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National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Pan ___________________________________________________
Kingdom of Cambodia
Nation
Religion King
National Biodiversity Strategy
and Action Plan
"To Use, Protect And Manage Biodiversity
For Sustainable Development
In Cambodia"
Royal Government of Cambodia
Ministry of Environment
April 2002
FAO/UNDP/GEF
Project CMB/98/G33
Acronyms
1.CARDI : Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
2.CBD : Convention on Biological Diversity
3.CBEA : Cambodia Biodiversity Enabling Activity
4.CITES : Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
5.CSD : Council Social Development
6.IUCN : The World Conservation Union
7.EEZ : Exclusive Economic Zone
8.EIA : Environmental Impact Assessment
9.EMS : Environmental Management System
10.FCMU : Forest Crime Monitoring Unit
11.GIS : Geographic Information System
12.GPS : Global Positioning System
13.IMSCEE : Inter-Ministry Steering Committee on Environment Education
14.IRRI : International Rice Research Institute
15.MAFF : Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries
16.MARPOL : International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
17.MCFA : Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
18.MCRA : Ministry of Cults and Religious Affairs
19.MEF : Ministry of Economy and Finance
20.MIME : Ministry of Industry Mine and Energy
21.MLMUPC : Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction
22.MOC : Ministry of Commerce
23.MOE : Ministry of Environment
24.MOEYS : Ministry of Education Youth and Sports
25.MOH : Ministry of Health
26.MOI : Ministry of Interior
27.MOP : Ministry of Planning
28.MOT : Ministry of Tourism
29.MOWRM : Ministry of Water Resource and Metrology
30.MPWT : Ministry of Public Works and Transport
31.MRD : Ministry of Rural Development
32.MWAV : Ministry of Women Affairs and Veteran
33.NBSAP : National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
34.NCDM : National Committee Disaster Management
35.PA : Protected Area
36.RUPP : Royal University of Phnom Penh
37.UNCED : United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development
KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA
National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan
Nature protection in Cambodia has been a constant concern of both the King and Government always realizing the fragile nature of ecosystems owing to the socio-economic, physiogeographic and climatic conditions of the country. In modern times, the Kingdom's commitment to environmental protection has been demonstrated by a number of significant legal measures to prevent pollution, habitat damage and to protect wildlife, including the creation of a Environmental Secretariat in 1993, the enactment, in 1996, of the "Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management" creating a full fledged Ministry of Environment and the adoption of a National Environmental Action Plan in 1998. The National Assembly of the Government of Cambodia has also ratified several international conventions related to the environment including: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the World Heritage Convention, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, etc.
In view of its commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Government of Cambodia is taking serious steps for implementing conservation programs and for applying concepts of awareness raising for the sound use and conservation of biodiversity resources. Soon after the CBD was ratified, the Ministry of Environment was designated as the key agency responsible for the development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to determine the measures required to meet the obligations of the Convention, and to enhance co-ordination of national efforts aimed at the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources.
The full extent of Cambodia’s biodiversity is not known yet, but Cambodia is expected to have a rich biodiversity of species and may be considered a biodiversity ‘hotspot ’ (an area very rich in biodiversity) due to its location. Compared with neighboring countries Cambodia has a low population density and relatively large natural areas that are still intact. Natural resources are the mainstay of Cambodia’s economy; therefore it is vital that their sustainable management is given a high priority.
The primary responsibility for conserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable use of biological resources is shared among the Ministry of Environment and other sectoral departments such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology. As these and most other ministries have an integral role to play in the processes needed to implement the articles of the CBD, an intergovernmental National Biodiversity Steering Committee with representation from each of these and other relevant departments was therefore established to develop the Cambodian National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Experts from relevant projects, the NGO sector and universities also participated to the preparatory workshops and helped to ensure that technical data was up to date.
Provincial and urban government, private property owners, businesses, local and indigenous communities, international conservation organizations, university and research institutions and other groups also play an essential role in conserving biodiversity and sustainably using biological resources. Several of these stakeholders were consulted in the course of the preparation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
The Strategy clearly recognizes that governments cannot act alone to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources. It invites and encourages all Cambodians to take action in its support and recognizes that Cambodia has an important role to play in cooperating with other countries, especially neighbor countries, to implement the Convention.
Conserving biodiversity and sustainably using biological resources are fundamental to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of all Cambodians. These goals are an echo to the teachings and beliefs of Buddhism on the obligation for man to maintain balanced relations with the other elements of creation.
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan recognizes existing constitutional and legislative responsibilities for biodiversity in Cambodia. It also emphasizes the importance of intergovernmental cooperation to create the policy, management and research conditions necessary to advance ecological management. National and provincial governments and sectoral agencies, in cooperation with stakeholders and members of the public, will pursue the implementation of the strategic directions contained in the Strategy in accordance with their policies, plans, priorities, and fiscal capabilities.
Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
Biodiversity supports human societies ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually. Despite its importance, however, ecosystems are being degraded and species and genetic diversity reduced at an alarming rate due to the impact of our growing human population and increasing resource consumption rates. The global decline of biodiversity is now recognized as one of the most serious environmental issues facing humanity.
Recognition of the worldwide impact of the decline of biodiversity inspired the global community to negotiate the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Cambodian delegation participated actively in these negotiations. The Kingdom of Cambodia ratified the Convention in 1995.
The three objectives of the Biodiversity Convention are:
These objectives echo the three poles of sustainable development (ecological integrity, economic sustainability and social equity) and illustrate the nature and breadth of the Convention. As a global instrument, it sets the stage for each nation to assess the adequacy of current efforts to conserve biodiversity and sustainably use biological resources and to determine how gaps will be filled and opportunities realized.
One of the key obligations for parties that have ratified the Convention is to prepare a national strategy. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is a response to this obligation and has been developed as a guide to the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention in Cambodia. All of the strategic directions contained in the Strategy are relevant from a national perspective, but some elements of the Strategy may not be relevant in some areas of the country of for some sectoral agencies.
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan recognizes existing constitutional and legislative responsibilities for biodiversity in Cambodia. It also emphasizes the importance of intergovernmental co-operation to create the policy, management and research conditions necessary to advance sustainable management of natural resources. National and regional governments and sectoral ministries and departments, in cooperation with stakeholders and members of community, will pursue implementation of the directions contained in the Strategy according to their policies, plans, priorities and fiscal capabilities.
Elements of the National Strategy and Action Plan
The National Strategy and Action Plan presents a vision for Cambodia of:
"EQUITABLE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE USE, PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES".
The Strategy provides a framework for action at all levels that will enhance our ability to ensure the productivity, diversity and integrity of our natural systems and, as a result, our ability as a nation to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of all Cambodians. It promotes the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of our biological resources, and describes how we will contribute to international efforts to implement the Convention.
Mission statement:
TO USE, PROTECT AND MANAGE BIODIVERSITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CAMBODIA.
Main strategic goals:
Strategic Objectives:
The strategic objectives listed in each section constitute a reflection of the intentions of the government regarding each sector of activity. They are specific and measurable objectives that will guide the relevant ministries during the implementation phase of the strategy and action plan. Ministries will regularly document and report on the identified indicators attached to each objective.
Priority Actions:
Priority actions adopted by the government can be grouped in three broad categories: actions promoting awareness and capacity building of government staff and local communities for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biological resources; actions promoting the implementation of community-based natural resource management; and actions aimed at clarifying ministerial jurisdictions, reducing responsibility overlap and promoting interministerial coordination and collaboration in a sustainable development perspective.
Proposed mechanisms for implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan include:
Successful implementation of the Strategy will be determined, in large measure, by the degree to which all parts of society adopt its vision and principles and contribute to achieving its goals. Ultimately, the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources will require the support and participation of individual citizens, local communities, urban and local authorities, conservation groups, business and industry, educational and research institutions. The implementation of the actions listed in the Action Plan will be decentralized, de-concentrated and under the responsibility of each participating ministry, agency or non-governmental organization.
