosting a

seminar with Andreas Langner and experts from Silvacarbon who were also working with NUOL and the

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F-REDD Project to bring Delta-rNBR and other new technologies to Lao PDR that could be potentially useful

for monitoring and management of forest areas. The two OLDM staff who had the highest levels of expertise

along with the National and International Advisors to OLDM attended this seminar in order to gain the latest

information and techniques that had been developed to improve the application of Delta-rNBR and to

learn about the new tools that had been developed.

Finally, it had become clear that the biggest single technical problem that OLDM System was facing was

how to eliminate the very large number of potential degradation locations so that work focused only on

the most likely logging sites. These “false positives” or “artifacts” are numerous and come from different

causes, such as natural treefall, deciduous trees dropping their leaves annually, bamboo, banana and other

forest plants that flower or otherwise change during the year and changes from non-related issues such as

flooding or changes in reservoir levels, water flows in small streams taking out vegetation along the banks

and wildfires, accidental fires and frost damage. One way to eliminate many of these artifacts at once is to

focus only on areas where the best forest remains, since it is very unusual for a valuable commercial tree

to remain in place after logging and other degradation has occurred. The best analog for whether the forest

retains these trees is to determine if there has been upland agriculture at any point on that land. This

dataset was therefore produced using the annual Delta-rNBR “change” data from the Landsat satellite

imagery. By compiling the previous 20 years of upland annual change, the locations that were not affected

by new upland fields were able to be separated from those which had.

Review of this data, which followed the thresholds recommended by the EC-JRC research and analysis,

demonstrated that the use of the standard threshold resulted in an over-estimation of the change areas to

the detriment of the undisturbed area that was forest. Therefore a higher threshold was run to produce

another dataset with a larger undisturbed forest area. Comparison of this data to satellite imagery showed

it was a better predictor of agriculture but over-estimated the area that was undisturbed forest. It seems

likely that the best estimate for the threshold is between these two values (0.05 and 0.075 according to the

Delta-rNBR raw data). Until additional research can determine this more precisely, the two 20-year datasets

are sufficient to be used as basic filters to eliminate areas from consideration for logging. The rule is “if the

area around the location of change is undisturbed for the last 20 years, then it must be examined carefully

to determine if it is a logging event.” If, on the other hand, it is not, then the location of change can be

immediately discarded as irrelevant and no time is wasted on analysis work for it. For the purposes of

OLDM, we refer to this dataset as the “Intact Forest” dataset. As noted, there are two 20-year “Intact

Forest” datasets, one with a higher and one with a lower threshold. These have been provided to the OLDM

Team in order that they can gain experience in using the data and come up with their ideas on which

threshold is more appropriate for the real situation in Lao PDR, and whether we need to adjust it to improve

the accuracy of the Intact Forest dataset. After testing use of the data within OLDM Cycles it was

determined to be accurate, so the data was extended further back into the past until it included 32-years

of annual change. This is the current “Intact Forest” dataset used for OLDM Component 2 to screen

locations for logging detection and appears most useful with the lower threshold of 0.05.

5.4.4 Recommendations: Creation of Additional/Improved Delta-rNBR Datasets

While this functions as a good indicator, additional processing could improve the dataset accuracy and

quality at a future time, or it could potentially be replaced by more accurate mapping that becomes

available through the Forest Inventory and Planning Division (FIPD) or international mapping efforts. While

this would be beneficial, it would be on the lower end of the priority list with the many other ongoing issues

requiring resolution. Instead, work will continue on creating annual datasets every year to add to the

Cumulative Change Images and update the “Intact Forest” Image.

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5.4.5 Conclusion: OLDM FLUP Monitoring Tool

Historically there has been a dearth of or insufficient actual monitoring of the completed FLUP plans.

There have been a number of important successes within the FLUP sector, in terms of standardizing and

increasing the participation and involvement of the villagers in their own land management and

improvement5. But monitoring of FLUP work has been a disappointment since it often requires the kind of

data or sophisticated analysis and techniques of the sort created within OLDM, and this expertise and

understanding cannot be easily found within the FLUP sector. Monitoring will also raise difficult issues about

the success of the planning work, or lack thereof, that disincentivizes those responsible and makes it even

less likely that they will spend funds to procure the satellite imagery or other data, software or consulting

services to do so. The OLDM FLUP Monitoring Tool was created for this reason. Since it is based on a web-

based mapping system (MangoMap) that is similar to others such as Google Maps, it is easy and intuitive

for non-mapping experts to use and there is no significant learning curve. It provides all of the many

different people with their different perspectives, knowledge and skills access to the data, thereby enabling

them to gain understanding of the situation in the villages in terms of natural resources and the

environment. It provides tools such as “Sketch” to allow users to interact and mark up the maps and share

them with collaborators working in the locations. And most importantly, it allows OLDM staff to take the

data and tools that we create and give them to the others in the FLUP sector so that they can do their

FLUP monitoring work without need of significant support or interaction with the OLDM Teams. This helps

the OLDM System reduce upland encroachment and pressure on the forest while freeing them up to pursue

those aspects without losing precious time and resources. During the late Dry Season of 2021, the FLUP

Monitoring Tool was regularly updated every two weeks to show planners and other interested parties

where new fields were being cut and burned in comparison to FLUP plans of the BCC and ICBF Projects. This

data was the high-resolution Sentinel-2 data, so provided an easy-to-access and -use system for OLDM

Teams to review changes that could potentially be logging as well. This has increased their interest in

using MangoMap and in setting up and publishing their own maps.

5.4.6 Recommendations: OLDM FLUP Monitoring Tool

The OLDM Initiative is working with WCS to support their monitoring of the ICBF VBCC contracts, so is

working with them to improve the system for their use. One objective is to provide an early warning

system that would enable action prior to the burning of the cut vegetation after it dries out so as to reduce

the impact of the encroachment and prevent further long-term damage to the forest in those locations.

As the FLUP Monitoring Tool was developed organically during an unexpected event, work remains to refine

the data and improve the methodology and administrative process to smoothly support the FLUP work. It

also transpired that the F-REDD+ Project at the DOF supported through Japanese Aid was developing a

similar tool which they call the Provincial Degradation Monitoring System (PDMS). This was similarly aimed

at providing an easy-to-use means for provincial staff to quickly and easily identify encroachment and act

upon it. Having two parallel systems under development may not have been the most efficient means

possible but on the other hand it provides value in enabling the “best of both worlds” to be incorporated

into a unified and integrated system. The PDMS is being piloted in Luang Prabang, Oudomxay and Houaphan

provinces, whereas the FLUP Monitoring Tool is being piloted in the six OLDM Provinces. Much remains to

be done to refine the two systems, since both are in the piloting phase and the OLDM FLUP Monitoring

Tool was only developed in the last year. Cooperation with the F-REDD Project should be maintained to

5 Refer also to Annex III for a detailed discussion about the background and rationale for OLDM System support for Forest and Land Use Planning issues.

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refine and integrate the two systems along with participation in the Technical Working Group for National

Forest Monitoring System (TWG-NFMS).

5.5 OLDM Initiative Long-Term Outlook and Recommendations

5.5.1 Conclusion: OLDM Initiative Situational Summary for Phase 4

The OLDM Initiative has in the first 2 and half phases over 3 years achieved a considerable amount of

progress despite its ad hoc nature and the difficulties of COVID-19. This has primarily been due to the

great support for the work from ADB BCC, GIZ ProFLEGT/ProFEB and KfW ICBF in terms of:

• Funding the equipment, consulting, training and staff per diems, vehicles, rented transport and

accommodation, Planet satellite image and MangoMap subscriptions and other associated costs;

• Liaison with and administrative and logistical support for participation of project partners and

staff in the project provinces;

• Project and higher-level GOL management liaison, policy support and capacity building;

• Administrative and logistical support for arrangement of training and fieldwork for ad hoc OLDM

RS/GIS Unit;

• Liaison and management support between the OLDM Initiative and the GIZ ProFLEGT/ProFEB

Project.

As noted, despite not having a specific and formal project as yet, the OLDM Initiative has actually been a

substantial investment during the first two phases of approximately USD $1,000,000 if all inputs including

government staff equivalent time cost is included, around USD $ 36,500/month. These costs will likely rise

as the OLDM Initiative is established in additional provinces with full annual OLDM Cycles and the program

equipment is progressively procured and upgraded. A rough estimate of the costs for Phase 4 assuming

full funding is available are on the order of USD $ 50,000/month.

It must be noted that another important factor in the rapid development of the OLDM System has been

the continuous involvement of the lead organization, Aruna. Aruna were able to “sell” the system to the

different projects to enable it to grow into a multi-purpose monitoring system, and continues to promote

it to other forestry projects, conservation agencies, donors, government partners, and the private eco-

tourism sector. The different supporting projects have all had periods of lag between successive contracts

supporting monitoring efforts via OLDM, so any gaps have been filled through the lead consultant working

without compensation as a contribution to the OLDM Initiative. Aruna also covers funding shortfalls to

enable participation of staff who otherwise weren’t able to be funded and other field costs that inevitably

are needed due to the administrative systems governing fieldwork. Aruna has also contributed the use of

MangoMap for some of the projects who no longer have funding available for the annual subscription.

5.5.2 Recommendations: Critical Recommendations for Phase 4

The most critical issue facing the OLDM Initiative in the coming year is the transition between the ad hoc

funding via the three projects to the long-term support provided directly via KFW in Phase 4. As discussed

in the first section of this chapter, there are diminishing funds available for costs for the implementation

of the OLDM Cycles. This puts the primary training and field inspection activities for the early and late Dry

Season OLDM Cycles in jeopardy of not being able to happen. This would disrupt the training of the staff

and prevent a number of staff from completing their requirements to climb onto or up the training roster.

It would also prevent monitoring of the NPAs, TLAS and other ongoing activities for the OLDM Initiative.

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Funding to bridge the transition period between the end of the ProFEB III Project and the start of access to

funding for operations and consulting services from KfW is urgently required to maintain OLDM Initiative

momentum and undertake monitoring activities over the coming dry season. This includes funding for the

Central ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS Team to undertake and participate in the training in Vientiane, the training

venue costs, the costs for some Provincial staff to participate from the projects where there is no longer

sufficient support for them to attend, costs for transport, and per diems and accommodation for Central

and some Provincial OLDM staff to participate. Consulting costs will also be required from January 2022

onwards.

It was also noted that having provincially-based forestry projects with monitoring requirements to work

with was an important aspect of the OLDM Initiative. Having on-the-ground monitoring problems to

resolve ensures continued development of the OLDM System and staff capacity while bringing new staff

into the program. One way to work with forestry projects while maintaining sector-wide coordination and

cooperation is to participate in the Technical Working Group for the National Forest Monitoring System

(TWG-NFMS) and other possible TWGs that are more technically focused. Another is to promote the OLDM

System as a solution for monitoring requirements for new and existing forestry projects. Having support

for OLDM would make this attractive since most of the indirect costs for participation would eventually be

taken over by the OLDM Initiative. With institutionalization, this will further standardize and expand the

use of the technologies and pool of staff who understand how to use them, along with adding new people

to the training roster. Currently there are no provincially-based projects scheduled from the start of 2022

who have agreed to utilize the OLDM System for their monitoring needs while there are several new or

extended forestry projects coming on stream in 2021 and 2022.

As the Lead Organization for OLDM and the only one that is committed to working on the Initiative through

the interim period, Aruna should continue to develop and manage it during that time. DoFI and KfW will

ultimately select consultants/advisors for OLDM during the implementation of the long-term funding.

5.5.3 Conclusion: Project-Based Approach and Start of Long-Term Dedicated OLDM Funding

Phase 3 will mark the end of the piloting for the OLDM System with the methodology well established and

staff for the ad hoc OLDM RS/GIS Unit working in central DoFI/DOF and staff at different levels including

Technician in five participating provinces, with potential Team Leaders in 2-3 provinces. Phase 4 is the

planned Initial Institutionalization phase when OLDM moves into full and regular operation with long-term

funding in place. Experience has demonstrated that even when projects are approved and funded, setting

up of administration and financial management systems takes several months with procurement taking

longer than that. It is therefore likely that the OLDM Initiative will continue with its current ad hoc project-

based approach through the end of 2021 and into 2022 until the Phase 4 funding comes on stream. This

opens a potential gap in OLDM Initiative support during the most important monitoring period of the

early and late dry seasons of 2022. This increases the importance of securing new projects to work with

who can fund the OLDM Initiative to continue to implement OLDM Cycles and monitoring fieldwork in the

provinces during that time. As explained in the following point, having provincially-based forestry and

conservation project partners will continue to be a need throughout implementation of OLDM.

5.5.4 Recommendation: Need for Provincially-Based OLDM Projects for Early 2022 and

Phase 4

While the outstanding cooperation has enabled the progress, an important consideration is that two of the

three projects (ADB BCC and KfW ICBF) are ending in December 2021. The OLDM Initiative methodology

works best when there are existing projects in the forestry sector with monitoring needs for whom the

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OLDM System answers the requirements and provides additional field areas for work and new monitoring

situations to resolve. In that way, new provinces are added and the OLDM System use and Training Roster

can continue to expand until it is covering the entire country. Ultimately, Provincial OLDM RS/GIS Units will

manage their monitoring activities with support from the Central core OLDM RS/GIS Units in the form of

training, liaison, data preparation, sharing and publishing, regular work in the provinces and other activities.

It is therefore important to promote OLDM to new internationally-funded as well as GOL projects in the

forestry sector as their monitoring solution whether in existing or new OLDM Provinces. This enables the

continued input and development of new OLDM staff and refinement of the OLDM System through

implementing it in other landscapes and ecological zones. Implementation of OLDM without follow-up or

support from outside projects based in the provinces will be more difficult, costly and less effective. Given

the long preparation and startup time typical of new projects, arrangements for cooperation need to be

lobbied for with interested conservation agencies and donors to ensure continuation of the current pace

of progress. An appropriate venue for discussion, promotion and coordination of the different monitoring

systems in use and under development within DOF and DoFI would be the proposed Technical Working

Group (TWG) for the National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS).

5.5.5 Conclusions: Long-Term OLDM Human Resources Development/Management and

Institutionalization

The primary emphasis of the OLDM Initiative through the first two phases has been the building up of staff

capacity and administrative and technical systems to be the foundation for the program for the long-term

future. The objective is to establish functional OLDM Remote Sensing/Geographical Information Systems

(RS/GIS) Units at Central level comprising mixed teams from DoFI and DOF including the DPAM and the

FIPD and similar OLDM RS/GIS Units at Provincial level with a similar composition of mixed teams led by

the POFI and PAFO. The OLDM Units would be a nexus with working space, equipment, dedicated high-

speed internet and administrative support located within the DoFI and PAFO/POFI Offices to enable

collaborative teamwork and training on monitoring during and between OLDM Cycles. After two phases, ad

hoc OLDM RS/GIS Teams have been established and trained with some staff demonstrating the capability

to become Team Leaders and Trainers at both Central and Provincial levels.

