"Ministry grants Mondulkiri communities right to manage natural resources", 22 December 2019

Twelve of 19 representatives from protected areas in the Phnom Prich, Srepok and Keo Seima wildlife sanctuaries in Mondulkiri province – consisting of nearly 13,000 people – signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment on the sustainable management of natural resources.

The agreement was inked …, in the presence of more than 500 officials from the ministry, its provincial department, local authorities and partner organisations.

Ministry secretary of state Mom Thany said at the signing that the agreement recognised 12 communities covering 44,139ha of forestland. These communities have 12,804 residents, of which 46 per cent are women and girls.

Community members will be entitled to legally own and manage their communities’ natural resources sustainably…

Mondulkiri provincial governor Chhim Kan said the province had abundant forest resources and rich biodiversity. He said it is mainly animals in wildlife sanctuaries, such as bantengs, leopards, Asian elephants, gaurs, fallow deer, peacocks and giant conches, that fall prey to poachers.

Kan said communities could organise and implement natural resource management initiatives that leverage forest products and ecotourism. Community members could also collaborate with law enforcement officials in patrolling the forests and stopping offenders.

“We must join hands to protect valuable natural resources. The local communities are the heart of this collaboration,” he said…

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Cambodia country director Seng Teak said the organisation had supported and collaborated with ministry officials and partner organisations to help fortify natural protected areas…