To monitor and evaluate the progress through the report, it is necessary to fix target of some available indicators in the plan. The BSAP Actions and indicators matrix (appendix 1) can be used to effectively monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the BSAP through the measurable indicators for the themed actions.
Developing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is the culmination of, sectoral meetings with relevant government departments, combined with two national and three provincial workshops on biodiversity. The workshops highlighted the key issues for biodiversity in Cambodia, which are highlighted in each theme. The sectors have given background information and commented on the relevant themes and specifically given the governments focus in Priority Actions for these themes.
Linkages between National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Themes
The themes presented in the Strategy and Action Plan seeks to highlight a sectoral approach to biodiversity management. As Biodiversity is a cross-sectoral issue there are many areas of overlap throughout the themes, and these should compliment each other rather than lead to duplication. This is the first plan, but it is expected that future revisions will better recognise the crosscutting linkages between all themes.
The National Strategy and Action Plan proposes a series of strategic objectives and priority actions that are presented according to the following themes involving most sectors of society:
Protection of Natural Resources (Protected areas, Endangered species, Ex situ conservation)
Animal Wildlife Resources
Freshwater Fisheries and Aquaculture
Coastal and Marine Resources
Forest and Wild Plant Resources
Agriculture and Animal Production
Energy Resources
Mineral Resources
Industry, Technology and Services (Manufacturing, Biotechnology and Biosafety, Tourism)
Environmental Security
Land Use Planning
Water Resources
Climate Change and Biodiversity
Community Participation
Awareness, Education, Research Coordination and Development
Legislation and Institutional Structure
Quality of Life and Poverty Reduction
PREAMBLE
Biological diversity
refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources including,
inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and
the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity
within species, between species and of ecosystems. As a result of human
activities, biological diversity is being eroded at a rate that far
exceeds natural processes. This accelerating decline in diversity threatens
the ecological, economic, spiritual, recreational and cultural benefits
that we currently derive from the Earth’s living resources.
Acknowledging these threats, the world community successfully negotiated the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity that was opened for signature by world leaders at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. The Kingdom of Cambodia actively participated to the negotiations leading to the Convention, and ratified it in 1995 by National Assembly.
The Convention builds on and echoes the philosophy of such predecessors as Caring for the Earth, A Strategy for Sustainable Living, published in 1991, Our Common Future (the Brundtland Report), published in 1987, and the World Conservation Strategy, published in 1980. All are based on the principle that development must be ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. That is, our efforts to meet human needs must be carried out within the finite resources of the planet.
The objectives of the Convention are:
These objectives echo the three dimensions of sustainable development (ecological integrity, economic sustainability and social equity). The Biodiversity Convention is thus about global sustainable development, which requires the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources. It conveys an understanding of the relationship between human activity and the natural world and the need to sustain living organisms, genetic diversity and the integrity of ecosystems. It will influence, perhaps profoundly, the future of life on Earth. Implementation of the Convention will require a significant shift in the way we use and manage living things. A cooperative, cross-sectoral approach, based on partnerships, must be adopted within and among the nations of the world.
The Kingdom's commitment to environmental protection has been demonstrated by a number of significant legal measures to prevent pollution, habitat damage and to protect wildlife, including the creation of a Environmental Secretariat in 1993, the enactment, in 1996, of the "Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management" creating a full fledged Ministry of Environment and the adoption of a National Environmental Action Plan in 1998. The National Assembly has also ratified several international conventions related to the environment including: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Climate Change Convention, the Ramsar Convention, CITES, the World Heritage Convention and the Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin.
This National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan reflects the national goals of poverty reduction through accelerated economic growth, environmental sustainability and social equity. It constitutes as such a major contribution to the country's development plan. Land, water, pasture, terrestrial and marine ecosystems as well as wildlife and aquatic resources in particular are central to agriculture, fisheries and tourism development. Habitat protection, natural resource conservation and sustainable use options offer significant opportunities for demonstrating that conservation of biodiversity represents a vital investment in future sustainability of Cambodia's economic and social development.
Every ecosystem provides
habitat for plants, animals and microorganisms which we can use or which
perform useful functions. The World Resources Institute call ecosystems
"the productive engines of the planet", providing us with
everything from the water we drink to the food we eat and the fiber
we use for clothing, paper, or wood for construction (WRI 2000).
Table 1 gives examples of the many goods and services provided by
four broad ecosystem categories found in Cambodia.
Table
1. Examples of services & goods provided by ecosystems
Ecosystem | Goods provided | Services provided |
Agroecosystems |
Food crops Additional food items (e.g. rice field fisheries) Fiber crops Crop genetic resources |
Maintain limited watershed functions (infiltration, flow control, partial soil protection) Provide habitat for birds, pollinators, soil organisms important to agriculture Build soil organic matter Bind atmospheric carbon Provide employment |
Forest Ecosystems |
Timber Fuelwood Drinking and irrigation water Fodder Non-timber products (vines, bamboo, leaves, etc.) Food (honey, mushrooms, fruit, and other edible plants; game) Genetic resources |
Remove air pollutants, emit oxygen Cycle nutrients Protect water resources (infiltration, purification, flow control, soil stabilization) Maintain biodiversity Bind atmospheric carbon Moderate weather extremes and impacts Generate soil Provide employment Contribute aesthetic beauty and provide recreation |
Freshwater Ecosystems |
Drinking and irrigation water Fish and other aquatic organisms Hydroelectricity Housing materials Medicines Genetic resources |
Lessen or prevent the impact of flooding Dilute and carry away wastes Cycle nutrients Maintain biodiversity Provide transportation corridor Provide employment Contribute aesthetic beauty and provide recreation |
Coastal Ecosystems |
Fish and shellfish Sea weeds (for food and industrial use) Salt Genetic resources |
Moderate storm impacts (mangroves; barrier islands) Provide wildlife (marine and terrestrial) habitat Maintain biodiversity Dilute and treat wastes Provide harbors and transportation routes Provide employment Contribute aesthetic beauty and provide recreation |
Source:
adapted from WRI 2000. Global Ecosystem Assessment
There are numerous ways
to value biological diversity. While it is not difficult to assign a
value to biological resources that are available on markets, such as
rice, wood, medicines, etc., there are many functions that cannot be
so easily measured in monetary terms. For example, ecosystem services
or social benefits. For many people who rely on the products of ecosystems
for their daily subsistence, it would be difficult to put a monetary
value on all the products they use or benefits they enjoy.
Natural areas provide support systems for commercially valuable natural resources. For example fish spawning areas in flooded forests, mangroves and wetlands. Other habitats act as genetic reservoirs for commercial crops. As many of the species in Cambodia and elsewhere are not even known yet, we can assume that with an increase in knowledge new biological resources to increase human welfare will be discovered. There is a clear relationship between the conservation of biological diversity and the discovery of new biological resources.
Cambodia, a tropical
country found on the peninsula of mainland Southeast Asia adjacent to
the gulf of Thailand with a land area of 181,035 km2. Cambodia
has a coastline of 435 km, and its land border of 2,438 km runs along
Thailand to the west, Vietnam to the east and Laos PDR to the north.
Biogeographically, Cambodia is dominated by the lowlands along the Mekong
River and Tonle Sap (Great Lake), which are the sites of most of the
population and agriculture and three mountainous regions in the Southwest,
North and Northeast, which are less populated and rich in forest resources.
This geography helps
to form an unusual phenomenon whereby in the Rainy season the Mekong
River backs up and actually flows into the Tonle Sap causing the lake
to swell up to 4 times its size. The Tonle Sap Lake provided a wealth
of biological resources. Specifically the seasonal flooding of the Tonle
Sap, supplies suitable conditions for rice and fish, which were and
still are the staples of diet in Cambodia. This is probably why the
ancient Khmer empire of Angkor was located near its shores. Depictions
of plants and animals, throughout Angkor Wat, give an indication of
the biodiversity of the area and its cultural importance through utilization.