Once the planned long-term support is in place, the OLDM System will continue to expand and develop

while building capacity in existing and new provinces and both losing and taking in new participants at all

levels. During this time, the internal GOL processes and higher-level policy and procedures that will

underpin the GOL forest monitoring operations will be being developed. This work will be primarily

supported through the GIZ ProFEB and then the larger FLEGT Project from which the long-term OLDM

funding is also expected. The internal reorganization of DoFI and POFI and the place of OLDM within that

structure will have to be determined and the organizational structure, positions, terms of reference, and all

necessary internal GOL regulations and documents and approvals must be prepared, reviewed and

ultimately legislated. At this point they are formalized GOL processes, staff and positions with specific

authority and work to undertake. This is when the OLDM System would be handed over to DoFI to become

the “owners” taking the lead role and managing all aspects of the work, with OLDM becoming one of the

formal monitoring systems for the GOL. The handover of OLDM to DoFI would occur whenever the

conditions to do so are in place, rather than after the system is in operation nationally.

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5.5.6 Recommendations: OLDM Initiative Institutionalization and HRD/HRM – Phases 4 and

Beyond

With respect to the coordination and management of work, it eventually it makes sense that individual

DoFI OLDM Team members would be assigned to the different provinces to provide direct and regular

support including preparation of data, analysis of potential logging areas within that particular province,

joint mission planning and review of completed Provincial GCP Field Survey Forms. In that role, they would

be expected to join the provinces they’re assigned to regularly for their fieldwork. When the internal

OLDM System Workshop was held in December 2019 and the DoFI representatives agreed that Aruna

should continue to lead the OLDM Initiative, a possible target for handover was discussed as being two

years. This seems unlikely to be possible by December 2021, although the timing would be ideal since it

would correspond with the start of the long-term support from KfW. Instead, the OLDM Initiative will

continue to support the eventual formalization and handover in cooperation with GIZ. As noted above, the

issues of personnel management and resolving the need for the large number of OLDM-capable staff also

needs to be discussed and acted upon at higher management levels within the GOL. These higher-level

issues are more within the terms of reference of the FLEGT Project, so should be referred to them for

continued action while providing OLDM support in the form of documentation, subject papers on human

resources development and management and promotion and attendance of GOL meetings, Working

Groups and Task Forces. As discussed, Aruna will also prepare a Concept Note on HRD/HRM Issues for DoFI

consideration.

After running a simulation of what it would look like to maintain the current pace and progressively expand

to every province in Lao PDR, a 6-7 year timeframe appears ambitious but realistic. This would require

over 100 staff in total between central and provincial staff to be participating and trained at least to

Technician level, with an appropriate range of Team Leaders, Trainers and Developers (this includes DoFI,

DOF, POFI and PAFO staff). As staff take at least 5-6 OLDM Cycles to achieve the initial Technician level

on average, this will require two years of participation in the OLDM Initiative. However, it must be noted

again that the full integration of the OLDM System and best result will be achieved only when there is

existing and dedicated follow-up available to support the ongoing monitoring work in the participant

provinces during and after their participation. Achieving this ambitious target will also require actively

recruiting a large number of staff either from within or outside of the current GOL roster. This issue could

be particularly problematic as already many of the existing OLDM Team members are “volunteers” working

with the DOF, DoFI, POFI, PAFO or other agencies. Staff can maintain volunteer status for several years and

there is no guarantee that they will be taken on board permanently. Resolution of this issue will be difficult

due to constraints on hiring of new GOL staff.

5.5.7 Conclusions: OLDM Gender Issues

One important team-building issue that requires attention based on the first 2 OLDM Phases is that of

gender. There have been only two women involved as participants in the OLDM Teams; one dropped out

while the other joined her first OLDM Cycle in Phase 3. This has fostered somewhat of a “boys club” within

the OLDM Team that has both positive and negative aspects – the work of law enforcement is difficult and

dangerous at times, and having a closely-knit team can help overcome these challenges. On the other hand,

the OLDM Team environment is not particularly welcoming for women and other genders, and as a result

it is unlikely to attract them to try to join the OLDM Team. There are many women who live and work in the

forest as well, and are involved in NTFP gathering, hunting, trapping and logging. That the OLDM Teams will

encounter and have to arrest women and other genders as well as men means that it will be potentially

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a social safeguards flashpoint. Having diverse OLDM Teams means that they are stronger and have a

wider range of knowledge, experience and understanding to bring to their work.

5.5.8 Recommendations: OLDM Gender Issues

It is incumbent upon the OLDM Initiative to actively promote gender inclusion and diversity within the

Teams. This includes several different aspects that require addressing. First and foremost is creating a

welcoming environment for women and other genders during regular activities when working in the office

and field. This includes eliminating inappropriate talk or behaviour that can be intimidating to women.

Second, there needs to be an understanding of the potential social safeguards violations that can happen

when external actors with authority come into disadvantaged communities and households. As the DoFI,

POFI and District Forest Inspection Units (DFIU) all have authority to arrest, question and otherwise interact

with vulnerable poor people, care needs be taken to ensure that these people are not taken advantage of

or placed in an unfair or untenable situation with respect to their human and legal rights. Other OLDM

Team members from other agencies without this authority also need to be better trained to understand

the law and their roles within the law so that they act appropriately and serve the people as they are

supposed to as well as to act in support of the law enforcement activities while ensuring that the lines

protecting the people are not crossed during OLDM work.

There will no doubt be numerous other gender-related issues that will arise during the full piloting and

eventual implementation and institutionalization of OLDM. The OLDM International Advisor is not a gender

specialist, so can only provide a limited understanding and outline of different potential issues and some

ideas about how they potentially might be addressed. During Phase 4, a Gender Specialist should be hired

to look into these and other important gender issues relevant to the OLDM Initiative and recommend

training and actions that could address the social safeguards and contribute to the diversification of the

OLDM Teams. These actions should be incorporated into the annual training cycle and included within the

regular OLDM Cycles as part of the training. Efforts to recruit new staff to the OLDM Initiative should focus

on identifying potential candidates who would be appropriate and capable of becoming pioneers for

inclusion within the Team.

5.5.9 Conclusions: Lack of Access to Forest Areas with Logging Activities

As discussed in the Summary section, OLDM Teams started to encounter increasing problems in gaining

authorization or access to different sites for survey activities during piloting. One issue is cooperating with

the Military who maintain security and control over large forest areas. Another is gaining access to areas

being leased to companies via the Military or different Ministries at Central level or Departments at

Provincial level. A major aspect of the issue of being able to investigate and get to active logging

operations is coordination with other GOL agencies and project partners, particularly Concessionaires and

the Military. Experience from Phase 2 demonstrated that even when the DoFI has an official presence and

mission with permissions from the central and local administration, this does not allow OLDM Teams to

enter concession areas. Instead, the OLDM Teams are supposed to gain official permission to enter the sites

from the agency with whom the concessionaire has an agreement at the level at which the agreement has

been made (National, Provincial, District). Once permission is obtained, then schedules would have to be

approved and other time-consuming paperwork would have to be provided and accepted, and eventually

the OLDM Teams would in theory be able to inspect potential logging sites. This would likely prevent any

attempts to successfully interdict logging activities in the concession areas since they would be able to

refuse permissions and/or delay inspections and the equipment, personnel and logs would already have

been removed from the site.

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5.5.10 Recommendations: Advance Coordination with Concessionaires and the Military

Coordination between different GOL agencies will be a difficult process but is necessary if logging

inspection/interdiction is going to be possible for large parts of the country. These issues regarding access

rights for forest law enforcement are beyond the scope of the OLDM Initiative. High level agreements

between the agencies such as the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and the Ministry of National

Defence (MND) would be needed to enable blanket permissions to get on site with coordination taking

place in the field whenever the OLDM Teams arrive to do investigation and inspection. The setting up,

negotiations and other activities and processes that need to take place to enable the access and arrange

for coordination of inspection work will be an activity that will be supported through the larger FLEGT

Project work in building the institutional capacity of DoFI. The OLDM Initiative will support these activities

through preparation of presentations and issue-specific discussion papers and coordinating with the GIZ

ProFEB Project and, later, the KfW FLEGT Project.

While establishing and building relationships, coordinating with and eventually working with higher Central-

level Military would be the ultimate objective, the recommendations of Section 5.2.2 remain relevant, so

are repeated here:

• Working with the Military has been a positive experience in some provinces, while not yet being

possible in others. Experience has demonstrated that it is most appropriate for cooperation with

the Military to begin at Provincial level where a relationship already exists between they and the

Provincial OLDM Team members. Efforts should continue to try to establish contact and

relationships between PAFO/POFI and the local Military so that they continue to cooperate with

OLDM Teams in field inspection and interdiction operations and eventually agree to send officers

to join in OLDM Cycles.

5.5.11 Conclusions: Dealing with Wildlife Crime

It is highly unusual for OLDM Teams to go into the forest and NOT see evidence of hunting and trapping as

well as encountering hunters with caught game. These include kilometers-long fence and snare systems,

hunters on motorcycle or on foot with long hunting rifles and caught wildlife in sacks, villagers setting

traps and illegal fishing and other illegal activities. While the Department of Forest Inspection are

responsible for law enforcement with respect to the wildlife trade, this is managed and implemented by

other divisions and offices within DoFI and POFI. Experience in Phase 2 showed that when arrests had to

be made, this took staff who were there for a different purpose and to train out of the field for the

remainder of the trip since they had to bring the offenders back and process the paperwork. Even

destroying the fence lines and snares would take significant effort that distracts the OLDM Teams from the

primary mission and their training. On the other hand, the wildlife trade goes hand-in-hand with illegal

logging, and having the significant force available to interdict the wildlife trade during OLDM inspections

and surveys is an opportunity to address another facet of the destruction of the forest.

5.5.12 Recommendations: Dealing with Wildlife Crime

Consideration should be given to having staff from the District Wildlife and Aquatic Inspections Unit join

OLDM fieldwork. This would mean identifying funding for their per diems and accommodation and

ensuring transport so that they are able to join the OLDM Teams on missions. They would then be able to

focus on destroying the fence lines, traps and snares and would be available to process the offenders that

are encountered and arrested with wildlife and weapons without interrupting the logging interdiction work.

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Another area for future inquiry in terms of research into Delta-rNBR should be to determine whether the

data is able to indicate general forest disturbance and hunting trails with lower but still positive Delta-

rNBR values. This is something that can be put within the pipeline for future investigation.


6 Annex I: Conclusions & Recommendations – Summary Tables

The OLDM Conclusions and Recommendations are summarized in the tables below:

6.1 Summary of Phases 1 and 2 and Overall Recommendations for Phase 3

OLDM Phasing and Phase 3

Conclusions Recommendations

• Phase 1: Initial Training and Piloting

– Develop OLDM System and

methodology, test and pilot, build

OLDM Core Team foundational skills

in GIS, Remote Sensing and field

tools;

• Phase 3: Expanded Piloting to complete

OLDM Core Team training, increase

national leadership in fieldwork and

training and prove and improve model

before moving towards

institutionalization;

• Phase 3 halfway completed including early

and late Dry Season OLDM Cycles.

• Phase 2: Full Piloting – Refine and

improve methodology, build up

team skills and knowledge.

OLDM Initiative Phases Completed and Planned – Phases 1 through 4


Phase 1: Completed Successfully in May

2019;

• Phase 3: Focus on GCP Forms, Training

Roster, Documentation, Research;

• Coordinate and work with Technical

Working Group on National Forest

Monitoring System (TWG-NFMS);

• Promote OLDM and liaise and cooperate

with new forestry projects and existing

forestry projects with monitoring needs;

• Phase 4: On track, KfW agreement to

provide long-term support beginning Q3-4

2021;

• OLDM Initiative urgently requires bridge

funding to support DoFI and Advisors to

undertake dry season OLDM Cycles

(training and fieldwork) between

November 2021 and April 2022 until

dedicated KfW OLDM support starts;

• Cooperating provincial projects important

for continuing to build and expand OLDM

Teams and provide field experience.

Phase 2: Completed Successfully in early

October 2020;

Phase 3: On track as of April 2021, ICBF

and BCC funded through

December 2021 but ProFEB II

stops at end-April 2021; ProFEB

III confirmed for limited

budget;

Phase 4: Currently no funding for DoFI

OLDM Team to participate in

early or late dry season OLDM

Cycles; Currently no

provincially-based projects

scheduled to work with OLDM

for late dry season OLDM Cycle

(Jan-Apr 2022).


6.2 Detailed OLDM Initiative Progress and Phase 3 and 4 Recommendations

Overall Progress, Phases 1, 2 and 3 and Objectives for Phase 3


• Ad hoc joint Central-Provincial-

OLDM Teams work closely together

including in the field with District

and Village staff and local Military.

• The close cooperation between Central

and Provincial levels should continue

while developing a closer relationship with

the Military.

• Thousands of documented wildlife

and logging locations surveyed by

Village Forest Patrollers using OLDM

ODK Collect App with ADB BCC

Project.

• Continue to expand use of mobile apps in

project areas for increased data collection

including training local Military patrollers -

prepare a training module, manuals and

videos for "Training of Trainers" for the

OLDM Component 5 Mobile Apps to

extend them.

• Complete framework and overall

OLDM System methodology

developed, tested and successfully

piloted;

• Continuous improvement of the OLDM

System components including research

and testing of new technologies especially

Sentinel-1 “Radar for Detecting

Degradation (RADD)” and drones;

• OLDM Applications: REDD+, NPA

Management, Timber Legality

Assurance Systems (TLAS), Forest

Patrol, Infrastructure Development

and Forest and Land Use Planning

(FLUP).

• Continued development and refinement

of new tools and applications needed by

different field-based forestry projects;

• Focus on finalizing and operationalizing

FLUP support.

• Online interactive Forest and Land

Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring

Tool developed, tested and

deployed for initial pilot

assessment.

• Improve FLUP Monitoring Tool based on

feedback from initial pilot deployment and

incorporate training and dissemination to

users into field survey schedule.

• Directors-General of DoFI and DOF

agreed to support OLDM

incorporation within regular GOL

monitoring processes.

• Prepare outline papers of how to

eventually expand the OLDM System to

national level in terms of human resources

development and cooperation with the

Military.


OLDM Human Resources Development/Management, Capacity Building and Training


• OLDM Trainees not completing the

GCP Field Survey Forms has been

the single biggest problem as it

prevents accuracy analysis and staff

rising up the Training Roster.

• Aruna will experiment with incentive-based

approaches to encourage completion and

submission of the GCP Field Survey Forms.

• The internal OLDM Team

management and leadership

remains overly dependent on the

International Advisor and need to

develop it internally and

progressively take over the

program.

• The Phase 3 work plan should address

system administration and include internal

OLDM workshop;

• OLDM Cycles and fieldwork needs to be led

and managed by OLDM Team Leaders in

Phase 3 and beyond.

• Major activity to produce 12 Step-

By-Step Manuals and 10 Videos in

the English- and Lao-languages;

• Investment in self-learning training

materials (click-by-click manuals,

videos) repaid over and over again,

enables large trainings.

• Continued revision, improvement and

update needed for manuals and videos

because technology and methodology

changes – need to find better way to do so;

• Prepare manuals and videos for Component

4 using MangoMap for Logging Assessment

and Field Mission Planning in Phase 3.

• OLDM staff require 5-6 full OLDM

Cycles to reach Team Leader or

Technician level depending on their

initial skill levels and application.

• Introduction of new staff or provinces will

take two years of OLDM participation before

they are able to “graduate” from the

program.