The Tonle Sap ecosystem was, and is still considered by many to be the
heart of the country.
The full extent of Cambodia’s biodiversity is not yet known; however Cambodia is thought to have a rich diversity of species and is considered a biodiversity ‘hot spot ’ (an area very rich in biodiversity) given its tropical location. Compared with neighbouring countries, Cambodia has a low population density and relatively large intact natural areas that are still intact.
Biodiversity supports
human societies ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually.
Cambodia is host to a great diversity of life, which can be seen most
directly in the use of biological resources such as agriculture, forestry
and fisheries.
In agriculture the importance of ecosystems is combined with the species preferred for food and the genetic diversity of these species allows for increased capacity to deal with diseases or pests. Others are of considerable importance for the control of natural depredators of agriculture productions (e.g. carnivores control rodent populations, insect eating birds protect crops), the control of pest animals (e.g. bats prey on biting insects, fish prey on mosquito larvae) or pollination (e.g. bees). Wildfowl are currently being domesticated for egg and meat production, cormorants are used as fishing aides. Some species are notable tourist attractions (e.g. elephant, birds) or constitute on the other hand important parasites and vectors of disease affecting domestic animals and people (e.g. mosquito). In Cambodia biodiversity
Definitions for biodiversity often include three components; genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. In Cambodia and indeed around the world and there tends to be varying levels of information on these components. Species diversity is commonly the best-known and most thoroughly investigated component, while genetic diversity has been focused on a few species that are of commercial interest, and the true ecological functions of ecosystems are only slowly coming to light. The following seeks to summarize current knowledge on the status of these three components of biodiversity in Cambodia.
Very little is known about the genetic diversity within species in Cambodia, as little research has been done in this area. Genetic diversity can be divided into plant and animal genetic resources and most often refers to those plants and animals, which have human uses.
In regards to plant genetic resources, crop cultivation in Cambodia is largely dependant on traditional cultivars, old primitive varieties and land races. Almost 80% of the area is cultivated with local, unimproved varieties of rice, maize, sesame, vegetables and sweet potato. Traditionally farmers have been using their own produce as seeds for the next crop without any changes. New pests and pathogens have contributed significantly in the loss of landrace diversity. Rich diversity has been built up in crops like rice, maize, soybean, sesame, sweet potato, peanut and vegetables. Home gardens and backyards possess many different species. There are serious information gaps pertaining to the distribution and occurrence of wild species and wild relatives of crops in Cambodia. This is primarily due to a lack of systematic scientific studies or their taxonomical description and delineation. Rice is the dominant crop for Cambodia, and some research has been undertaken by IRRI, finding over 2,000 varieties of rice and several wild rice species, samples from which have been taken to the IRRI gene bank.
Cambodia has important wild and domesticated animal genetic resources; even less is known about animal genetic resources than the plant genetic resources. Species and breeds of domestic and wild cattle, found within Cambodia, include domestic, feral and wild species. Domestic Swamp Water Buffalo are used and wild Swamp Water Buffalo are also believed to still exist. There are also several breeds of domestic pig, including an indigenous variety, a Chinese variety and several European varieties. Cambodia has a distinctive strain of the South-East Asia pony, and domestic elephants are still worked in more remote parts of the country. Furthermore most of the world's poultry is believed to have come from wild species in South-East Asia, with Cambodia now having both locally domesticated and introduced varieties of chicken, goose, duck, and even an endangered breed of domestic Turkey.
Better information exists on species diversity than either genetic or ecosystems diversity for Cambodia, although this is still limited. The following estimates for species found in Cambodia, have been taken from a variety of authors that have submitted papers for the Cambodia's Biodiversity Status Report.
Approximately 100 species of Terrestrial Mammal are recorded for Cambodia. A total of 49 mammal taxa are currently listed by IUCN (2000) as being Globally Threatened, Near-threatened or Data Deficient and present in Cambodia. However, 17 have not been recorded from the country, with some unlikely to occur, while a further 3 species of bat have recently been added. Thus, to date, 35 IUCN-listed terrestrial species of mammal are known from Cambodia. Of these, Kouprey and Javan Rhinoceros are potentially extinct (globally and nationally respectively).
Over 500 species of Birds have been recorded from Cambodia, but based on data from neighbouring countries (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam) more than 600 species are likely to occur. BirdLife International designates thirty-nine species of birds confirmed in Cambodia as being globally threatened or globally near threatened. Of these 25 are species that are primarily reliant on wetlands, the majority being large waterbirds. The two most important areas for conservation of globally threatened bird species in Cambodia are the Boeung Tonle Sap and its inundation zone and the northern deciduous dipterocarp forest plains.
Estimates for freshwater fish in Cambodia range from 850–1,200, however an understated but highly cross referenced estimate of overall Cambodian fish species is made by the Fishbase, showing a fish species list for freshwater (486) and marine/brackish (357), totalling 843 fish species for Cambodia. Freshwater fish species in Cambodia are very diverse because the variety of ecosystems and historical geological changes. While the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea coastal waters in general and specifically those off Cambodia are highlighted as being zones of high biological productivity and important nurseries for fish breeding. There is anticipated to be a much higher number of fish species found in Cambodia as further scientific research is conducted.
Surveys on Reptiles and Amphibians are either historical or relatively recent and have not been rigorously taxonomically studied or effectively peer reviewed. As such an estimate of overall species numbers has not been made. There are however 28 species of reptile listed on the CITES list for Cambodia, highlighting the regional and international significance of these species found in Cambodia. The results from recent studies should soon make more accurate information available for the estimation of reptile and amphibian species in Cambodia.
No accurate assessment of the size of the Cambodian Flora is available. Dy Phon (1982) suggested a known flora of 2308 species of seed plants, but this total seems far too small given more reasonable estimates of about 12,000-15,000 species for Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam combined. Cambodia is not expected to have a high level of endemic plants, however the wet forests of the Cardamom and Elephant Mountains and swamp forests of the Tonle Sap floodplain might be expected to harbour locally distributed species.
Cambodia has an interesting diversity of ecosystems including; coastal, wetlands, forests and agriculture. The coastal zone contains; corals, sea grasses, islands and mangroves found along Cambodia's 435 km of the coast. Extensive wetlands occupy up to 30% of the country and are linked to geography, the Mekong River and a monsoon climate. Forests, which once covered most of the country in a blanket of green, include lowland, montane and azonal forest types. Finally and perhaps most significantly for the people of Cambodia are the agricultural ecosystems, which are dominated by rice based agriculture and shifting cultivation. Combined these ecosystems form the mosaic of the country and land uses patterns follow these natural systems.
Biodiversity loss is
the greatest threat to biodiversity; extinction or deaths of an entire
species, loss of unique habitats and ecosystems or reduction of genetic
variations within a species are all losses of biodiversity. As we still
know so little about biodiversity, we don't know how much biodiversity
we are losing, and it is often difficult to now the threats to biodiversity.
The main threats to biodiversity
stem from an increased population pressure, a lack of planning and law
enforcement in natural resource management, and uncertainties in land
tenure. Having only recently emerged from three decades of war and civil
unrest Cambodia has to rebuild much of its institutional framework and
has many urgent development needs. Many people in Cambodia rely directly
on biological resources for their livelihoods, however biological resources
have been privatised and in many cases overexploited. The Government
has taken important steps in mitigating threats to biodiversity, through
increased community management and good governance, however the greatest
concern is the time and resources it is taking to implement these measures.
Some areas remained largely
undisturbed because they were considered unsafe. In recent years, increased
security throughout the country has brought with it, increased migration
of people into areas that were formerly considered unsafe, and as such
similar unsustainable natural resource exploitation activities are occurring
around the country. If this trend continues there is a danger that areas
that are important for the conservation of biodiversity could be rapidly
degraded or lost with serious ecological and economic consequences for
Cambodia.
We now know that there are many different threats directly causing biodiversity loss. Among these threats increasing population can be considered a root cause, as it is the basis of many of the other threats. Other threats include; ignorance, policies, global trading, inequity, lack of participation, natural disasters, man-made disasters, climate change, loss of habitat & overexploitation of biological resources, wildlife trade, pollution, modern agriculture, invasive alien species, and biotechnology. It is becoming more and more important to implement management for these threats now, as with an increasing population these threats will become more of a problem for Cambodia in the future.
This summary of the biodiversity
found in Cambodia, shows some of the issues related to biodiversity.
From the limited information that is currently known we can see that
Cambodia is rich in genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, but that
there are a range of threats to all components of biodiversity. There
is still much more to learn about the rich biodiversity of Cambodia,
but the first steps to greater knowledge, awareness and appreciation
of Cambodia's biodiversity have been taken. The more we learn about
biodiversity, the more we realize its importance for Cambodia's prosperity
and overall quality of life. This will only be possible if people are
willing to use protect and manage Cambodia's biodiversity sustainably.
The biodiversity information
available in Cambodia is limited and typically what is considered grey
literature, as it comes from sources that are not scientifically peer
reviewed. This lack of strong scientific information should not be seen
as an excuse for inaction, indeed it should be seen as a reason to be
more cautious in ensuring a sound approach to biodiversity issues. The
information base of Cambodia's biodiversity is currently expanding,
and this increased knowledge and awareness can help in the use, protection
and management of biodiversity for sustainable development in Cambodia.
There are many threats
to biodiversity in Cambodia, and combined with increasing population
these threats are creating the potential for the increasing loss of
biodiversity. As more biodiversity is lost it becomes more difficult
to maintain a path towards sustainable development, future prosperity
and most importantly it is more difficult to maintain food security
and ecosystem functions that are the basis of real quality of life.
The Royal Cambodian Government
and many international organizations have recognized the significance
of Cambodia's biodiversity, and are showing increased interest in conducting
activities that reduce biodiversity threats. Many activities currently
being undertaken are concentrating on the important links between biodiversity
and sustainable development, while at the same time encouraging the
protection of representative components of Cambodia's biodiversity.
Such approaches will help to ensure Cambodia's ability to use, protect
and manage biodiversity for sustainable development, and prosperity
into the future.
The development of Cambodia
is oriented towards poverty reduction through accelerated economic growth,
environmental sustainability and social equity. In this perspective,
the people of Cambodia share this vision of biological diversity:
"Equitable economic prosperity and improved quality of life through sustainable use, protection and management of biological resources".
To use, protect and manage biodiversity for
sustainable development in Cambodia
The Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is viewed to be an ongoing, continuous and cyclical process, and the actions outlined in the strategy get implemented along the line of national development and in light of the regional and international context. In this way, the national planners will become the national implementers so that biodiversity conservation becomes sustainable and its management can thus positively affect the national economy and the livelihood of the people of Cambodia. Proposed mechanisms for implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan include:
Successful implementation of the Strategy will be determined, in large measure, by the degree to which all parts of society adopt its vision and principles and contribute to achieving its goals. Ultimately, the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources will require the support and participation of individual citizens, local communities, urban and regional governments, conservation groups, business and industry, and educational and research institutions.
To monitor and evaluate the progress through the report, it is necessary to fix target of some available indicators in the plan. The BSAP Actions and indicators matrix (appendix 1) can be used to effectively monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the BSAP through the measurable indicators for the themed actions.
The Strategy provides
a framework for action at all levels that will enhance our ability to
ensure the productivity, diversity and integrity of our natural systems
and, as a result, our ability as a nation to develop sustainably. It
promotes the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of
our biological resources, and describes how we will contribute to international
efforts to implement the Convention.
The Action Plan list priority actions that will be undertaken by the different ministries, departments and agencies during the implementation phase. Priority actions adopted by the government can be grouped in three broad categories:
Projects and activities implemented in regard to this Action Plan will be developed on the basis of the guiding principles of the Strategy with an emphasis on capacity building, community involvement and intersectional cooperation.
Developing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is the culmination of, sectoral meetings with relevant government departments, combined with two national and three provincial workshops on biodiversity. The workshops highlighted the key issues for biodiversity in Cambodia, which are highlighted in each theme. The sectors have given background information and commented on the relevant themes and specifically given the governments focus in Priority Actions for these themes.
Linkages between National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Themes
The themes presented
in the Strategy and Action Plan seeks to highlight a sectoral approach
to biodiversity management. As Biodiversity is a cross-sectoral issue
there are many areas of overlap throughout the themes, and these should
compliment each other rather than lead to duplication. This is the first
plan, but it is expected that future revisions will better recognize
the crosscutting linkages between all themes.
Context
Cambodia was the first
country in Southeast Asia to establish a national park in 1925, when
the 10,800 ha forest around the Angkor Temple complex was declared a
protected area. By 1969, the country had established six national parks
and wildlife sanctuaries covering nearly 2.2 million ha, about 12% of
the country's total land area. The civil war disrupted management activities
in these parks, but the country renewed conservation efforts by establishing
protected areas after the war ended.
In November 1993, His
Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk issued a Royal Decree (or Kret) designating
23 protected areas, covering about 3.3 million ha (18.23% of total land
area), and including seven national parks, ten wildlife sanctuaries,
three protected landscapes, and three multiple use areas. The four categories
reflect the different characteristics and management objectives for
these areas and correspond to international classifications such as
those of IUCN (The World Conservation Union).
The boundaries of Kirirom
and Ream National Parks have almost fully defined with the participation
from relevant stakeholders and recognised by relevant stakeholders including
the Ministry of Land Management, Urbanization and Construction, Provincial
Authorities and local communities. A part from this, boundary markers
have been placed in special boundary points within a number of protected
areas. Headquarters, rangers stations, sign posts; boundary markers;
and education signs have been developed at basic level in 12 protected
areas to provide basic protection and public understanding about their
administration. Field wildlife surveys such as bird; mammals have been
carried out in some protected areas. Specific species survey such as
Tiger and Elephant survey begin to be initially conducted in Bokor;
Virachey; Kirirom national parks; Phnom Prich; Kulen Prom Tep; Luphat;
Phnom Oral and Phnom Somkos WSs.. Field information and documentation
have been shared among stakeholders through a number of workshops. Preliminary
assessment and priority setting for conservation areas have been conducted.
By early 2001, 525 rangers have been totally recruited and deployed
in 59 stations within the national protected areas; plans are made to
reach 600 rangers in 2003. They are doing basic patrolling activities.
About 15% of existing rangers have received basic training. Close cooperation
between the Department with a number of conservation organizations have
been developed to promote the capacity development, environmental education,
community livelihood development; and on-site protection. Threats analysis
has not been systematically conducted. Defining zoning system to meet
multiple objectives of protected areas management begun with two protected
areas included Ream National Park and the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.
Steering Committees on Consultation and Conflict Resolutions have been
created at national and provincial level but have only meet very occasionally
to solve any conflicts. Local participation in sustainable natural resource
management is being promoted in a number of protected areas. National
policy document such as the National Environmental Action Plan for 1998-2002
have been developed and other policies document such as protected areas
law, community sub-decree, community fishery sub-decree and community
forest sub-decree are drafted.
Even if a high percentage
of Cambodia's land area already falls under designated protected areas,
there is some need to complete the network. Recently, the Tonle Sap
Lake was formally listed as a Biosphere reserve. There are also three
Wetlands of International Importance, Ramsar sites, designated in Cambodia
(Boeung Chhma, Kaoh Kapik, and a northern section of the Mekong river
in Stung Treng Province), and potential new world heritage sites also
planned to become protected areas in the near future. The designation
of the Sarus Crane Reserve, in February 2000, at Ang Tropeang Thmor
highlights the need and possibility for species-specific reserves and
sanctuaries to be added into the protected areas system.