• A Training Roster established with

over 75 active staff being tracked

including an ad hoc core OLDM

RS/GIS Unit at DoFI/DPAM and staff

from six provinces from North,

South and Central Lao PDR;

• End of 2021 Goals: 30 OLDM Staff at

Technician Level or higher, 2 DoFI Trainers, 5

Provinces “Graduated”.

• A complete set of manuals and

videos in the Lao- and English-

languages to enable self-learning

and provide technical references for

OLDM participants.

• The manuals need to be updated to reflect

the latest revised procedures and upgraded

software.


6.3 OLDM Implementation Issues, Phases 2 and 3

Financial, Technical and Field Inspection Issues, Phases 2 and 3


• Despite not having dedicated and

planned funding or an official project

status, investment on the OLDM

Initiative has been considerable,

averaging approximately US$

36,000/month inclusive of

consultants, government

contributions of staff time, training

and field costs over the first two

phases covering approximately 2.5

years – a total over US$ 1,000,000.

• It is expected that as OLDM moves towards

institutionalization, these costs will rise to

over US$ 50,000/month with the increased

costs reflecting an increase in field activities

and an expansion of the OLDM Core Team to

include more staff from the Forest Inventory

and Planning Division and into new provinces

while maintaining support to existing

provinces;

• Benefits from the OLDM System through

confiscation and eventual sale of cut logs

should be able to exceed the costs for OLDM

Cycles during Phase 4, however more work is

needed to determine the additional costs

and requirements for this to be operational.

• Planet Explorer still useful but no

longer financially attractive, can be

replaced with discrete imagery for

similar cost and minor methodology

change (Phase 2);

• Norway’s International Climate and

Forests Initiative Imagery Program

(NICFI) came on-stream in late 2020

providing access to Quarterly

basemap imagery.

• NICFI Basemaps access proved sufficient for

use for the first pilot use in the late Dry

Season of 2021 so may be sufficient for most

purposes.

• Commercial suppliers have been identified

and contacted and new imagery systems

continue to come on line to provide up-to-

date imagery if required, but need for paid

imagery will be much reduced with Norway

Planet Explorer Basemaps access.

• OLDM Provincial and Central Teams

have now trained in and used

MangoMap extensively as part of

their learning to use the FLUP

Monitoring Tool and now want to

use it for Component 4 as planned.

• The training for System Administrators and

Assistant System Administrators and Retreat

will determine how to manage the

MangoMap within OLDM and this will be

included within the training and manual/

video preparation.

• Project transport to field inspection

sites has been unsatisfactory,

causing needless hiking and reducing

ability for survey of important sites;

• Need motorcycles, field equipment

to get deeper into forest on

missions.

• Project administration need to resolve

transport access issues;

• OLDM Teams need better infrastructure and

equipment and to resolve handover, safety

and equipment management issues.


6.4 Methodology Improvements, Phases 2 and 3

Methodology Improvements and Issues, Phases 2 and 3


• Methodology has been

demonstrated to be able to identify

logging of individual trees and has

successfully been used for arrest of

offenders.

• Need to improve accuracy through better

removal of artifacts (false positives) and

refinement of interpretation patterns.

• Series of Lao-language videos

created and distributed to support

OLDM Trainees along with Google

Earth Scripts and other technological

improvements.

• Difficult for OLDM Trainees to complete all

steps required before finishing 4 OLDM

Cycles – experience in actual implementation

is key.

Research and Development – Phase 3 and Beyond


• Single biggest technical problem is

how to eliminate the large number of

potential degradation locations that

are artifacts, or “false positives”.

• Created annual national change

datasets and created 3-year Change

and 20-year Cumulative Change

Images to support visualization of

upland farming cycles and identify

“Intact Forest”.

• After testing, extended to 32-Year

Cumulative Change Image (1988 – 2020) for

“Intact Forest”;

• Revised Component 2 to add Filtering and

Screening steps;

• Continue to create Annual Delta-rNBR

Change Image datasets from Landsat-8

satellite imagery and add to Cumulative 32-

Year Data to update the “Intact Forest”.

• Annual and Cumulative Datasets could

be improved through quality control

and additional processing.

• Work required versus the return makes this

a low priority – review FIPD and

international datasets for improved basis

for “Intact Forest”.

• New technologies continue to develop

at a rapid pace including use of

Sentinel-1 Radar data for detection of

change (“Radar for Detecting

Degradation”, RADD), drones and

global datasets.

• OLDM Initiative needs to continue to

research these tools and incorporate them

into the OLDM System;

• Encourage development of staff capacity

through supporting OLDM Team research

projects.


OLDM Support for Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) – Phases 2 and 3


• Not a main focus of OLDM but important for addressing forest and land management and wildlife issues and DoFI mandates and outreach to village level about new monitoring capabilities;

• OLDM can offer significant benefit for FLUP sector, but cannot engage in highly intensive activities or expand OLDM to larger non-PoFI/PAFO staff due to capacity overload.

• Creation and piloting of OLDM for FLUP web-based publicly accessible MangoMap system for OLDM and outside projects to use, designed for low effort/low maintenance for OLDM Team;

• Creation of videos and promotion to interested experts and groups;

• Incorporation of brief FLUP Monitoring Tool training during project OLDM Cycles for Provincial non-OLDM staff involved in FLUP.

• Many projects do FLUP, not many have tools to monitor it in Near Real-Time, so not so successful in outcomes.

• Updating and online publishing of ongoing

changes during swidden season of January through May.

• F-REDD Project at DOF have created Provincial Degradation Monitoring System (PDMS) also aimed at providing information about ongoing upland agricultural changes in the countryside during the dry season.

• Cooperate and coordinate with the F-REDD project directly and via the Technical Working Group to determine strengths and weaknesses of the two systems and opportunities for improvement and/or integration.


6.5 Major OLDM Phase 4 Issues and Long-Term Recommendations

OLDM Initiative Situational Summary and Critical Recommendations for Phase 4


• Considerable progress with great

support from KfW ICBF, ADB BCC and

GIZ ProFLEGT/ProFEB for first 3 phases

but all end in 2021;

• Aruna maintains long-term and

continuous presence, leadership and

provides gap support;

• Planned Phase 4 long-term OLDM

Initiative funding unlikely to be in place

for important early and late dry season

2021-2022 OLDM Cycles.

• As noted, urgent need to arrange bridging

funding to maintain early and late dry

season OLDM Cycle in existing Provinces

between November 2021 and April 2022;

• Aruna should continue to manage and

develop the project in the interim period;

• Important to promote to and arrange for

more Provincially-based Projects to join

OLDM early in Phase 4 – work through

Technical Working Groups and

coordination with incoming projects.

OLDM Long-Term Human Resources Development/Management (HRD/HRM) Issues


• Objective to have mixed ad hoc OLDM

RS/GIS Units at Central and Provincial

Levels, Central Support for Provincial

Operations.

• Eventually assign individual ad hoc Central

OLDM Team members to individual

provinces for improved and dedicated

support.

• Many of the ad hoc Central and

Provincial OLDM Team members are

volunteers without authority to engage

in law enforcement or other activities.

• It is important for existing OLDM Team

Members who are volunteers to become

accepted within the GOL system so they

have the authority to interdict illegal

logging activities or officially engage in

DOF forest conservation work.

OLDM Gender Issues


• No women or other genders within

OLDM Initiative – lack of diversity

brings lack of diverse skills and ideas;

• Need a more welcoming work

environment for women and other

genders and specific plan for safe law

enforcement action.

• More effort to identify suitable female

candidates and create a more gender-

friendly work environment;

• Need consultancy and training on gender

issues in Phase 4.


OLDM Institutionalization and Shift towards Law Enforcement – Phases 4 and Beyond


• Phase 3 is the end of the piloting;

Phase 4: Initial Institutionalization

(October 2021-October 2022) will

begin the long process of regularizing

the OLDM System within the

Government of Lao PDR (GOL)

administration.

• Integration of the OLDM System with DoFI

and other agencies will be a long-term

process but once the institutional

conditions are in place, handover of

development and management to the

GOL should happen.

• As DoFI/POFI law enforcement is the

main activity for the OLDM System, it

requires relatively rapid access for

inspection and interdiction, ideally

within a 1-2 week period;

• OLDM Teams are starting to encounter

increasing problems in gaining

authorization or access to different

sites for survey activities during

piloting that will increase as the OLDM

Initiative moves to implementation.

• Higher-level coordination and

administrative arrangements with other

GOL agencies, law enforcement and

Military must be cultivated and arranged

to enable OLDM Team secure access to

degradation locations without hindrance;

• In the meantime, it is most appropriate for

the OLDM Teams to establish cooperation

with the Military at Provincial level

through their contacts with the

PAFO/POFI and try to bring them into

Provincial OLDM Teams and training and

inspection activities.

• OLDM Teams usually encounter

wildlife crime including fence lines,

snares, hunters and captured animals

both dead and alive – however this is

the responsibility of the DOF Wildlife

Division and its Provincial and District

Offices.

• In order to free OLDM Field Teams from

losing resources to deal with wildlife

crime, potentially arrange for

participation and funding for Wildlife

Division staff to join OLDM field missions.


7 Annex II: Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) Monitoring Tool

Background and Rationale

7.1 OLDM Initiative Support for Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) -

Background

The initial impact of COVID-19 on the piloting of OLDM was relatively minor since it cost the loss of only the

last 2 weeks of fieldwork that were scheduled for Xekong and Attapeu Provinces. By that point, most of the

participating staff and provinces had already implemented a full OLDM Cycle including field survey. With

the lockdown measures in place, it soon became apparent that choices would have to be made in terms of

whether the OLDM International Advisor would remain in Lao PDR to support the piloting or return to his

home country of Canada. With the uncertainty of travel and being able to return to Lao PDR, the Advisor

decided to remain in Lao PDR so as not to disrupt the work. However, circumstances were now different

and instead of vacation and a break in the schedule that would also allow for the next GIZ ProFEB contract

to be processed, there was time to pursue other potential innovations that would contribute to the

improvement of the OLDM System.

One issue that has relevance both to forest management and conservation as well as the work of both the

DoFI/DOF and POFI/PAFO is that of Forest and Land Use Planning, or FLUP. This can be referred to also by

a number of different acronyms specific to the different methodologies that have been developed and

supported over the years to try to improve the use of the highlands and reduce the expansion of rotational

agriculture, such as “Participatory Land Use Planning” (PLUP), “Participatory Forest And Land Use Planning

And Management” (FALUPAM) and others. All share common approaches, whereby the project or

implementor works with the local communities to examine the natural resources and environment and

their livelihoods and other factors in order to designate areas as zones for use, conservation, reserve for

future development etc. After a series of participatory exercises designed to support the communities to

better understand and analyze their historical, existing and potential scenarios in respect of agriculture,

conservation and socio-economics, the plan gradually takes shape and is documented in some sort of

mapping format for eventual confirmation, revision and verification. This activity (collectively referred to as

FLUP from this point on) is considered an important foundational part of the development and conservation

of natural resources and the environment in Lao PDR and has been a regular ongoing activity since the

1990’s when it was done throughout the country using paper maps and sketches. A second “wave” of

national FLUP work occurred in the 2000’s using some satellite imagery but almost entirely in the form of

paper printouts along with the topographic maps. Increasingly GIS and other digital information

technologies are now used to increase the accuracy and information content of the plans and to archive

and maintain the data for ease of storage, transfer and use. In the meantime, responsibility for the creation

and management of FLUP within Lao PDR was given to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

(MoNRE) in terms of overall guidance, support and management for the sector as a whole, and with the

Department of Agricultural Land Management (DALaM) being the primary implementation agency at

Provincial and District levels to support the work at village level.

The driving forces behind the significant FLUP effort in Lao PDR have included; a desire to increase the

amount of land available for potential leasing to concessions as part of the GOL economic growth

strategy, the policy of the GOL to return the overall forest cover of Lao PDR to 70% of the total land area,

rural upland agricultural stabilization and to eliminate or reduce significantly the amount of swidden

agriculture that requires large land areas for long-term crop rotations with the concomitant annual slashing

of the vegetation on the plots and subsequent burning in preparation for planting. These objectives clash


with the traditional farming practices and knowledge of the highland peoples who practice their swidden

as they have for centuries despite the difficulty, hard work and poverty that results. With the increased

competition for land from outside investors and the regular increases in population, the rotational cycles

are becoming reduced in terms of the overall suitable farm areas available for local people to use and in

the number of years before they return to their old plots to do their next rotation (typically in areas without

resource limitations, 10-20 year cycles are common, whereas when land is restricted, this can reduce to 3-

5 years). As a result, the land doesn’t build up the fertility in the fallow periods sufficient to provide the

production that the swidden usually achieves and farmers end up in food deficit, with a decreasing spiral

of production that can’t be stopped since no new land is available and farmers haven’t got sufficient labour,

time, food, funds or support to invest in a different agriculture, even if it were possible to overcome the

socio-cultural dimensions that make this transition difficult in the best of circumstances.

With respect to FLUP and its impact on forest, the main objective of the activities is to encourage farmers

to improve their livelihoods while increasing the area and quality of the forest within their village

boundaries by zoning them for conservation and in some cases taking action on reafforestation to support

this. This work is complicated by the circumstances of the particular villages, such as if they border on a

National Protected Area or some other official forest category that dictates the allowed use and activities

that can occur in those areas or not. But the most impactful work and the one that is the most important

in respect of OLDM is that of prevention of encroachment of upland agriculture into the designated

conservation zones within the forest. These areas can trigger actions where villages have entered into

conservation contracts such as with the ICBF Project – the areas to be conserved have regular monitoring

requirements and villages have to ensure that encroachment remains below a certain threshold in order to

qualify for payments relating to carbon credits or other incentives. The move towards improved planning,

documentation and incentivization within the FLUP sector is a positive one that brings the possibility to tie

the planning work to actual outcomes and provide direct payments to reflect the villager success in

achieving these goals. However, it needs to be recognized that it has taken quite a lot of time, effort and

work to gain the basic knowledge, techniques, methods, guidelines, rules and legislation needed to support

this, hence why it is only now really moving into regular action and consequences over a large area of Lao

PDR.

7.2 OLDM and Support for FLUP Monitoring Tool - Rationale

Within this framework, one must also understand the dynamics of forest cover change in Lao PDR and

what this means for the Operational Logging and Degradation Monitoring Initiative. The objective of

OLDM from the start has been to be able to identify logging very soon after it happens such that DoFI Teams

would be able to interdict it before further logging occurs and the logs were removed and sold and the

loggers escaped from the scene of the crime. This is the most difficult result to achieve from a technical

point of view, since selective logging can involve individuals hiking into the forest without obvious trails and

equipment and cutting even relatively small trees which have a high commercial value. Despite this, the

OLDM System has demonstrated that it is both technically, practically and economically feasible to

achieve. Therefore it is definitely possible to do the same for larger logging operations which involve

construction of roads with excavators and bulldozers and bigger trucks with many more trees. These

operations are more organized, happen over a much larger area and are much more intensive so can be

seen even by untrained observers on OLDM satellite imagery. On the other hand, experience in developing

OLDM has educated us to realize that logging can be seen as a 2- or 3-step process that takes place over

anywhere from 2-5 years and involves progressive degradation of the forest plot where the commercially

valuable trees were located. The building of the roads provides access to previously remote and difficult to


get to areas, and this gains the loggers their biggest prize – the first cut of the biggest and rarest luxury

tropical hardwood trees. But these road networks cause the biggest damage to the forest itself, and the

access gives many more smaller vehicles easy means to get into these areas. As a result, forests are then

re-logged to get the smaller and less valuable trees out, until such time as they become degraded, with

large trees removed, and many smaller trees and much of the undergrowth taken out in order to build the

logging skids and trails. At this point, they become attractive to local people for conversion into part of

their swidden land so that the farmers can increase their rotations and gain access to “virgin” land that

had not been farmed before so is higher fertility. It is in this way that the buffer zones between the

untouched forest and the communities outside are expanded and eventually begin to eat into the forest

itself, until eventually it becomes almost entirely converted into an upland agriculture plot and then into

the eventual fallow/cropping cycle.