Within existing system
there are 7 transboundary protected areas. The location of one of Cambodia's
protected areas, Virachey National Park (332,500 ha) in northeastern
Cambodia, provides an opportunity for creating a trans-frontier reserve
with the proposed Dong Amphan National Park (122.100 ha) in Lao P.D.R.
and the Mom Ray National Park (101,400 ha) in Vietnam. However, tiger
and elephant survey begin to extensively carried out by using camera
traps and signs identification techniques, these have not yet been fully
surveyed, their boundaries have not been demarcated, and there has been
no conservation and management within the parks.
Protected areas play
a significant role in the development of tourism, and the provision
of ecological services (watershed protection, sanctuaries for wild plants
and animals). However, several protected areas are subjected to unrestricted
grazing by livestock, unmanaged fishing, illegal logging, collection
of fuelwood, non-timber forest product collections, and habitat degradation
and disturbance resulting from human activities. These issues can be
best addressed through the development and implementation of management
underpinned by the participation of local communities.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions (coordinating
and participating agencies)
Species of animals, which
were present in Cambodia in the past but are now believed to be extinct,
include the Kouprey and the Javan rhinoceros. Endangered species include
for example Asian elephant, tiger, banteng, freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin,
greater adjutant stork, sarus crane, white-shouldered ibis, white-winged
duck, Siamese crocodile and marine turtles. The giant catfish, known
to reach up to 5 m in length, is also threatened as well as at least
14 other fish species. Among other animals, which are now considered
rare or vulnerable, are the brow-antlered deer, the gaur, the pygmy
loris, the pileated gibbon, the sun bear, several species of terrestrial
turtles, the spot-billed pelican, and several other bird species. Threats
to these animals include poaching, egg collecting, predation (by feral
animals etc) pollution, accidental fisheries by-catch and habitat destruction.
Several plant species
or varieties occurring in Cambodia are currently at risk. These include
valuable tree species such as Chankreussna (Aquilaria crassna),
Cheuteal (Dipterocarpus sp.) and Koki (Hopea sp.), rare
endemics that are not found anywhere else such as Fokeinia hodgsonii,
a highly valued coniferous tree, and several species of orchids. Major
threats to the terrestrial flora are encroachment caused by human settlements,
deforestation, cultivation, landscape gardening and livestock grazing,
as well as illegal collecting for local or international markets.
Recent efforts to assess
the status of Cambodia's species diversity are limited and the national
distribution of these and other significant animal species is not well
known. Illegal trade is common for several species due to the lack of
enforcement capacity within the relevant agencies.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Ex situ conservation
should never be considered as a solution for the long-term preservation
of biological diversity. Zoos, botanical gardens, herbariums, tree nurseries,
seed banks or gene banks can only play a significant role in conservation
when coupled to in situ conservation efforts and sustainable
agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry practices.
Cambodia does not have
proper ex situ conservation facilities such as national gene
bank for long-term conservation of germplasm. It also does not have
an in vitro repository or a cryobank. Most of its germplasm collections
are maintained under field conditions and are subjected to field rejuvenation
too frequently. For example, all rice germplasm holdings are presently
maintained at Cambodia-IRRI-Australia Project (CIAP) in Phnom Penh and
duplicate samples are maintained at the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI), Los Banos, the Philippines. Cambodia in collaboration
with IRRI has done extensive survey for the collection of landrace diversity
of rice and assembled 2209 accessions (1989-1994), which is perhaps
the only documented study of genetic resources in the country. Evaluation
programs are very poor and data documentation facilities inappropriate.
The government is managing
the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, created in 1994, which acts
largely as a refuge for confiscated animals. If properly developed,
this Centre could play an important role in public awareness. In recent
years however, at least nine private menageries have opened in diverse
locations, the most important collections being kept in Kampot, Siem
Reap and Prey Veng. Unfortunately these facilities suffer from deficient
infrastructures, their staffs are not properly trained and they are
not involved in the breeding of any animals. In fact the death rate
of their animal occupants is very high. As these private menageries
get their animals from illegal capture and trade, their very existence
might be an incentive for poachers to look for rare animals and an indirect
contribution to the decline of Cambodian threatened wildlife.
There is no botanical
garden as such in the country except for a small collection of native
trees in the Phnom Tamao Centre. The Hun Sen Kraing Yov nursery and
the Kop Svau Center support a small seed collection and produce crop
plants for farmers. There is limited production of native trees for
reforestation purposes. Proper development of existing and new facilities
should be oriented towards native tree production for reforestation.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Cambodia is host to a
great diversity of animal life. Some of these animals are of considerable
importance for the control of natural depredators of agriculture productions
(e.g. carnivores control rodent populations, insect eating birds protect
crops), the control of pest animals (e.g. bats prey on biting insects,
fish prey on mosquito larvae) or pollination (e.g. bees). Wildfowl are
currently being domesticated for egg and meat production, cormorants
are used as fishing aides. Some species are notable tourist attractions
(e.g. elephant, birds) or constitute on the other hand important parasites
and vectors of disease affecting domestic animals and people (e.g. mosquito).
Despite its illegality,
hunting is widely spread and is particularly detrimental to several
species of birds and mammals especially among the most vulnerable and
rare species. Harvesting of water snake, frogs and toads, spiders, snails,
water bugs and locusts for local markets is common though not posing
a real threat to these species for the moment. Turtles, birds and monkeys
are captured and sold as foodstuff or pet animals; butterflies, green
peafowl feathers and hornbill's bill casques are sold as ornaments or
souvenirs. Illegal trade and commerce of live animals and their products
are very important and have definitely contributed to the decline of
several species especially reptiles, birds and mammals.
Habitat alteration and
encroachment caused by inappropriate land use, pollution and biological
invasions constitutes a major threat for most wildlife species (see
section 1.2). Many recent activities associated with urbanization and
development alter habitats. Construction of recharge dams and
roads for example, have severe impacts on habitats. Similarly,
activities associated with mining, logging, and agriculture also physically
impair habitats. Alteration of waterways and changes in the drainage
characteristics of catchments impact both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
The improper application and handling of pesticide has a negative impact
on aquatic biodiversity as well as deleterious effects on non-target
species of arthropods, reptile, amphibian and bird all the while posing
a threat to human health. The introduction of exotic fish species for
aquaculture purposes is also a problem of special concern for local
fish species.
Information on the status
and trends of most animal species being scarce, it is urgent that the
country starts developing its capacity to properly monitor and manage
its wildlife to allow for a sustainable use of this vital resource and
prevent the extinction of irreplaceable species.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Cambodia is fortune to
have one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the world.
An estimated number of 486 freshwater fish species occupy various ecological
niches, including plankton feeders, detritus feeders predators and opportunists.
At least 45 fish species are already known as commercially important.
The freshwater floodplains of Cambodia can be categorized into varieties
of habitat types ranging from from marshes/ swamps, shrublands, grasslands,
flooded forest, to rice fields. The Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake
are the main freshwater. The reversal of flow between the Mekong River
and the Tonle Sap Lake in different seasons is a unique characteristic
of the Cambodian floodplains contributing to the high productivity.
When the waters rise in monsoon most fishes migrate from the Mekong
mainstream to the floodplains.
Fish serve as the main
source of protein for Cambodians with an estimated average per capita
consumption of 75 kg in central Cambodia and an estimated average consumption
of 30 to 40 Kg/person/year in Cambodia. Most fresh fish or fish products
(prahoc) are still very cheap and affordable to the rural poor. Fish
together with rice serve as the foundation of food security in Cambodia.