Therefore one can observe that the primary OLDM System objective of reducing logging of high quality

forest areas would also contribute to the reduction of the encroachment of forest in general by upland

agriculture that is the biggest single driver of the loss of overall forest area in Lao PDR. However, one must

also observe that the encroachment for upland agriculture is likely the largest single factor in terms of area

of annual forest loss since this is a common activity that occurs throughout Lao PDR despite it being explicitly

against government policy and strategy. Therefore it remains an area for Forest Law Enforcement and is

necessarily something that DoFI must become involved in since they are the only forest agency with the

authority to arrest or otherwise take action against encroachers. As with when OLDM Teams encounter

wildlife hunters or traders, the law enforcement actions to arrest and prosecute these offenders will take

the OLDM staff away from their primary objective of reducing the logging and result in a massive

workload to instead reduce the spread of encroachment from rotational agriculture that is primarily the

responsibility of MoNRE/MAF-DALaM via improving land use planning and management. A compromise

already exists in practice – when MoNRE/PONRE/DOF/ DALaM/Project Teams require action on

encroachers, they work with the District Forest Inspection Units (DFIU) to gain the enforcement authority

to manage the issue. As DFIU are only involved in implementation of OLDM for forest patrol and survey,

this is appropriate and won’t interfere with the primary mandate for logging detection and interdiction

while supporting the important work of reducing upland agricultural encroachment. The DFIUs are always

included in OLDM field missions so are trained in how to use the OLDM Component 5 software and data.


8 Annex III: OLDM Training Manuals and Videos

The following table lists the different manuals and videos that have been created in the English and Lao

languages for the OLDM System.

Table 1: Training Manuals and Videos Produced for OLDM Initiative through Phases 1 and 2

Title Phase and Publishing Details

Contents

Training Manual – OLDM Component 1, English

Phase 1; ADB BCC, version 5, 13/09/2018, 50 pp.

Component 1 step-by-step manual for Delta-rNBR and Google Earth Engine in English language

Training Manual – OLDM Component 1, Lao


Component 1 step-by-step manual for Delta-rNBR and Google Earth Engine in Lao language

Training Video – OLDM Component 1, Lao

Phase 2; GIZ ProFEB, version 2, 08/04/2020, 1 hour 9 minutes

Component 1 step-by-step video for Delta-rNBR and Google Earth Engine in Lao language



Component 2 step-by-step manual for Planet Explorer, ReCaREDD and Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 and QGIS



Component 2 step-by-step manual for Planet Explorer, ReCaREDD and Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 and QGIS

Training Video – OLDM Component 2: Delta-rNBR and Satellite Imagery Analysis and Interpretation, English

Phase 1; KfW ICBF, version 1, 18/03/2019, 1 hour 48 minutes

Component 2 step-by-step video for using QGIS to Analyze and Interpret Delta-rNBR, Satellite Imagery and Assess Degradation Sites and Prepare GIS Data

Training Video – OLDM Component 2: Delta-rNBR and Satellite Imagery Analysis and Interpretation, Lao

Phase 2; KfW ICBF, version 1, 20/06/2019, 1 hour 43 minutes

Component 2 step-by-step video for using QGIS to Analyze and Interpret Delta-rNBR, Satellite Imagery and Assess Degradation Sites and Prepare GIS Data in Lao language

Training Video – OLDM Components 2 and 3, Lao

Phase 2; GIZ ProFEB, version 1, 09/04/2020, 1 hour, 33 minutes

Components 2 and 3 step-by-step video for Downloading, Processing and Interpreting Imagery in Lao language

Training Video – OLDM Component 2: Downloading Sentinel-2 Mosaics from Google Earth Engine, English

Phase 2; GIZ ProFEB, version 1, 17/04/2020, 30 minutes

Component 2 improvement step-by-step video for using Script in Google Earth Engine to Download Custom Mosaics of Sentinel-2 or Landssat-8 Imagery




Component 3 step-by-step manual for Processing and Interpreting Imagery, Preparing GIS Data and Maps



Component 3 step-by-step manual for Processing and Interpreting Imagery, Preparing GIS Data and Maps in Lao language

Training Video – OLDM Component 3: Forest Cover and Change Analysis, Lao

Phase 2; GIZ ProFEB, version 2, 18/06/2020, 1 hour 3 minutes

Component 3 step-by-step video for using QGIS to Analyze and Interpret Delta-rNBR, Satellite Imagery and Assess Degradation Sites and Prepare GIS Data in Lao language

Training Video – OLDM Component 3: Completing GCP Survey Forms

Phase 2; GIS ProFEB, version 2, 17/06/2020, 1 hour 27 minutes

Component 3 step-by-step manual for Preparing and Entering Data into GCP Field Survey Forms and Assessing Accuracy and Lessons Learned

Training Video – OLDM Component 4: Preparing and Uploading Imagery to Smartphone, Lao

Phase 2; GIZ ProFEB, version 1, 11/04/2019, 54 minutes

Component 4 step-by-step video for Processing, Exporting and Uploading Data into Smartphones/Tablets with QGIS, MAPC2MAPC64 and Bluetooth in Lao language

Training Sub-Manual – OLDM Component 4: MAPC2MAPC64 for Converting Imagery for Oruxmaps Mobile App, English


Step-by-step manual to install and use the MAPC2MAPC64 Application to Convert Large Delta-rNBR and Satellite Imagery to Oruxmaps Mobile App format and upload it into Smartphones/Tablets

Training Manual – OLDM Component 5: ODK Collect and Oruxmaps Forest Patrol App, English


Component 5 step-by-step manual for using ODK Collect Forest Patrol App and Oruxmaps Mobile GIS App for Field Data Collection and Upload

Training Manual – OLDM Component 5: ODK Collect and Oruxmaps Forest Patrol App, Lao


Component 5 step-by-step manual for using ODK Collect Forest Patrol App and Oruxmaps Mobile GIS App for Field Data Collection and Upload

Training Video – OLDM Component 5: Downloading Field Survey Data, Lao

Phase 2; GIZ ProFEB, 21/03/2020, 13 minutes

Component 5 step-by-step video for Downloading Photos and GPS Data from Smartphones/Tablets in Lao language

Training Video – OLDM Component 5: Fixing Field Survey Data Problems, Lao

Phase 2; GIZ ProFEB, 21/03/2020, 30 minutes

Component 5 step-by-step video for Fixing Common Problems experienced in Downloading and Processing Field Survey Data in Lao language

Training Manual – OLDM System Administrator and Assistant System Administrator, English


System Administrator step-by-step manual outlining information management system


and framework with sections on setting up different software, data and apps

Training Manual – OLDM System Administrator and Assistant System Administrator, Lao


System Administrator step-by-step manual outlining information management system and framework with sections on setting up different software, data and apps

Training Manual – OLDM Data for Forest and Land Use Planning, English


Step-by-step manual to create and process Annual Delta-rNBR Change Images for use in the FLUP activities and the FLUP Monitoring Tool


9 Annex IV: OLDM Issues by Category with Current Status (May 2021)

9.1 Categories

The different issues that become important during the planning and implementation of the OLDM Initiative are listed in the next Annex by number –

issues are randomly numbered. This Annex lists the issues according to the Categories below, which correspond closely to the Activity Categories that

were described in Chapter 4: OLDM Progress and Status. The different issues have been separated by the different category to which they most closely

correspond, and a brief summary of the situation with respect to that issue as of May 2021 at the midway point of Phase 3 is provided.

1A OLDM Administration, Procurement, Funding and Management

1B OLDM Coordination, Cooperation and Promotion

2 OLDM System Methodology Research, Development and Support


3B OLDM Human Resources Development and Management (HRD/HRM)

3C OLDM Cycle Training and GCP Field Survey Form Preparation

3D OLDM Training (Non-OLDM Cycle) and Follow-up Support

4 OLDM Cycle Field Inspection and Interdiction


Figure 48: Categories for OLDM Issues

9.2 OLDM Issues Sorted by Activity Category with Current Status as of May 2021

The table includes the Phase 1 and 2 Issues with the current situation summarized as of 20 May 2021.


OLDM Issues Sorted by Activity Category

Cat Sector Issue

# Issue Conclusions Recommendations

1A

OLDM Administration, Procurement, Funding and

Management

1

Permissions, Personnel and

Planning Paperwork

OLDM is Law Enforcement and not normal development process so needs different processes and procedures

Make case for different processes and procedures to senior management of MAF and DoFI/DOF

Must avoid delays in response to logging or informing people who may be involved in advance

Must aim for one week maximum response time after identification of logging

Issue Situational

Summary - May 2021 (midway through Phase

3)

This includes primarily issues connected to higher administration

and management levels with the Government of Lao PDR (GOL),

mainly the Department of Forest Inspection (DoFI) but also the

Department of Forestry and their counterpart Provincial Agencies

and the cooperating Projects (ADB BCC, KfW ICBF, GIZ ProFEB).

These are important issues that require resolution at higher levels, and as of May 2021 are mainly focused on the need for high-level coordination to gain access to logging sites that are located in Concessions and areas under Military control. These

issues need to be progressively worked towards with the OLDM Initiative supporting this through making connections at Provincial level and preparing Outline Papers to support

GOL management. This issue will likely not be resolved completely during Phases 3 and 4 but needs to continue - it is

understood that the GIZ ProFEB Project and the KfW FLEGT Project will both work at these levels and towards resolution

of these issues. Involvement with the Technical Working Groups (TWG) will also support these efforts.

7 Procurement

Need to resolve issues relating to internet connectivity, motorcycle access for fieldwork and laptop computers for OLDM Team members

Procure individual internet hotspots and monthly costs for all OLDM Team members including in provinces

Procure full sets of safety equipment for fieldwork and motorcycles for improved access to remote areas


Procurement should follow recommendations of technical staff and consultants

Procure higher specification laptop computers and monitors for Provincial staff to reflect their increased role

1A


Management

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is procurement of data, equipment, transport, software, web services, or other needs for

OLDM System research and development or implementation.

Procurement will necessarily be very limited due to the lack of dedicated budget for OLDM from the three supporting

projects. Where possible, new technology should be tested for future potential procurement. The future needs for full

implementation need to be prepared, agreed upon and specifications and procurement documents prepared for the

incoming KfW Project support to reduce delays. However, major procurement is unlikely to be completed prior to Q4

2022.

15

OLDM Funding This is a Phase 2/3 Issue so was not included within the Phase 1 Conclusions and Recommendations.

Issue Situational


3)

This issue pertains to funding of the OLDM Initiative to enable it to

continue. Funding for the first three phases has come from the three supporting projects (ADB BCC, KfW ICBF and GIZ ProFEB).

Long-term funding has been agreed to with KfW as part of the upcoming FLEGT Project, however

all details of that remain to be determined as well as the amount

of funds.

As noted in the Critical Issues section, there is a funding gap between November 2021 and May 2022 that would

potentially cause cancellation or at the least severe cutting down of the main monitoring activities during the Dry Season of 2021-2022. In addition, it is very important to find forestry

projects that need a monitoring solution so that the OLDM Initiative continues to have field locations to monitor and

inspect thereby gaining experience and knowledge and building staff capacity.

17 OLDM Costs This is a Phase 2/3 Issue so was not included within the Phase 1 Conclusions and Recommendations.


Issue Situational


3)

This issue pertains to estimated costs for piloting and then

implementation of OLDM. This includes all costs but is necessarily

approximate since none of the supporting projects undertake

OLDM-specific accounting, making estimation of costs difficult. Similar caveats apply to the estimation of

benefits, which are based on earlier work for SUFORD-SU in

Southern Lao PDR but don't include recovery, processing and other

costs.

Estimation of costs needs to be better detailed and specifications prepared for the eventual budgeting and

procurement for the long-term KfW support for Phase 4. Having the costs and a procurement plan in place as soon as the KfW project is ready to start may accelerate progress and

assist to resolve the issues during the funding gap and the remainder of Phase 4. Close contact should be maintained

with KfW to ensure information is available for their consideration in advance of project startup.

1A


Management

18

OLDM Field Transport



Issue Situational


3)

This is a cross-sectoral issue with Procurement (Issue 7) from the

Phase 1 Report. This is about the ability of OLDM Teams to get to the field survey and inspection locations based on the analysis

work.

In particular in the early part of Phase 3, field transport did not get OLDM Teams close enough to their survey objectives - this reduces the value of the data collected during the piloting and causes needless expenditure of effort during difficult field

work. This issue needs to be resolved by the participating projects as they administrate the vehicles used in the field

survey work. Having access to motorcycles and safety equipment and training to ride them will have to wait for the

implementation with long-term KfW support since there is limited funding available until that point.

1B

OLDM Coordination, Cooperation

and Promotion

6 Project

Relationships with DoFI

ADB BCC and ICBF have no formal relationship with DoFI who are the only MAF agency with law enforcement mandate

Projects should formalize their relationship with DoFI to gain support and enable law enforcement within project areas and mandates


Work with projects to identify POFI/DoFI staff who can support them to use OLDM for their objectives

Maintain close cooperation with the Provincial OLDM participants to support them and work with them

1B


and Promotion

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is regarding how outside agencies and projects who are not

formally working with DoFI participate with the OLDM Initiative officially and in

coordination with other monitoring activities.

The issue of the ADB BCC and KfW ICBF Projects official formalization of their relationship with DoFI was achieved during Phase 2, and the projects worked cooperatively to

support the piloting of the OLDM System even when in other project areas. This issue will continue to arise whenever new projects start to monitor with the OLDM System who don't have an official relationship with DoFI. Both to gain more projects to monitor and to assist in resolving coordination

issues, the OLDM Initiative should continue to participate in and support the Technical Working Group for the National Forest Monitoring System (TWG-NFMS) and other relevant

TWGs.

13

Central-Provincial

OLDM Team Cooperation

Initial plan to use Provincial staff solely for Components 4 and 5 changed as capacity exists for full OLDM Cycle and for Provincial OLDM Teams

Build Provincial capacity for Components 1 through 3 as well and aim for Technicians/Team Leaders and Trainers at Province

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is about the different aspects of Central-Provincial OLDM Team cooperation. These include

the roles of the Central vs. those of the Province, their coordination,

major issues regarding access and security and how to build up the

Central and Provincial Teams.

The Central-Provincial relationship was initially expected to be more clearly delineated with the Central OLDM Teams

completing Components 1, 2 and 3 with consultation with the Provinces who work more intensely with the Central OLDM

Teams in Component 4 then undertake the field inspection in Component 5 and send the data back to the Central OLDM

Team for finalization. In Phase 1, the Provincial Teams demonstrated capacity to undertake Remote Sensing and GIS

analysis so were included in the first three components as well. The vision is now for developing fully capable OLDM

Teams in the Provinces including a Provincially-based Trainer who can continue to build capacity, with 1-2 Central OLDM Team members assigned to each Province to support them,


1B


and Promotion

provide additional and update training, join in their field inspection and otherwise liase and coordinate with them. The

major issue of the first half of Phase 3 was OLDM Teams being administratively blocked or physically chased from logging inspection areas so this needs to be progressively addressed both from the Province upwards by the OLDM

Teams, and the DoFI laterally and upwards through support with the FLEGT Project.

3

Cooperation with the Military

Must build relationship with Military or cannot monitor large areas of forest near border and have increased risk and danger

Start meeting with Military at provincial level and introduce them to OLDM, invite them to join for work

Military will need to see a benefit for cooperation or they have no reason to do so since have complete authority in areas and generate significant revenue from logging

Require a "win-win" solution through providing access to OLDM technology, data and training in return for cooperation and security

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is in regard to all aspects of cooperation with the Military.

This was noted in Phases 1 and 2 as an important issue requiring effort

over a long-term to resolve that would be difficult but necessary

since the Military controls many of the best quality and most

biodiverse forest in the country. They are also needed for security in

these areas as well as access.

OLDM Teams have worked with local Military units in insecure areas in Bokeo and Luang Namtha Provinces and have

cooperated with Militia and other soldiers elsewhere. In the first half of Phase 3, an Officer joined the Bokeo Training and fieldwork - he has expressed interest in participating in the next OLDM Cycle training and field inspection. The OLDM Initiative will continue to foster relationships at provincial

level to build cooperation with Provincial/Regional Military while supporting higher-level coordination efforts. An Outline Paper on Military Cooperation will be prepared during Phase 3

to support DoFI management in these efforts.

8 Promotion of

OLDM

Need to expand the profile for the OLDM Initiative to gain wider participation from projects, agencies and the Military and to

Create easy-to-understand presentations, brochures and videos to explain the OLDM Initiative and gain support from non-technical and senior management staff


identify "champions" to promote it at higher levels of the GOL

1B


and Promotion

OLDM is complicated and difficult to understand for non-technical and non-GIS people

Issue Situational


3)

This issue describes activities relating to promoting the OLDM

System to the DoFI and DOF so that they're fully informed and involved

in the work and provide support for institutionalization within the

GOL, and to new and existing projects in the forestry and land

use planning sectors for their work in monitoring forest for

conservation, REDD+, NPA conservation and management,

Timber Legality Assurance Systems (TLAS), Forest Patrol, Infrastructure Development and Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP). As noted in

several sections, having provincially-based forestry projects to monitor is critical to the OLDM Initiative since this is where the

different technologies are adapted and tested in real-world situations while capacity is built in the work at Central and Provincial levels.

Promotion to gain provincially-based projects is very important but should aim for a cooperative approach to avoid "competing" for projects by coordinating with the Technical Working Group on the National Forest Monitoring System (TWG-NFMS) and other TWGs as well as with the DoFI and

DOF. The joint statement by the Directors-General of DoFI/DOF on 1 September 2020 has provided a strong indication for OLDM as a valued and viable system for

monitoring forest in Lao PDR from the GOL. This needs to be demonstrated by working closely with both Departments to

provide the monitoring required while building capacity. While coordination through the TWG-NFMS is good,

experience demonstrates the importance of continuous communication and discussions, and providing information

and ideas for incoming projects and consultants for the OLDM System to be decided upon as the basis for monitoring. With

regard to the FLUP Monitoring Tool and the Provincial Degradation Monitoring System (PDMS) of the F-REDD

Project, cooperation with OLDM and F-REDD will enable determination of the best way to integrate/cooperate or

utlize the benefits of the two systems which are likely complementary. Promotion over the next six months will be

particularly important for finding projects for Phase 4.

1B


and Promotion


2

OLDM System Methodology

Research, Development and Support

10

Analysis and Mission Planning

Need more careful and precise analysis before going to the field to reduce fallback to traditional "ask and follow the locals" method;

Current forest cover mapping not sufficient for separating Evergreen and Deciduous - use of VHR imagery as QGIS Plugin/Planet Explorer to review previous dry seasons better way for determination;

Better distinguish between Evergreen and Deciduous Forest for analysis to reduce false positives from leaf fall;

Remains role for MangoMap in future as provincial staff not likely to come to Vientiane for all training to save time and costs and to provide tool for use for non-GIS staff;

Fire damage can be identified with combination of FIRMS GIS and Sentiel-2 imagery with 12-8-4 band combination (SWIR-NIR-Red);

Fire damage is not as important as other issues - action prior to burning the fields is the objective and burned areas can be easily seen with ordinary Delta-rNBR data.

2



Staff are confident to use the DEM and satellite imagery for direction in the field.

The 3-D analysis is particularly important for access planning and elimination of stream and other artifacts.

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is more of a "summary" or "container" for overall analysis

and mission planning whereas specific technical issues are broken

out for deeper discusssion.

The alternatives for Planet satellite imagery were a major focus of Phase 2 and were mostly resolved once the

Norwegian support for free access to Planet Basemaps system was in place (NICFI) by January 2021. The major issue for

resolution remains the elimination of artifacts (false positives) and to refine the interpretation patterns to improve

consistency and success and the completion of the GCP Field Survey Data Forms.

21 Delta-rNBR

Research and Development

Individual Delta-rNBR Sentinel-2 pixels are important so should be investigated;

These pixels are very common, so a better understanding of values and what they represent and additional indicators to separate logging from natural treefall and other causes is important;

Preparation of Delta-rNBR imagery for fieldwork should include lower values than 0.05 as subtle colours

OLDM Team members appreciate this extra data and it may provide additional information useful for understanding

where people are moving through the forest that is useful for understanding forest condition and wildlife hunting.


to allow users to understand what they indicate better.

Delta-rNBR values between 0.05 and 0.1 appear to correspond to logging while higher values are mostly upland clearing or roads/infrastructure and lower values noise.

2

Issue

Situational Summary - May 2021 (midway through Phase

3)

This issue has been broken out of the larger Phase 1 Issue 10

"Analysis and Mission Planning" since it has become the primary

tool used within the OLDM System and has proven more accurate than

even higher resolution satellite imagery. Delta-rNBR and the new

RADD methodology remain the main focus of research and

development efforts.

There remains significant value in investigation of Delta-rNBR, particularly in regard to the values/patterns and their

interpretation and the lower levels of degradation that might indicate higher human presence in the forests that is related

to selective logging and wildlife exploitation. The Intact Forest dataset has proven very useful and should be updated and

improved.



22

MangoMap Web-Based GIS

Software MangoMap not used in Phase 1 since Provincial OLDM teams came to Vientiane for training

Issue Situational


3)

This issue pertains to the use of the MangoMap web-based GIS

software-as-a-service (SAAS) within the OLDM System. This includes its

use within Component 4 for Mission Planning and coordination between the Central and Provincial OLDM Teams and as the basis for

the FLUP Monitoring Tool.

The MangoMap software was "revived" in Phase 2 via the FLUP Monitoring Tool and has been positively received by the

Central and Provincial OLDM Teams who are requesting training and access to set up their own online maps and data.

This is a positive sign for integrating MangoMap within the OLDM System as originally designed. Aruna continues to

provide the MangoMap subscriptions for 2 of the 3 projects (all other than ADB BCC) to enable them to function.


11

Components 1, 2 and 3 Process Augmentation

Methodology is significantly more intense but now focuses more on artifacts and ensuring staff can get to the sites safely and easily.

Staff should begin preparation of GCP Field Survey Forms during initial analysis to ensure proper selection of field survey points and documentation.

Issue Situational


3)

This issue focuses on the OLDM System process as a whole, rather

than the individual technical aspects and how the

implementation of the OLDM System can be improved or

augmented.

The GCP Field Survey Data Forms remain the key issue tying together the analysis, field inspection and documentation and

support continues to focus on improving the success rate of completed forms so the Training Roster can continue to grow

- this issue is discussed more extensively as Issue 3C. The support for Forest and Land Use Planning (FLUP) is being

integrated into the OLDM Cycle training and field inspection as part of regular processes.

2



14

OLDM Applications

Working with three projects enabled deeper understanding of different conditions and monitoring requirements so contributed to development of several OLDM applications

Continue to develop solutions required by the projects using the OLDM Components and Tools to continuously develop and improve the methodology

Issue Situational


3)

This issue tracks the different OLDM System applications being developed as part of the regular work of supporting the ongoing

forestry projects in their monitoring activities.

The existing OLDM System applications were developed in direct response to the supporting project requirements so are appropriate and tested in real-world situations - this process approach should continue as it is successful, with the FLUP Monitoring Tool and FLUP support being the newest OLDM Application developed and tested in Phases 2 and 3. New

projects are needed to determine other OLDM System requirements in order to remain responsive to DoFI and DOF.

19

Forest and Land Use Planning

(FLUP) Monitoring Tool

This is a Phase 2/3 Issue so was not included within the Phase 1 Conclusions and Recommendations.

Issue

Situational This issue concerns the OLDM

Initiative support to the Forest and The support to the FLUP sector in the late Dry Season of Phase

3 focused on how to incorporate the FLUP Monitoring Tool



3)

Land Use Planning (FLUP) sector and the FLUP Monitoring Tool as the primary means to do so. The

FLUP activities were undertaken in response to the needs of the ADB BCC and KfW ICBF Projects which both worked to support project villages to reduce upland forest

encroachment through improved zoning and conservation, and were

developed during the COVID-19 lockdown during Phase 2 and

piloted in the late Dry Season of Phase 3.

training into the OLDM Cycle fieldwork so that non-OLDM staff involved in FLUP would be able to use the Tool and

understand how the data can be used to monitor ongoing change and identify encroachment prior to burning so action

can be taken. This was considered successful, so it needs to be further refined and documented so it becomes a regular part

of the OLDM System.

3A

OLDM Training Manuals and

Videos 9

Production of Training

Materials

Training manuals and videos have been very. effective and enabled self-learning important to manage the high staff turnover and change Projects need to continue to allocate the significant consulting

time for the OLDM Consultants to produce the revised and updated manuals and videos.

Regular and ongoing inputs are needed to update and revise the manuals and videos since the OLDM methodology and technologies change continuously.

Issue Situational


3)

This issue follows the creation, revision, updating and

dissemination of the Training Manuals and Videos prepared for the OLDM System to enable self-

learning by new and existing OLDM Team members. The creation of

the manuals was a part of Phase 1 and has continued through all

The manuals were for the most part created in 2018 and 2019 during the start of the development of the OLDM System to support the Team who were all new staff at that point. The

software, data and technology have all changed significantly since that time, so new manuals need to be produced based

on the latest versions and the updated methodology. The videos have proven successful so should continue to be

produced by the OLDM National Advisor to address issues as they arise. With the return of COVID-19 lockdowns,


subsequent phases, with the initial video created in Phase 1

demonstrating the value of that as a tool. Phase 2 focused more on

the creation of Lao-language videos and creation of new sub-

manuals describing the new technical steps and technologies that were developed during that

time.

interaction between the OLDM Advisors and the OLDM Team members will necessarily move online so more effort will be

put into how to best support the Team using video-conferencing and other digital methods for the remainder of

Phase 3 so that as many GCP Field Survey Data Forms are produced as possible in advance of Phase 4.

3B

OLDM Human Resources

Development and

Management (HRD/HRM)

4

Gender, Social Behaviour and

Health of OLDM Participants

Forestry is male-dominated but female participation in OLDM can and should increase to bring more perspective and diversity to bear.

Provide training in ensuring a positive and safe working environment for women in OLDM;

Provide training on encouraging positive social behaviour and maintaining good health despite risky work environment.

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is a sub-issue of HRD/HRM and a cross-cutting one that will remain one for the length

of the OLDM Initiative given the male dominance of OLDM Team participants. Gender issues are

evolving at the same time as people worldwide grapple with a greater understanding of these aspects. For Lao PDR, women

remain the key gatherers of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and work with their husbands to identify, cut, transport and sell

timber although their involvement in this more physically demanding

work is less that that of men.

As women are also in the forest and will be arrested for cutting trees illegally, the OLDM Teams will have to be able to

manage this without violating the law or the rights of the individuals - this opens many potential safeguards issues that

would be better managed if there were more female staff working within the OLDM Teams. However, convincing

women to work within the OLDM Initiative will be difficult unless the working environment improves to become more

inclusive. There is little internal understanding or recognition of these issues, so education will need to precede action, however there is no available budget or support to hire

consultants to deal with this, and the current OLDM Advisors are not trained in these respects. A consultancy will be

needed early in Phase 4 to better identify the issues and a plan of action to manage them in the short- and long-term.

5 Leadership GOL agencies need to identify

OLDM Leaders within their ranks at Projects should support identification and training of appropriate staff;


central and provincial levels and provide them authority and

support to implement the work. Should be focus on identifying potential women leaders.

3B

OLDM Human Resources

Development and

Management (HRD/HRM)

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is also a subset of HRD/HRM and another cross-

cutting one that affects all aspects of the work. Through the first two phases, the International Advisor

was necessarily involved in all activities including designing and

leading the trainings and field missions since the focus was on

developing and refining the methodology and building the

foundational and knowledge base for the OLDM Teams. With Phase 3 representing the end of piloting, it is important for the OLDM Teams

to develop their internal leadership over the program so they can

manage it and bring their greater understanding of the Lao forestry situation into the OLDM System.

The first half of Phase 3 was the start of the change of leadership, with the National OLDM Team members leading the smaller OLDM Teams through the OLDM Cycle trainings and organizing the analysis, determining the areas to survey and leading the field activities including some without any advisors supporting. The next step is for the OLDM Team Leaders to start managing and running the OLDM Cycle

trainings - the International and National Advisors will start reducing their direct implementation roles and focus more on long-term and complex issues such as strategy, research and

development, reporting, policy support and HRD/HRM.

20

Training Roster Development and Management


Issue Situational


3)

This issue describes the long-term Training Roster that maintains a record of all participating OLDM

Staff and the trainings and fieldwork they've been involved in

so that they gain credit and can rise up the roster to achieve

The Training Roster is intimately connected to the completion of the GCP Field Survey Data Forms - this is discussed in more

detail in the next section. As noted, a separate HRD/HRM Issues Outline Paper needs to be written to provide

background and an overall framework and summary to support the GOL agencies to understand and manage the

monitoring activities of OLDM. However one of the biggest


Technician, Team Leader, Trainer and Developer levels. This includes overall HRD/HRM issues affecting the long-term development of the

OLDM Teams at Central and Provincial levels.

long-term issues requiring resolution remains the need for the many volunteers working within the OLDM Initiative to be accepted as full-time permanent GOL staff so that they are

part of institutionalization. This is a high-level issue requiring the support of the FLEGT Project to resolve within the GOL

system.

3C

OLDM Cycle Training and

GCP Field Survey Form Preparation

23

OLDM Cycle Training


Issue Situational


3)

This issue includes all general issues associated with the OLDM Cycle Trainings, which include full OLDM Cycle trainings in Vientiane

and the Provinces including training in preparation for field survey. Specific issues requiring

their own discussion will be separated from this as will non-OLDM Cycle training. This issue wasn't specifically discussed in

Phase 1 because the concept was being developed. The training in the provinces mostly focuses on preparation for field survey and use of the mobile apps for data

collection from Component 5, but also re-analyzing new areas is

common because of the OLDM Teams being unable to access planned locations when in the

field.