The estimated annual production was in the range from 300,000 to 450,000
tons giving the value at the landing sites of US$ 200 -250 millions.
The estimated retail value was US$ 250-500 millions which is Cambodia
about 8 to 10% of the country 's annual GDP.
The present estimated
catches may be higher than in the past as a result of the application
of systematic estimation than so far it was never been done .It was
also observed that the catch rates of large and medium-sized fish have
declined but the small are still relatively abundant. There are some
reports saying that some fish species have becoming endangered. The
floodplain habitats, such as flooded forests, have contributed to the
high productivity and rich in species diversity .The practices such
as forest destruction or the conversion of flooded forest to agriculture
lands have deteriorated the quality and the quality of these fish habitats.
Fish productivity is linked to the extent of land, which was inundated.
In dry years fish productivity is lower than in wet years. The construction
of water related work such as dams and, water irrigation, system has
caused a negative impact on fishery.
The fisheries in Cambodia
can be categorized into industrial (large-scale), artisanal (medium-
scale) and family fisheries. Industrial fisheries are "fishing
lots" or fishing concessions. The fisheries are allocated through
an auction system for exclusive exploitation over a two-year period.
The large lots are typically 15-20 km long and 5-10 km wide and can
be auctioned for as much as US$ 200,000 a year while smaller lots are
valued at $2,000-5,000.
Fishing gears and methods
can be divided in two broad categories: limited access fisheries
and open access fisheries. The fishing lot system, or limited
access fisheries, has been used in Cambodia for over a century.
The government through an auction-like process, which by many has been
accused of being rigged, usually limits access. The large-scale fishing
lot concessions located around the Tonle Sap Lake control approximately
80% of the lakeshore, including important inundated forest area. The
value of the fishing lot depends on their perceived fish production,
making unbiased data collection very difficult.
Fishing lot operators
harvest the fish by building bamboo fences to retain the fish and at
the end of the season, the lake drains to capture the fish at the lowest
point, allowing for a near total harvest. The success of the harvest
varies according to the water level of the lake and the extent to which
it drains. The operators often sub-lease the original fishing lots,
as the area is usually too big to harvest for one operator. As the lots
are sub-leased and become smaller concessions, the pressure to harvest
100% fish stock increases.
Each lot has a burden
book that stipulates the boundaries, the times for fishing and the times
and areas set-aside for public access. The fishing lots are typically
guarded to stop poaching and protect the natural habitat. Many conflicts
occur between lot operators and local villagers, because of boundary
disputes, conversion of land and illegal fishing operations.
Open access fisheries
are considered to have increased dramatically in recent times, and can
be divided into small-scale or family fisheries, licensed fisheries
and illegal fisheries. Small scale or family fisheries are able to use
many fishing gears; however the size of gears is limited. Small scale
or family fishing does not have a set season but are allowed to operate
all year round. If they use a larger size they to licensed and can fish
only on the open fishing season from October 1 to May 31 for fishery
domain located in the northern of the parallel Quatre Bras (Chaktomok)
and from November 01 to June 30 for the fishery domain located in the
southern of the parallel Quatre Bras (Chaktomok). There are a
number of fishing gears specified by the fishery law by size or type
requiring a license such as gillnets, seines, arrow shaped traps, etc.
Illegal fisheries are those fishing practices, which are determined
as illegal by the fishery law such as brush parks and explosives.
The Department of Fisheries
have been implementing a fishery reform initiated by the prime minister
.As a reform of the fisheries, some 500,000 ha of fishing lots was cut
and handed over to small scale fishers and will be managed by a community.
Freshwater Aquaculture
Many families living
in floating fishing villages around the Tonle Sap Lake use floating
fish cages. The fish cages are used to farm local varieties of fish
that are kept and fattened before being sold at a higher price. The
Fisheries Department with the assistance of a variety of development
agencies has actively promoted aquaculture in the uplands for food security.
Most of this form of aquaculture is based on small dams, some of which
are linked to rice paddies. This aquaculture is predominantly based
on introduced species of fish and as such may be a serious threat to
local species biodiversity.
Aquaculture production,
especially inland pond culture, has increased from 1,600 metric tons
in 1984 to 15,000 metric tons in 1999; with such capacity for progress,
there are obviously good chances of rapid expansion in the industry.
Yet there are no guidelines regulating the importation of exotic species
for culture, the scope for environmental impact studies and environmental
standards required for fish-farms. Under these conditions, the development
of freshwater aquaculture raises the question of potential negative
impacts of introduced alien species on native fish-stocks.
Key issues
Goals
Strategic Objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions (coordinating
and participating agencies)
(incl. review of
the fishing lot system, establishment of boundaries, local community
participation, revision of burden books, objective supervision of fishing
lot operators)
(incl. comprehensive
commune-by-commune environmental education program, emphasis on protecting
and managing natural vegetation as fish habitat, establishment of fish
sanctuaries.
(incl. promotion
of native fish production)
(incl. clarification of job descriptions, staff promotion based on merit, salary increase, measures to improve staff efficiency and accountability)
Context
Cambodia's 435 km coastline
is strewed with beaches, mangroves forests, coral reefs and seagrass
beds that play a major role in ecosystem productivity. The country has
an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) - the area from the shore to 200 nautical
miles offshore - covering 500,000 km2
(SEAPOL, 1991).
Fauna significant to
biodiversity conservation reportedly found in the coastal and marine
area include marine mammals such as the dugong and marine dolphins,
whales marine turtles and fisher and crustacean and molluscs. Information
on the status of fish stocks, which is needed to develop a management
program for the fisheries are very limited. Fisheries statistic from
Department of Fisheries that shows 30,000 tons of fish are harvested
annually though the actual catch may be higher because this figure does
not include the harvest of foreign fleets that land their catch outside
Cambodia, illegal commercial boats, and subsistence fishers. The fishing
zones that are closest to the shore are over harvested by artisan fishermen
lacking the capacity to sail in higher seas.
The effectiveness of
the Department of Fisheries in preventing illegal fishing, and monitoring
the resource has been limited by lack of technical capacity, inadequate
equipment and budget constraints despite the fact that it generates
important revenues namely through the sale of fishing permits, fines
and other fees from the four coastal municipalities and provinces ($4
millions in 1995).
The coastal area is essential
habitat to numerous species and must be protected accordingly. Mangrove
forest play an essential role in the survival of some fish species and
other marine organisms; they serve as spawning ground or nursery grounds
for several commercially important fish species. Thus overexploitation
of mangrove can adversely impact the fisheries.
Mangroves have been
severely affected by wood harvesting for charcoal production and other
uses, urbanization, coastal development, pollution, and intensive shrimp
aquaculture, which converts these highly productive areas into agricultural
land. Coral reefs and seagrass beds that are highly critical to marine
productivity are also threatened by human activities namely offshore
oil and gas development and the pollution associated with it. As human
activities are expected to increase in the future, land use planning
of the coastal areas involving local communities will be essential to
protect these areas of utmost importance for the future of the fisheries.
Key Issues:
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Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
The forest cover of Cambodia is diverse. Different types include mangrove, flood forest, bamboo forest, coniferous forest, dry deciduous and moist deciduous rainforest or moist evergreen forest, moist mountain forest and dwarf evergreen forest. These forest ecosystems occur at varying altitudes or climatic conditions and constitute valuable resources. In addition, the country has valuable non-wood resources (e.g. rattan, bamboo, resin, palm, fruit trees, medicinal plants, etc.) though there are serious gaps in the information pertaining to the distribution and occurrence of wild plant species and wild relatives of crops. It is primarily due to lack of systematic scientific studies of their taxonomic description and delineation.