The OLDM Cycle trainings are now regularized and consistent since there have been 5 full OLDM Cycles to date (May 2021). It was planned for the best two OLDM Team members to start

leading the trainings in the late Dry Season of 2020-2021 however both staff cancelled due to other commitments at the last minute. This will now hopefully start in the early Dry Season of 2021-2022. A module on "Training of Trainers" for the OLDM Component 5 apps needs to be created to better

extend the field survey tools whenever OLDM Staff are in the field, as well as the manual and videos for the Component 4

Mission Planning using MangoMap. It is aimed to have participation in the full OLDM Cycles by Military Officers in

Phase 4.

24 OLDM Field Survey Data

Forms This is a Phase 2/3 Issue so was not included within the Phase 1 Conclusions and Recommendations.


3C

OLDM Cycle Training and

GCP Field Survey Form Preparation

Issue Situational


3)

This issue is about the Ground Control Point (GCP) Field Survey

Data Forms, or GCP Forms, which the OLDM System uses as the

fundamental documentation of the work. The GCP Forms include space for screenshots of the Delta-rNBR,

satellite imagery, field survey photos and other data collected to provide a standardized record for all analysis and data collected that

is then archived and used for accuracy assessment and to refine and improve the methodology and provide a basis to assess research

of new tools.

There have been many issues with OLDM Team staff that have prevented them from completing the GCP Forms, which are critical to their achieving higher levels on the OLDM Training Roster including not yet mastering the different Components and their technologies, not having available time to complete

the forms from other work commitments and lack of incentives to complete the forms. Aruna will experiment with

incentives in the form of payment of 20,000 Kip/GCP Form and the National Advisor will continue to work remotely with the OLDM Teams during the extended COVID-19 lockdown. The International Advisor will complete review of the GCP

Forms and award Certificates for OLDM Team staff who have achieved different levels on the Training Roster during Phase

3.

3D

OLDM Training (Non-OLDM Cycle) and Follow-up Support

25 Non-OLDM

Cycle Training and Support

Forestry is male-dominated but female participation in OLDM can and should increase to bring more perspective and diversity to bear

Provide training in ensuring a positive and safe working environment for women in OLDM

Provide training on encouraging positive social behaviour and maintaining good health despite risky work environment

Safety will become increasingly important as risks increase from malaria, wild animals, accidental falls, car accidents, armed hunters/loggers, poisonous plants, heat stroke and dehydration

Safety First! Staff need good quality footwear, ICOM GPS radios or SatPhones with long range/ability to communicate in remote highlands, anti-venom and trauma medical kits, machetes, protective gloves, sunblock, deet anti-mosquito spray and water purification kits


3D

OLDM Training (Non-OLDM Cycle) and Follow-up Support

Issue Situational


3)

This issue includes all general issues associated with the non-

OLDM Cycle Trainings. These trainings build capacity in cross-

sectoral areas of weakness such as gender or which support the field activities such as first aid. Specific

issues requiring their own discussion will be separated.

Since there is limited funding available prior to the advent of the long-term KfW support, the training and support required for the OLDM Initiative outside of the OLDM Cycles will have to be delayed until that time other than the System Administrator training which is internal and can be prepared and delivered by the Advisors. The gender training will require consulting services to assess the situation within the OLDM Teams and suggest how to move forward prior to the training taking place, whereas the First Aid Training can be procured from a local provider - both of these activities will have to wait for Phase 4.

16

OLDM System Administration

The first System Administrator/Assistant System Administrator training occurred in Phase 1 but it wasn't separated as an issue at that time.

Issue Situational


3)

This issue pertains to System Administration, which is managed by System Administrators (SA) and their Assistants (ASA). This was set

up initially in Phase 1 to manage the Planet Explorer access and data

management, sharing and archiving.

With the OLDM System having evolved significantly since Phase 1 and the Planet Explorer system no longer available to 2/3 of the projects, an update is required along with refresher

training. This is planned for the second half of Phase 3.

4

OLDM Cycle Field Inspection and Interdiction

2 Field Budget

and Cash Advances

Field survey cannot be planned to great detail so more flexibility needed to ensure objectives are met;

Provide actual field staff with sufficient funds for fieldwork with extra contingencies;

Costs potentially saved by strict administration procedures and management are dwarfed by lost actual and opportunity costs in the field.

Enable responsibility and control of field activities and funds to the participating OLDM staff rather than project or GOL agency administrators.


4


Issue Situational


3)

This issue discusses OLDM Team field budgets and cash advances for fieldwork. This issue has been problematic in some projects due

to their rules allowing for only 70% of the estimated field allowances

being provided to the staff with the remainder reimbursed based on receipts, and OLDM Teams not having access to contingency or

field budgets when required due to the uncertain nature of OLDM field

planning.

This issue remains unresolved for the project concerned as there are no exceptions allowed to the rules, so the problems will likely continue until the KfW funding becomes available. Access to field costs has been partially resolved in Phase 2,

however administration and documentation remains a burden and staff lacking finances continues to affect field efficiency. OLDM work is demanding and difficult, both in the office and

in the field where it is also dangerous, and additional incentives will have to be found to encourage the more

appropriate staff to join the program and remain within it.

12 Fieldwork

Using local guides helpful for getting to sites safely but not infallible and can be involved in logging

Use local guides but rely more on analysis and Delta-rNBR to follow scientific approach - artifacts are important data points too

Previous maps and GIS data useful but not good enough for guiding fieldwork, use VHR imagery instead

Split large groups into smaller teams to increase coverage and data collected

Logging often on mid-slopes in Evergreen forest, not on steep slopes, hilltops or adjacent to streams

Staff need to do post-fieldwork statistical analysis of accuracy and identify causes for errors to improve methodology and reduce lost time in fieldwork

Need to assess context in analysis work to separate logging from opium fields, land slips and slides, natural tree fall or storm/fire damage

Compare RapidEye and PlanetScope imagery from wet and dry seasons in Planet Explorer to eliminate banana, bamboo and other seasonal change then confirm with Bing/Google/Yandex VHR imagery from QGIS plugins

4


If logging is far from village, then degradation not done by villagers or is not logging, but could be companies or other larger organizations - would be seen by

Focus on mid-slope Evergreen forest as primary target during mission planning then collect valley targets along the way as these are usual access corridors


larger degradation area and tracks/roads

Climbing hills after rain can be very difficult and dangerous

Use motorcycles and other vehicles to go as far as possible into the forest to save time and energy and enable access of most important areas


Need to gather more data and understanding of more remote areas to better understand what is happening there, although more expensive and difficult to get


Special equipment needed to help access and traction during wet season and smaller rain events in the dry season for vehicles and people


4


Issue Situational


3)

This issue includes all aspects of fieldwork including logistics,

leadership, efficiency, methodology, equipment,

transportation, safety and dealing with wildlife. Some aspects are separated in other sections but remain pertinent such as non-

OLDM training for first aid.

Fieldwork will remain the primary focus of activity and is essential to HRD/HRM and staff learning of OLDM. Logistics and administration of fieldwork has been complicated and difficult due to the three different projects having separate

administration and financial management systems and rules. Getting sufficient transportation for the large field teams has been a continuous headache, and OLDM Teams seldom are

delivered to where they need to go resulting in lower quality data collected and inefficiency. More and better field

equipment is required along with personal safety equipment and training, however until the long-term budget is available, the status quo will be maintained due to the lack of budgetary

resources.


5

OLDM Documentation and Reporting

26

OLDM Documentation and Reporting

Documentation and Reporting were topics in Phase 1 but not a separate issue. With the OLDM Initiative moving forward, standardizing and improving documentation and reporting needs to

happen for Phases 2 and beyond.

Issue Situational


3)

This issue discusses Documentation including manuals, progress

reports, videos and other information and Reporting,

particularly Final Reports for each OLDM Phase. The three supporting projects agreed to accept a single

OLDM Report discussing all activities and inputs to avoid

having to write three separate reports, however as the OLDM System was undergoing rapid

development, the reporting was not so well organized.

With the OLDM Initiative moving forward, standardizing and improving documentation and reporting needs to happen for Phases 2 and beyond. The very long and complicated Phase 2

Version 3 of the Final Report was streamlined to make it easier for non-technical readers, and separated into a

Detailed Narrative Report of Phase 2 and a Final Report with an Executive Summary and an Annex summarizing the

Conclusions and Recommendations. This spreadsheet further develops the organization of the Issues, Conclusions and

Recommendations to enable better tracking into the future.


10 Annex V: OLDM Issues – Phases 1, 2 and 3

The following table lists OLDM Issues in numerical order. The numerical order refers to how they were

originally numbered in Phase 1 and then added sequentially afterwards, so are random. This list is

maintained to keep track of the different important issues for the OLDM Initiative. The current status of the

different issues is included in the reorganized list in Annex III where the issues are listed by Activity Category.

Phase 1 Conclusion/Recommendation

Phase 1 Discussion promoted to Conclusion/Recommendation

Phase 2/3 Conclusion/Recommendation

OLDM Issues – Phases 1, 2 and 3

Issue #

Issue Conclusions Recommendations

1

Permissions, Personnel and

Planning Paperwork

OLDM is Law Enforcement and not normal development process so needs different processes and procedures

Make case for different processes and procedures to senior management of MAF and DoFI/DOF

Must avoid delays in response to logging or informing people who may be involved in advance

Must aim for one week maximum response time after identification of logging

2 Field Budget

and Cash Advances

Field survey cannot be planned to great detail so more flexibility needed to ensure objectives are met

Provide actual field staff with sufficient funds for fieldwork with extra contingencies

Costs potentially saved by strict administration procedures and management are dwarfed by lost actual and opportunity costs in the field

Enable responsibility and control of field activities and funds to the participating OLDM staff rather than project or GOL agency administrators

3 Cooperation

with the Military

Must build relationship with Military or cannot monitor large areas of forest near border and have increased risk and danger

Start meeting with Military at provincial level and introduce them to OLDM, invite them to join for work

Military will need to see a benefit for cooperation or they have no reason to do so since have complete authority in areas and generate significant revenue from logging

Require a "win-win" solution through providing access to OLDM technology, data and training in return for cooperation and security

4 Gender, Social Behaviour and

Health of

Forestry is male-dominated but female participation in OLDM can and



OLDM Participants

should increase to bring more perspective and diversity to bear Provide training on encouraging

positive social behaviour and maintaining good health despite risky work environment

5 Leadership

GOL agencies need to identify OLDM Leaders within their ranks at central and provincial levels and provide them authority and support to implement the work

Projects should support identification and training of appropriate staff

Should be focus on identifying potential women leaders

6 Project

Relationships with DoFI

ADB BCC and ICBF have no formal relationship with DoFI who are the only MAF agency with law enforcement mandate

Projects should formalize their relationship with DoFI to gain support and enable law enforcement within project areas and mandates

Work with projects to identify POFI/DoFI staff who can support them to use OLDM for their objectives

Maintain close cooperation with the Provincial OLDM participants to support them and work with them

7 Procurement



Procurement should follow recommendations of technical staff and consultants

Procure full sets of safety equipment for fieldwork and motorcycles for improved access to remote areas

Procure higher specification laptop computers and monitors for Provincial staff to reflect their increased role

8 Promotion of

OLDM

Need to expand the profile for the OLDM Initiative to gain wider participation from projects, agencies and the Military and to identify "champions" to promote it at higher levels of the GOL

Create easy-to-understand presentations, brochures and videos to explain the OLDM Initiative and gain support from non-technical and senior management staff

OLDM is complicated and difficult to understand for non-technical and non-GIS people

9 Production of

Training Materials

Training manuals and videos have been very effective and enabled self-learning important to manage the high staff turnover and change

Projects need to continue to allocate the significant consulting time for the OLDM Consultants to produce the revised and updated manuals and videos

Regular and ongoing inputs are needed to update and revise the manuals and videos since the OLDM methodology and technologies change continuously


10 Analysis and

Mission Planning

Need more careful and precise analysis before going to the field to reduce fallback to traditional "ask and follow the locals" method

The 3-D analysis is particularly important for access planning and elimination of stream and other artifacts

Better distinguish between Evergreen and Deciduous Forest for analysis to reduce false positives from leaf fall

Current forest cover mapping not sufficient for separating Evergreen and Deciduous - use of VHR imagery as QGIS Plugin/Planet Explorer to review previous dry seasons better way for determination

Delta-rNBR values between 0.05 and 0.1 appear to correspond to logging while higher values are mostly upland clearing or roads/infrastructure and lower values noise

Remains role for MangoMap in future as provincial staff not likely to come to Vientiane for all training to save time and costs and to provide tool for use for non-GIS staff

Individual Delta-rNBR Sentinel-2 pixels are important so should be investigated

Fire damage can be identified with combination of FIRMS GIS and Sentiel-2 imagery with 12-8-4 band combination (SWIR-NIR-Red)

Staff are confident to use the DEM and satellite imagery for direction in the field

Preparation of Delta-rNBR imagery for fieldwork should include lower values than 0.05 as subtle colours to allow users to understand what they indicate better

11 Components 1, 2 and 3 Process Augmentation

Methodology is significantly more intense but now focuses more on artifacts and ensuring staff can get to the sites safely and easily

Staff should begin preparation of GCP Field Survey Forms during initial analysis to ensure proper selection of field survey points and documentation

12 Fieldwork

Using local guides helpful for getting to sites safely but not infallible and can be involved in logging

Use local guides but rely more on analysis and Delta-rNBR to follow scientific approach - artifacts are important data points too


Use motorcycles and other vehicles to go as far as possible into the forest to save time and energy and enable access of most important areas


Need to gather more data and understanding of more remote areas to better understand what is happening there, although more expensive and difficult to get


Previous maps and GIS data useful but not good enough for guiding fieldwork, use VHR imagery instead

Split large groups into smaller teams to increase coverage and data collected

Logging often on mid-slopes in Evergreen forest, not on steep slopes, hilltops or adjacent to streams

Staff need to do post-fieldwork statistical analysis of accuracy and identify causes for errors to improve methodology and reduce lost time in fieldwork

Need to assess context in analysis work to separate logging from opium fields, land slips and slides, natural tree fall or storm/fire damage

Compare RapidEye and PlanetScope imagery from wet and dry seasons in Planet Explorer to eliminate banana, bamboo and other seasonal change then confirm with Bing/Google/Yandex VHR imagery from QGIS plugins

If logging is far from village, then degradation not done by villagers or is not logging, but could be companies or other larger organizations - would be seen by larger degradation area and tracks/roads

Focus on mid-slope Evergreen forest as primary target during mission planning then collect valley targets along the way as these are usual access corridors

Safety will become increasingly important as risks increase from malaria, wild animals, accidental falls, car accidents, armed hunters/loggers, posonous plants, heat stroke and dehydration

Special equipment needed to help access and traction during wet season and smaller rain events in the dry season for vehicles and people

Safety will become increasingly important as risks increase from malaria, wild animals, accidental falls, car accidents, armed hunters/loggers, posonous plants, heat stroke and dehydration


13

Central-Provincial

OLDM Team Cooperation

Initial plan to use Provincial staff solely for Components 4 and 5 changed as capacity exists for full OLDM Cycle and for Provincial OLDM Teams

Build Provincial capacity for Components 1 through 3 as well and aim for Technicians/Team Leaders and Trainers at Province

14 OLDM

Applications

Working with three projects enabled deeper understanding of different conditions and monitoring requirements so contributed to development of several OLDM applications

Continue to develop solutions required by the projects using the OLDM Components and Tools to continuously develop and improve the methodology


15 OLDM Funding This is a Phase 2/3 Issue so was not included within the Phase 1 Conclusions and Recommendations.

16 OLDM System Administration

The first System Administrator/Assistant System Administrator training occurred in Phase 1 but it wasn't separated as an issue at that time.

17 OLDM Costs This is a Phase 2/3 Issue so was not included within the Phase 1 Conclusions and Recommendations.

18 OLDM Field Transport



19

Forest and Land Use Planning

(FLUP) Monitoring

Tool


20

Training Roster Development

and Management


21 Delta-rNBR

Research and Development

Individual Delta-rNBR Sentinel-2 pixels are important so should be investigated;

These pixels are very common, so a better understanding of values and what they represent and additional indicators to separate logging from natural treefall and other causes is important;

Preparation of Delta-rNBR imagery for fieldwork should include lower values than 0.05 as subtle colours to allow users to understand what they indicate better.

OLDM Team members appreciate this extra data and it may provide

additional information useful for understanding where people are moving through the forest that is useful for understanding forest condition and wildlife hunting.

Delta-rNBR values between 0.05 and 0.1 appear to correspond to logging while higher values are mostly upland clearing or roads/infrastructure and lower values noise.

22 MangoMap

Web-Based GIS Software

MangoMap not used in Phase 1 since Provincial OLDM teams came to Vientiane for training

23 OLDM Cycle

Training This is a Phase 2/3 Issue so was not included within the Phase 1 Conclusions and Recommendations.


24 GCP Field

Survey Data Forms


25 Non-OLDM

Cycle Training and Support

Forestry is male-dominated but female participation in OLDM can and should increase to bring more perspective and diversity to bear


Provide training on encouraging positive social behaviour and maintaining good health despite risky work environment



26 OLDM

Documentation and Reporting

Documentation and Reporting were topics in Phase 1 but not a separate issue. With the OLDM Initiative moving forward, standardizing and improving

documentation and reporting needs to happen for Phases 2 and beyond.

ບດສະຫ ບຫຍ

ແນວຄດລເລ ມຂອງ ການຕດຕາມກວດກາ ການຂດຄນໄມ ແລະ ການຊດໂຊມຂອງປາໄມ (OLDM) ໄດກາຍເປນ

ຄວາມພະຍາຍາມ ທ ບ ເປນປກກະຕ ທ ໄດລເລ ມ ໂດຍ 3 ໂຄງການທ ແຕກຕາງກນ ທາງດານຄວາມຕອງການ ໃນ

ການຕດຕາມກວດກາປາໄມ ທ ໄດສາງ ແລະ ດ າເນ ນໂດຍ ບ ລສດ ພາກເອກະຊນ ທ ລງທະບຽນໃນ ສປປ ລາວ (ບ ລສດ ອາຣນາ ເຕກໂນໂລຊ ຈ າກດ) ແລະ ພອມດວຍກບການຮວມມ ແລະ ການສະໜບສະໜນ ຈາກ ສາມ

ໂຄງການ ຜໃຫທນທ ແຕກຕາງກນ ທ ໄດເຮດວຽກກບ ກມ ປາໄມ (ກປມ) ແລະ ກມກວດກາປາໄມ (ກກປມ) –

ທະນາຄານພດທະນາອາຊ (ADB) ໂຄງການເຂດເຊອມຕ ການອະນລກ ຊ ວະນາໆພນ (BCC), ການອະນລກຊ ວະ

ນາໆພນ ແລະ ປາໄມ ປະສມປະສານ ຂອງ KfW ແລະ ໂຄງການປາໄມ (ICBF) ແລະ ໂຄງການ ການປອງກນ ແລະ

ການນ າໃຊ ລະບບນເວດ ແລະ ຊ ວະນາໆພນ ແບບຍນຍງ (ProFEB) ຂອງອງການ GIZ. ແນວຄດລເລ ມ

OLDM ສະໜບສະໜນ ການສາງ ແລະ ຄມຄອງ ຂອງລະບບ OLDM, ເປນ 5-ອງປະກອບ ການນ າໃຊຂ ມນພາບ

ຖາຍດາວທຽມປະສານ (RS) ທ ປະສມ ຈາກດາວທຽມ ທ ນ າໃຊ ຊອບແວ ລະບບຂ ມນພມສນຖານ (GIS) ແລະ

ບາງແອບ ຂອງມຖ ແລະ ອນເຕ ເນດ. ອນນ ສາມາດ ກ ານດ ເວລາທ ແທຈງທ ໄກຄຽງ (NRT) ຂອງການປຽນແປງ

ຂອງປາໄມ ແລະ ສະໜບສະໜນ ທ ມງານ OLDM ຂອງ ກປມ/ກກປມ ແລະ ພະນກງານຂນແຂວງ ເພອເຂາເຖ ງ,

ກວດກາ ແລະ ສະກດກນ ການຂດຄນໄມ ທ ຜດກດໝາຍ ແລະ ຖກຕອງຕາມກດໝາຍ ໃນພາກສະໜາມ.

ແນວຄວາມຄດລເລ ມ ຂອງການຕດຕາມກວດກາ ການຂດຄນໄມ ແລະ ການຊດໂຊມຂອງປາໄມ ແມນໄດ ສ າເລດລງ ໃນໄລຍະທ 1 (ການຝກອບຮມໃນເບອງຕນ ແລະ ການທດລອງ) ໃນເດອນພດສະພາ 2019 ແລະ ໄລຍະທ 2

(ການທດລອງແບບຄບຊດ) ໃນເດອນຕລາ 2020. ການເລ ມນ ແມນໄດສ າເລດ ໄປເຄງໜງ ຜານ ໄລຍະທ 3

(ການຜນຂະຫຍາຍ ການທດລອງ) ເຊງຈະໄດດ າເນ ນ ໃນຕນເດອນ ຕລາ 2021. ສງທ ໄດສ າເລດ ໃນໄລຍະ 3 ປ

ທ າອດລວມມ ດງລມນ :

• ໄດສາງ ຂອບເຂດ ແລະ ວທການໂດຍທ ວໄປຂອງ OLDM ທຄ ບຊດ ສ ມທ ບກບ ການນ າໃຊ

ການຕດຕາມກວດກາ ສ າລບ ຈດປະສ ງທແຕກຕາງກນ ລວມທງ ການຈດຕງປະຕບດກ ດໝາຍ,

REDD+, ການຄມຄອງປາສະຫງວນ, ລະບ ບຄ າປະກນໄມທຖກຕອງຕາມກ ດໝາຍ (TLAS),

ການລາດຕາເວນປາໄມ, ການພດທະນາພນຖານໂຄງລາງ ແລະ ການວາງແຜນ ປາໄມ ແລະ

ການນ າໃຊທດນ (FLUP);

• ວທ ການຂອງ OLDM ແມນໄດສະແດງໃຫເຫນວາ ສາມາດກ ານດ ການຂດຄນໄມແຕລະຕນ ໄດເປນ

ຢາງດ ແລະ ສາມາດຈບ ແລະ ລງໂທດ ຜຂດຄນໄມທ ຜດກດໝາຍ ແລະ ຍດໄມທອນ/ໄມແປນທ ຕດ

ເພອລງທະບຽນເປນຊບສນຂອງລດ ແລະ ປະມນໄມ ເປນຄງສດທາຍ;

• ໄດສາງ ຊດຄມ ແລະ ວ ດ ໂອ ເປນພາສາລາວ - ແລະ ພາສາ ອງກດ ເພອເປນທດໃຫແກການຮ າ ຮຽນ ຢ

ນອກ ວາລະການຝກອກຮມ ແລະ ລາຍຊ ຝກອບຮມ ແລະ ໜວຍງານຫ ກ OLDM RS/GIS ແມນ

ກ າລງເຮດວຽກຮວມກບ ກມກວດກາປາໄມ (ກກປມ) ລວມທງ ການມ ສວນຮວມ ຈາກພະແນກຄມຄອງ

ປາສະຫງວນ (DPAM) ທ ຂນກບ ກມປາໄມ, ແລະ ໄດແຕງຕງ ພະນກງານ ໃນ 6 ແຂວງເຂາຮວມ ຈາກ

ພາກເໜອ, ພາກກາງ ແລະ ພາກໄຕ ຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ (ແຂວງບ ແກວ, ຫ ວງນ າທາ, ຄ າມວນ, ຈ າປາສກ,

ເຊກອງ ແລະ ອດຕະປ) ເຊງ ສາມາດ ແຕງຕງເປນ ໜວຍງານ OLDM RS / GIS ໂດຍບາງເອ ນ ໃນ

ບນດາແຂວງເຫ ານນ;

• ທ ມງານບາງເອ ນຮວມ ໃນການທດລອງ OLDM ຂອງ ສນກາງ ແລະ ແຂວງ ໄດຖກສາງຕງຂນ ຈາກ

ພະນກງານ ໜວຍງານບາງເອ ນ OLDM RS/GIS ຈາກສນກາງ, ຈາກກອງກວດກາປາໄມແຂວງ

(POFI), ແລະ ບນດາໜວຍງານ ຈາກ ພະແນກກະສກ າ ແລະ ປາໄມແຂວງ (PAFO) ລວມທງ ໜວຍ

ງານ ປາປອງກນປາສະຫງວນ (NPA); ພະນກງານທ ມງານຮວມ OLDM ໃນພາກສະໜາມ ແລະ

ພະນກງານວຊາການ ຈາກໜວຍງານກວດກາປາໄມເມອງ ແລະ ໜວຍງານ ປອງກນປາສະຫງວນ ພອມກບສະມາຊກຄະນະໄມບານ, ທະຫານ, ກອງຫ ອນບານ ແລະ ທ ມງານລາດຕະເວນປາໄມຂອງບານ;

• ໄດມ ການບນທກ ຈດພບເຫນ ຫ າຍພນສະຖານທ ທ ມ ການວາງກບດກແຫວສດປາ ແລະ ການລາສດປາ ແລະ ການຕດໄມ ໂດຍທ ມງານລາດຕະເວນ ພາກສະໜາມ ຂອງບານ ທ ໄດເຮດວຽກຮວມກບໂຄງການ ADB BCC ທ ນ າໃຊເຄອງມ ODK ທ ເປນແອບ ສ າລບການເກບກ າຂ ມນ ທ ພດທະນາຂນ ເພອເປນ

ສວນໜງໃຫແກວຽກງານ OLDM, ສວນ ທ ມງານ OLDM ແມນໄດເກບກ າຂ ມນ ຫ າຍຮອຍຈດ ຂອງ

ຕນໄມທ ຖກຕດ. • ເຄອງມ ການຕດຕາມກວດກາປາໄມ ແລະ ການວາງແຜນນ າໃຊທ ດນ (FLUP) ແບບອອນລາຍ ໄດສາງ

ຂນ, ທດລອງ ແລະ ນ າໃຊເພອປະເມ ນ ການທດລອງ ໃນເບອງຕນ ເພອຊວຍ ວຽກງານ ການປະເມ ນ ແລະ

ຕດຕາມກວດກາ ຂອງໂຄງການ ADB BCC, GIZ Hin Nam No NPA, ແລະ KfW ICBF FLUP

ແລະ ໄດເປດກວາງ ໃຫຂະແໜງ ການອນໆ ທ ກຽວຂອງ ເພອທດລອງ ແລະ ການປະກອບຄ າເຫນ;

• ໃນວນທ 1 ກນຍາ 2020, ຫວໜາ ກມກວດກາປາໄມ (ກກປມ) ແລະ ກມປາໄມ (ກປມ) ໄດເຫນດ

ຮວມກນວາ ລະບບ OLDM ເປນລະບບ ທ ມ ຄວາມສ າຄນ ແລະ ເປນປະໂຫຍດ ທ ສາມາດສະໜອງຄວາມ

ຮ ທາງດານວຊາການ ໃຫແກຄວາມຕອງການ ໃນການຕດຕາມກວດກາປາໄມ ແລະ ການຄມຄອງທ ດນ ຢພາຍໃນ ສປປ ລາວ ແລະ ຍງຊວຍ ສະໜບສະໜນ ວຽກງານການຕດຕາມກວດກາ ຂອງບນດາຂະ ແໜງການປາໄມ ຂອງລດຖະບານລາວ.

• ໃນຊວງເວລາ ເຄງທ າອດ ຂອງໄລຍະ 3 ແມນໄດສບຕ ມ ຄວາມຄບໜາ ຈາກສອງໄລຍະ ກອນໜານ ໂດຍ

ສະເພາະແມນໃນດານ:

- ສະມາຊກຂອງທ ມງານ OLDM ແມນຮບຜດຊອບ ໃນການຈດຕງປະຕບດ ວງຈອນການ

ດ າເນ ນງານ ຂອງ OLDM ລວມທງ ການກ ານດ ພນທ ການລງສ າຫ ວດ ຢພາກສະໜາມ ເພອ

ລງກວດກາ ໃນຊວງທ ຈດຝກອບຮມ ແລະ ຢພາກສະໜາມ ແລະ ດ າເນ ນການລງກວດກາພາກສະໜາມ ໂດຍບ ມ ຊຽວຊານ ຕາງປະເທດ, ເຊງ ຊຽວຊານລາວ ເປນຕວຫ ກ ໃນການຈດຝກອບຮມ ກຽວກບ ວງຈອນການດ າເນ ນງານ ຂອງ OLDM;

- ທງ ທ ມງານ OLDM ແລະ ໜວຍງານ FLUP ຢໃນບນດາແຂວງ ໄດຮບ ເຄອງມ ການຕດຕາມ

ກວດກາ ການວາງແຜນການນ າໃຊທ ດນ ແລະ ປາໄມ (FLUP) ແລະ ໄດຮບ ການທດລອງການ

ຝກອບຮມ ໃນໄລຍະສນ ໃຫແຕລະໜວຍງານ OLDM ຂອງບນດາແຂວງ;

- ລະບບ OLDM ສບຕ ຊວຍໃຫທ ມງານ ເພອສາມາດກ ານດ ໃນພນທ ປາຊດໂຊມ ແລະ ການຂດ

ຄນໄມ ເຊງໄດ ເກບ ແລະ ຮກສາຂ ມນ ຫ ງງຈາກ ໄດສ າເລດການລງກວດກາ ແລະ ໄດເພ ມຄວາມໝນໃຈ, ທກສະ ຕ ລະບບ OLDM ຂອງທ ມງານ;

- ໃນໄລຍະທາຍລະດແລງ, ພະນກງານ ທະຫານໄດເຂາຮວມ ການຝກອບຮມ OLDM ໃນຂນ

ແຂວງ, ວຽກງານ ການສ າຫ ວດ ໃນລງພາກສະໜາມ ຢແຂວງບ ແກວ ແລະ ໄດສະແດງຄວາມສນໃຈ ທ ໃນການເຂາຮວມ ວຽກງານ OLDM ທ ຄບຊດ ໃນຄງຕ ໄປ.