Together with the volume
taken for firewood and charcoal, the current rate both extractions is
approximately seven times the sustainable level and can decimate much
of the remaining commercial stand within the next 10 years. There are
however opportunities to reverse this trend through better monitoring
of forest concessions, improved capacity for law enforcement and the
establishment of forest plantations with both fast growing species and
traditional hardwood varieties. This will not only supplement the country's
forest resource but also will also provide gainful rural employment
opportunities and increase rural incomes. This could only be achieved
through greater participation of local communities and the private sector
in forest protection, management and improvement.
The forest policy framework
recognizes that long-term benefits from the country's forest resources
can only be optimized through proper conservation and management, which
have beneficial hydrologic and environmental impacts (i.e. reduction
in the frequency and severity of floods, soil erosion, siltation of
waterways, degradation of inland fishery resources) and provide long-term
sustainable income to the government. Sound forest management will serve
also the people living in or near forested areas who depend partly on
forests for food, fuel wood, and other non-wood products such as resin,
palm, kapok, rattan and bamboo.
Key Issues:
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Strategic Objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Cultivation
Agriculture has traditionally
been the most dominant sector in the economy of South-East Asia until
very recently. About 90% of the population's livelihoods are still based
on agriculture in Cambodia. The Cambodian national economy is also largely
agriculture based, mostly rainfed, mono-cropped and mainly under rice
based farming system. The agricultural ecosystems utilized in Cambodia
can be divided into; rice based systems, shifting agriculture, commercial
field crops, homegardens, and perennial systems. Within these agricultural
ecosystems other resources can and are being developed, for example
rice-fish farming highlights the agricultural and fisheries output from
some rice agricultural ecosystems.
Farmers are poor and
they live under extreme agro-ecological and socio-economical constraints.
Rice constitutes the predominant crop followed by maize. Among legumes,
soybean is important followed by mungbean. The oilseed crops include
groundnut and sesame. Further, among industrial crops, sugar palm tree,
sugarcane followed by jute and tobacco are commonly grown. Vegetables
occupy very large area under cultivation; sweet potato is more common
whereas cassava is also sparsely cultivated.
Crop cultivation in Cambodia
is largely dependent on traditional cultivates, old primitive varieties
and land races. In the late 90's almost 80% of the area was cultivated
with local, unimproved varieties of rice, maize, sesame, vegetables
and sweet potato. Traditionally farmers have been using their own produce
as seeds for next crop without any changes. New pests and pathogens
have contributed significantly in the loss of land race diversity. The
establishment of gene bank and storage facilities and plant genetic
resources laboratories at national level are highly desirable and needed
for sustainable food production.
Modern agriculture is
tending to reduce the diversity of strains crops used and the diversity
of species available for use in agricultural ecosystems. There is an
increasing emphasis on a few varieties of commodity crops, which may
undermine real food security in Cambodia. Real food security is based
on diversity of and within crops, the less diversity of and within crops
the more vulnerable the crops are. Furthermore, the highest yield
of a single crop is often obtained by planting it alone in a field,
but while that may produce a lot of one crop, it generates nothing else
of use to the farmer. Diversity in the strains and species used in agricultural
ecosystems directly attributes to increased food security and helps
to support the agricultural ecosystem functions including; adaptation,
pollination, soil formation, fertility and pest control.
The increasing and improper
use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has the potential to cause
serious impacts to both agricultural and natural ecosystems. In compliance
with the International Plant Protection Convention, the Royal of Cambodia
Government has established Cambodian National Integrated Pest Management
program. A national sub-decree on Standard and management of agricultural
Materials (no.69) prohibiting the import of unapproved pesticides and
requiring labeling instructions for use in Khmer language was adopted
by the Royal of Cambodia Government on 28 October 1998 but enforcement
so far has been extremely difficult.
Animal Production
Over time many animals
have been domesticated locally or introduced from other countries for
their usefulness. These animals have adapted to their agro-ecological
conditions and have lost many of their wild traits. Access to new genetic
materials, in the form of live animals, embryos and semen has led to
widespread crossbreeding throughout Asia, which may have reduced unique
animal genetic resources and sustainability. Cambodia has not
experienced the same scale of change with domestic animals as other
countries in Southeast Asia, but is currently experiencing very rapid
change.
There are several breeds
of domestic cattle utilized in Cambodia. The following is a summary
of the major varieties. The breeds of cattle come from the domesticated
species of Humped cattle and Humpless cattle and Cambodia also has one
feral species of cattle known as Burmese Gaur. The Swamp Water Buffalo
is also used extensively throughout Cambodia. There are several
breeds of domestic pig found in Cambodia, including an indigenous variety
known as gondol, a Chinese variety and several European varieties. Cambodia
also has a distinctive strain of South-East Asia pony, and domestic
elephants are still worked in more remote parts of the country.
Most of the world's poultry
are believed to have come from wild species in South East Asia. The
following highlights some of the distinctive domestic breeds of poultry
known from Cambodia, there are expected to be other newer varieties
being introduced to Cambodia however there is limited documentation
on these breeds. A few varieties of domestic chicken are considered
to be indigenous and as such are well adapted to the local environment.
There is also a strain of domestic Goose, and a variety of domestic
duck can be both classified as indigenous. A breed of domestic Muscovy
duck is also used in Cambodia and there is a fancy breed of domestic
Turkey that is now considered endangered.
Worldwide the greatest
threat to domestic animal diversity is the highly specialized nature
of industrial livestock production. In the industrialized world, commercial
livestock farming is based on very few breeds or strains that have been
selected for intensive production of meat, milk or eggs in highly controlled
regulated conditions. The spread of industrial agriculture in the south
places thousands of native breeds at risk from genetic dilution or replacement
by imported stocks. Commercial breeds imported from North America and
Western Europe are usually unable to sustain high production in less
hospitable environments. They require intensive management and costly
inputs such as high protein feed, medication, and climate-controlled
housing. Introduction of intensive animal production in most areas of
the South creates dependency on imported technologies and germplasm;
it is neither affordable nor sustainable for poor farmers. Livestock
production is still limited in Cambodia but there has been a shift from
village level to commercial level production in this sector. Husbandry
techniques, sanitary measures, veterinarian services and quality control
will have to be developed in order to support this change.
Key issues:
Goals
Strategic objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions (coordinating
and participating agencies)
including:
Context
According to a 1996 MIME/ADB
study, less than 18% of Cambodia's energy use is commercial (petrol,
gas, electricity). The remaining 82% are from wood (80.5% including
charcoal) plus other biomass sources such as crop residues (1.6 %).
For 92% of Cambodia's households, wood is the major fuel for cooking
with petroleum accounting for less than 2% of household energy use.
In rural areas, wood is the major cooking fuel for 95% of households.
In principle, wood is
a renewable resource, which can provide household energy needs infinitely.
However, wood is often consumed at a greater rate than it is replanted,
potentially causing degradation in forest cover, loss of wildlife habitat,
soil loss and erosion, loss of soil fertility, downstream flooding,
sedimentation and turbidity in water bodies, and a range of other problems.
With the population increasing rapidly, fuelwood use is expected to
continue to grow thus increasing the pressures on forests and mangroves.
Electricity production
is the second major use of petroleum fuel in Cambodia after transport.
The constant increase of electricity needs might call for the development
of hydropower dams along the Mekong and other rivers. These projects
will have to be looked at very carefully considering their potentially
negative impacts on the fertility of agricultural lands and the productivity
of fish habitat.
Offshore oil and gas exploration activities have been undertaken in Cambodia since the 1960s. Petroleum experts believe that Cambodia has a high potential for natural gas but exploration to-date has not discovered reserves worth developing, for now at the least. Should commercial exploitation begin, care will have to be taken to prevent risks of oil spills and other detrimental impacts of these activities on natural ecosystems.
Key issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions (coordinating
and participating agencies)
Context
Mineral deposits in Cambodia
can be divided in five categories: fuel minerals, industrial minerals
and construction minerals, metals and nonmetal, precious stones and
ornamental stones. Minerals, which are used for road and building construction,
are quarried in different sites and include basalt, granite, limestone,
rhyolite, quartzite, sand stone and marble. Limestone and dolomite,
which are used in the cement industry, are quarried and processed in
Kampot, and phosphoric deposits, which produce phosphate suitable for
fertilizer's production, are located in Battambang and Kampot.