• ເຖງຢາງໃດກ ຕາມ ການລເລ ມວຽກງານ OLDM ແບບບາງເອ ນ ແມນ ກ າລງກ ໃຫມ ບນຫາ ທາງດານ

ການເງນ, ການບ ລຫານ, ບກຄະລາກອນ ແລະ ດານການຈດການອນໆ:

- ສາມໂຄງການ ທ ເຄ ຍສະໜບສະໜນ ແມນມ ງບປະມານທ ຈ າກດ ແລະ ຂາດສະພາບຄອງ ເພອເຮດໃຫສະມາຊກທ ມງານ OLDM ຂອງແຂວງ ສາມາດເຂາຮວມໃນການຝກອບຮມ ແລະ ວຽກ

ພາກສະໜາມ;

- ການບ ລຫານຈດການໂຄງການ ຍງມ ຄວາມຫຍງຍາກ ໃນສາມໂຄງການ ທ ແຕກຕາງກນ ທາງດານຕາຕະລາງເວລາ, ສນຍາ, ບນດາຂນຕອນໃນການດ າເນ ນງານ, ຄວາມຕອງການ ໃນການ

ລາຍງານ, ກດລະບຽບ ແລະ ຈດປະສງ;

- ພະນກງານ ກກປມ ສວນຫ າຍແມນບ ຫວາງ ເມອມ ຄວາມຕອງການ ຝກອບຮມ ຫ ລງພາກສະໜາມ, ໂດຍສະເພາະແມນພະນກງານທ ມ ທກສະທ ດ ໃນປດຈບນ ແມນໄດຮຽກຮອງໃຫ ເຂາ

ຮວມ ໃນວຽກງານກວດກາໃຫລດຖະບານ ແລະ ກວດກາ ບນດາກດຈະກ າທ ຜດກດໝາຍ;

- ສະມາຊກທ ມງານ OLDM ຫ າຍຄນ ແມນຍງເປນ “ອາສາສະໝກ” ທ ຍງບ ທນເຂາເປນ

ພະນກງານລດ - ພະນກງານ DoFI / POFI / DFIU ທ ມ ສະຖານະພາບດງກາວ ແມນບ ມ ຂອບ

ເຂດສດ ໃນການບງຄບໃຊກດໝາຍ ແລະ ມ ຄວາມຕອງການ ໃນການແຕງຕງພະນກງານ ໃຫຖກຕາມລະບຽບການ.

- ການຈດແຈງ ທາງດານການຂນສງ ຂອງທ ມງານ OLDM ຂນສນກາງ ຫ ການຂ ອະນຍາດ ແມນ

ຍງບ ສາມາດເຮດໃຫ ທ ມງານ OLDM ເຂາໄປໃນເຂດປາໄມໄດ ຢບອນທ ໄດວາງແຜນ ກວດກາ

ແລະ ຍງມ ຂ ຈ າກດ ໃນການເກບກ າຂ ມນ ແລະ ປະສບການຕວຈ ງ;

- ທ ມງານ OLDM ບ ສາມາດເຂາເຖງພນທ ຂດຄນໄມ ໃນເຂດປາສະຫງວນແຫງຊາດ, ໂຄງການ

ພນຖານໂຄງລາງ ແລະ ເຂດຊາຍແດນ;

- ການຝກອບຮມ OLDM ແກພະນກງານ ໃຫຢໃນລະດບ ວຊາການ ໂດຍທວໄປແລວ ແມນໃຊ

ເວລາ 2 ປ ແລະ ພອມນນຍງ ມ ການຊບປຽນພະນກງານ ແລະ ແຕງຕງພະນກງານໃຫມ ເຊງການ

ຊອກຫາພະນກງານ ໃໝ ທ ມ ຄວາມຮທ ເໝາະສມ ດານ OLDM ແມນມ ຄວາມຫຍງຍາກ.

ບນດາສງທາທາຍຫ າຍຢາງນ ຈະເປນບນຫາ ໃນໄລຍະຍາວ ທ ຕອງໄດຮບການແກໄຂ ໃນໄລຍະທ ມ ການປບປງການຈດຕງ, ປະສບການ ທ ໄດຮບ ໃນໄລຍະການທດລອງ ແມນມ ຄວາມສ າຄນ ທ ຈະໃຫປະສບການ ແລະ ຄວາມ

ເຂາໃຈ ກຽວກບ ສງທາທາຍແມນຫຍງ ແລະ ຫ າຍໆດານທ ແຕກຕາງກນ ທ ຕອງໄດພຈາລະນາ. ສງສ າຄນ ໃນການ

ພຈາລະນາ ແມນ ສາມໂຄງການ ທ ສະໜບສະໜນ ວຽກງານ OLDM ໃນປດຈບນ ເຊງຈະໄດສນສດລງໃນ ທາຍ

ປ 2021 ນ , ແລະ ສະຖານະ ທາງດານການເງນ ຂອງສາມໂຄງການນ ໃນວຽກງານຝກອບຮມ ແລະ ລງກວດກາໃນ

ພາກສະໜາມ ແມນມ ຈ າກດ. ສງເຫ ນ ແມນມ ຂ ຈ າກດ ໃນການດ າເນ ນ ບນດາກດຈະກ າ ທ ໄດວາງແຜນ ສ າລບ ໄລຍະສດທາຍ ຂອງ OLDM ໄລຍະ 3 ແລະ ສມທບກບ ການລະບາດຂອງ ພະຍາດ COVID-19 ແລະ ການ

ລອກດາວ ທ ມ ຄວາມຈ າເປນ ຕອງມ ການປບປຽນ ແຜນວຽກ.

ການສະໜບສະໜນໄລຍະຍາວ ຂອງ KfW ສ າລບ ວຽກງານ OLDM ໄດຮບການຢນຢນ ແລະ ໄດວາງແຜນ ຢ

ພາຍໃຕ ແຜນງານ ການຈດຕງປະຕບດກດໝາຍປາໄມ, ການຄມຄອງ ແລະ ການຄາໄມ (FLEGT) ເຊງຄາດວາ

ຈະເລ ມຕນໃນໄຕມາດທ 3 ຫລ 4 ໄຕມາດຂອງປ 2021. ເນອງຈາກວາ ອາດຈະມ ຄວາມຊກຊາ ລະຫວາງການ

ເລ ມຕນ ການສະໜບສະໜນ ຂອງ KfW ທ ຈະສາມາດນ າໃຊງບປະມານໄດ, ອນນ ສາມາດເປນ ຊອງຫວາງ ທາງ

ດານ ຊບພະຍາກອນທ ຕອງການ ເພອສບຕ ວຽກງານ OLDM ໃນໄລຍະ 3 ໃນເດອນຕລາ 2021. ບນຫາເຫ ານ

ແມນຍງມ ຄວາມເປນຮວງ ເນອງຈາກ ໄລຍະການຕດຕາມກວດກາທ ສ າຄນທ ສດ ແມນຢໃນທາຍລະດແລງ ໃນລະຫວາງ ເດອນ ມງກອນ ແລະ ເດອນ ເມສາ 2022 ເຊງໃນໄລຍະນ ແມນບ ມ ທນ ຫ ບ ມ ໂຄງການ ທ ຈະເຮດ

ວຽກຮວມກນ. ມ ຄວາມຕອງການ ຢາງຮ ບດວນ ໃນການຊອກຫາທນ ແລະ ໂຄງການໃໝ ເພອໃຫສາມາດຈດຕງປະຕບດໄລຍະ 4 ໃນ ໄຕມາດ 1 ຂອງປ 2022.

ພອມກນນ , ວຽກງານ ສ າລບ ໃນໄລຍະ 3 ຈະໄດສມໃສ ການລວບລວມເອກະສານ, ໂດຍສະເພາະແມນ ສະມາຊກ ທ ມງານ

OLDM ຈະໄດສ າເລດ ແບບຟອມການສ າຫ ວດໃນພາກສະໜາມ GCP ເທາທ ຈະເປນໄດ ສະນນ ການຝກອບຮມ

Roster ສາມາດດ າເນ ນໄດເປນຢາງດ ໃນລະດແລງ ໃນປຕ ໄປ ແລະ ອອກໃບຢງຢນໃຫ. ພອມກນນ , ການຄນຄວາ ກຽວ

ກບ ເຄອງມດານວຊາການຫ າສດ, ຊດຂ ມນ ແລະ ເຕກນກ ຈະໄດກ ານດ ເພອປບປງ ວທ ການເຮດວຽກ ໂດຍສະເພາະແມນ

Radar ໃໝ ສ າລບ ຂນຕອນ ການຊອກຄນປາຊດໂຊມ (RADD) ຂອງສນຄນຄວາຮວມ (JRC), ທ ເປນຜສາງ

Delta-rNBR. ຈດປະສງ ຂອງວຽກງານທ ຍງເຫ ອ ໃນໄລຍະ 3 ແລະ ວຽກງານເບອງຕນ ຂອງໄລຍະ 4 ຈນຮອດ ທາຍປ

2021 ລວມມ :

• ສບຕ ສາງຄວາມອາດສາມາດ ແລະ ການຮວມມ ລະຫວາງ ທ ມງານ OLDM ແບບບາງເອ ນ ຂອງສນກາງ ແລະ

ແຂວງ ເພອສາງ ສາຍສ າພນ ທ ໄກສດກບ ທະຫານ, ເລ ມຕນໃນລະດບແຂວງ;

• ເຂາຮວມ ໃນຄະນະຮບຜດຊອບດານວຊາການ ໃນລະບບ ການສ າຫ ວດປາໄມ ທວປະເທດ (NFMS) ແລະ ຄະນະ

ຮບຜດຊອບດານວຊາການ ອນໆ ເພອປະສານງານກບ ແລະ ສງເສ ມ ລະບບ OLDM ເພອຊອກຫາ ບນດາ

ໂຄງການຄຮວມມໃໝ;

• ຜນຂະຫຍາຍ ການນ າໃຊ ແອບມຖ ໃນພນທ ຂອງໂຄງການ ໂດຍ ການອອກແບບໃໝ ODK Collect App ສ າ

ລບ ການເກບຂ ມນ ໃນພາກສະໜາມ ແລະ ການກະກຽມ ຄມ ແລະ ວ ດ ໂອ “ການຝກອບຮມ ໃຫຄຝກ” ເພອ

ຊວຍ ພະນກງານແຂວງ ໃນການຜນຂະຫຍາຍ ການນ າໃຊ ແອບ ໃນຂນເມອງ ແລະ ຂນບານ;

• ສມໃສ ການຍກສງ ການຊວຍເຫ ອ ດານການວາງແຜນປາໄມ ແລະ ການນ າໃຊທ ດນ (FLUP) ແລະ ວງຈອນ

FLUP OLDM ທ ສນ ເພອ ຝກອບຮມ ແລະ ຜນຂະຫຍາຍ ເຄອງມການຕດຕາມກວດກາ FLUP ໃນບນດາ

ແຂວງ ເພອປບປງ ເຄອງມ ໂດຍອ ງໃສຄ າເຫນທ ໄດຮບ;

• ໄດຈດ ການຝກອບຮມ ລະບບການຄມຄອງ ແລະ ຈດກອງປະຊມ ປບປງ OLDM ພາຍໃນ ເພອສາງທ ມງານເຮດ

ວຽກ ແລະ ກ ານດ ບນຫາທ ສ າຄນ ທ ຕອງການໃນການປບປງ ຫ ປຽນແປງ ຢພາຍໃນທ ມງານ OLDM ແລະ ຄ າ

ເຫນທ ໄດຮບຈາກ ການນ າ ຂອງ ກກປມ ແລະ ກປມ;

• ກະກຽມ ໂຄງຮາງ/ເອກະສານແນວຄວາມຄດ ໃຫແກການນ າ ກກປມ ກຽວກບ ການສາງ ແລະ ການຄມຄອງ

ຊບພະຍາກອນມະນດ (HRD/HRM) ແລະ ການຮວມມກບ ທະຫານ;

• ອບເດດ ແລະ ປບປງ ອງປະກອບ OLDM 1-3 ໃນປດຈບນ ແລະ 5 ຄມ ແລະ ວ ດ ໂອ ໃນເມອມ ຄວາມຕອງການ

ແລະ ສາງຄມ ສ າລບ ອງປະກອບ 4 ສ າລບ ການນ າໃຊ MangoMap ສ າລບ ການວາງແຜນ ການເຮດວຽກໃນ

ພາກສະໜາມ ແລະ ການລາຍງານ;

• ມ ສະມາຊກ ທ ມງານ ອາວໂສ OLDM ສອງທານ ໃນຂນສນກາງ ທ ເຮດວຽກ ຝກອບຮມ ກຽວກບ ວງຈອນ

OLDM ໃນລະດຝນ ແລະ ລະດແລງ ທ ຕອງໄດດ າເນ ນ ໃນປ 2021 – ພະນກງານ OLDM ຂນສນກາງ ແລະ

ຂນແຂວງ ແມນກ າລງເຮດວຽກ ກຽວກບ ການສ າຫ ວດໃນພາກສະໜາມ;

• ຈດປະສງ ຮອດທາຍ ປ 2021 – ພະນກງານ 30 OLDM ຄນ ໃນລະດບ ວຊາການ ຫ ສງກວາ, ຄຝກ 2 ທານ

ຈາກ ກກປມ, 4 ແຂວງ “ໄດຈບການຝກອບຮມ” ຈາກ ແຜນງານ OLDM.

ບດລາຍງານນ ກ ໄດ ຄນຄວາ ເຖ ງ ໂຄງການ OLDM ໄລຍະ 4 ໃນອານາຄດ ເລ ມໃນເດອນ ທນວາ 2021, ແລະ ຫ ງ

ຈາກປ 2021. ບາງຄ າແນະນ າ ຂອງໄລຍະນ ລວມມ :

• ມອບຮບ ລະບບການຄມຄອງ OLDM ໃຫ ກກປມ ຈະໄດມອບຮບ ໃນເມອໄດສາງຕງ ຂ ກ ານດດານການຄມ

ຄອງ, ການຈດຕງ ແລະ ຂ ກ ານດອນໆ;

• ການປະສານງານ ກບຂນເທ ງ, ບນດາກະຊວງອນໆ, ບນດາກມ, ຜສ າປະທານ ແລະ ທະຫານ ແມນມ ຄວາມຕອງການ ເພອເຂາເຖ ງພນທ ບອນທ ໄດດ າເນ ນການຂດຄນໄມ ລວງໜາ ກອນການລງກວດກາໃນພາກສະໜາມ – ສງເຫ າໜ ແມນຢ ເໜອຂອບເຂດ ຂອງແນວຄດລເລ ມຂອງ OLDM ແຕ ສາມາດ ສະໜບສະໜນ ຜານການ

ປະສານງານກບ ໂຄງການ GIZ ແລະ ໂຄງການ KfW FLEGT ແລະ TWG-NFMS;

• ໃນທ ສດ ໜວຍງານ OLDM ຂນສນກາງ ຈະສາມາດຊວຍ ທ ມງານ OLDM ຂນແຂວງ ໂດຍ ແຕງຕງ

ພະນກງານ 1-2 ຄນ ເພອສສານ, ປະສານງານ, ແລະ ຊວຍເຫ ອ ແຕລະແຂວງ ລວມທງການເຮດວຽກໃນພາກສະ

ໜາມກບເຂາເຈາ.

Date post:	15-Oct-2021
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