There are two main areas
where gems stones are found. The sapphire-ruby-zircon gems of Pailin
are heavily exploited, but in Ratanakiri the zircon, gold and sapphire
mining is only carried out on a small scale during the dry season. The
ornament stone pagodite, from Pursat, is used for the production of
Khmer ornaments.
Mineral resource exploration,
extraction and processing pose serious threats to natural habitats and
wildlife in general. Mining activities destroy landscape and surface
vegetation and affect wildlife. Seepage from transformation plants and
tailings may pollute fresh water reserves and soil. Rainwater seeping
through spoil heaps may become heavily contaminated, acidic or turbid,
with potentially devastating effects on nearby streams and rivers. Contaminated
water and plants may be toxic or may cause diseases in people and other
animals that consume them.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
The manufacturing industry
in Cambodia is composed of a few thousand large, medium or small-scale
enterprises that have either a direct or indirect impact on the environment.
More specifically, tanning, textile and garment factories, plastic,
rubber and tube factories are likely to have a most serious effect on
Biodiversity through the discharge of liquid and solid waste causing
water, air and soil pollution.
Most factories do not
have any environmental management system in place even if this approach
has been proven successful in reducing environmental impacts of industries
and improving their efficiency and competitiveness. Although there is
legislation, there is no environmental impact assessment procedure in
place for new industrial projects. Increasing the environmental performance
of this sector would not only improve its efficiency but would also
facilitate the selling of industrial products on environmentally sensitive
international markets.
Key issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions (coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Humans have been manipulating
organisms and exploiting their biological processes and characteristics
for thousands of years. The earlier forms of biotechnology -selectively
breeding animals and plants and using micro organisms to make, among
other things, wine, beer, bread, cheese or soy products- have been adapted
by societies around the world and have steadily improved over time.
These traditional or conventional techniques are still used today in
rural areas and industry alike and differ merely in sophistication and
scale. In Cambodia, traditional biotechnology has been in use for hundreds
of year for plant and animal selection, beer, soy products and rice
and palm wine production.
In the last thirty years,
new, more powerful techniques have emerged to supplement the traditional
techniques. Some of these new techniques -tissue culture, cell fusion,
embryo transfer, recombinant DNA technology and novel bioprocessing
techniques- have enabled scientists to grow whole organisms from single
cells, fuse, different cell types to create hybrids with the qualities
of both parent cells, impregnate animals with embryos from other valuable
animals, isolate genes from one organism to insert them into another
and process things such as food and waste, more efficiently. Some modern
biotechnological techniques are presently being used to help conserve
biological diversity and sustainable use its components, in particular,
genetic resources.
But to many people genetic
engineering is biotechnology. With genetic engineering techniques, a
gene for a particular trait from one organism can be directly inserted
into another, even if the two organisms are not from the same species.
The potential power of genetic engineering has captured the imagination
of many, and heightened concern over the ethics of its use, safety for
humans and the environment and the socio-economic impact of its product.
Biotechnology potentially
offers benefits for human welfare, but many people are concerned that
greater use of the products of biotechnology is not without risks to
biological diversity and human health. Such risks will have to be identified
and appropriately managed or controlled before new product enters the
environment (Adapted from IUCN, 1997. Guide to the Convention on Biological
Diversity).
The Convention on Biological
Diversity and the newly adopted protocol on Biosafety require each contracting
party to take steps to regulate, manage or control the risks to biological
diversity and human health posed by the use and release of living modified
organisms (LMOs) likely to have adverse environmental impacts. Parties
may implement a program to address the risks through a hierarchy of
measures - regulation, management or other means of control.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions (coordinating
and participating agencies)
Context
Tourism represents one
of Cambodia's main opportunities for rebuilding its economy and the
sector is rapidly expanding. Sustainable development in tourism is dependent
on three strategies:
Establishing and properly
managing a strong network of protected areas and cultural sites involving
local communities will contribute significantly to the development of
tourism. As such, Cambodia's potential for eco-tourism and adventure
tourism based on wildlife and natural landscape is immense.
Setting up and implementing
some controls and guidelines for tourism will help in keeping the environment
as healthy and intact as possible. Building of new roads and hotels
will require care to be taken in order to prevent the negative impacts
of these infrastructures on landscape and integrity of natural ecosystems.
Services associated with hotel activities have to be managed to prevent
pollution and environmental degradation. Tour operators and guides have
the responsibility to promote tourists' responsible behavior and attitude
and provide them adequate information on the rules and regulations in
use. In coastal areas, for example, scuba divers hunt and collect marine
organisms and boat anchors destroy coral reefs; adequate information
and proper anchoring techniques can prevent these impacts.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(Indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(incl. inventory
of potential projects, guidelines for nature-based toursim development,
community approach strategies)
Context
Cambodia is one of the
fourteen countries in Asia considered by the UN Department of Humanitarian
Affairs to be the most prone to disasters. Natural disasters to which
the country is subjected include floods, drought, fire, and epidemics
of various diseases such as malaria, cholera and dengue fever. Man-made
disasters caused by war and civil strife has been a major problem for
much of the past 30 years and has resulted in large numbers of refugees
and internally displaced persons.
Safety is currently a
serious issue in areas where land mines have been planted. The greatest
threat to both people and wildlife is anti-personnel mines. About 6-9
million land mines have reportedly been planted throughout the country,
which killed or maimed an estimated 100 persons daily according to a
World Bank 1994 report. In addition, illegal logging often occurs under
armed guards. Ironically, the security problem has in some ways served
to protect natural habitats since 1980. While it has not been possible
to establish conservation programs in insecure zones, it also has not
been possible to undertake large-scale development in these areas -
with the significant exception of illegal activities. In working towards
demobilization of the militia, the government will seek to improve security
and decrease the occurrence of illegal activities.
Environmental security
is also concerned with flood prevention and control. In 2000, for example,
floods killed 800 people and caused severe human sufferings, serious
damage to infrastructure, major disruption of social and economic activities,
loss of agricultural land and crops. As flood prevention and rehabilitation
measures might have a considerable impact on natural habitats, it is
essential to include biodiversity concerns in their planning. For example,
the construction of dams and water reservoirs could reduce agriculture
productivity and fish production by altering the natural flow of water
(see section 3). Deforestation might accelerate soil erosion and increase
the occurrence of flash floods. Planting trees on riverbanks and preventing
watershed deforestation can reduce significantly the risks of catastrophic
flooding, soil erosion and landslide. Similarly, education of rural
people on environmental issues, in better farming practices and better
health and hygiene practices help reduce the risks of epidemics.
In June 1999, Cambodia
established the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) to
improve disaster management throughout the country through the collaboration
of several organizations and government agencies. Current work by NCDM
should lead to the adoption of an extensive disaster management strategy.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
(Incl.
tree planting on riverbanks and foothills, preventing deforestation,
etc.)
10.3 Creating environmental
security for integrated biodiversity water resources Management and
development. (NCDM, MOE, MOWRAM, MAFF, MRD, MLMUPC & MIME) (Incl.
Formulation and adoption of a coherent policy for the water sector as
whole, water resources use and development planning, economic instrument
for water resource management, establishment of protected areas, control
of floods, watershed, management, penalties.
10.4 Preventing the damage that may occur as a result of flood, drought, watershed, degradation, erosion and sedimentation to protect aquatic and fish resources and other biodiversity. (MOWRAM, MIME & MOE) (Incl. Construction / rehabilitation of bank protection work, dikes, provision of water storage facilities. and Prohibition or licensing of the filling of reservoir and of the obstruction of flow /drainage and prohibition sand mining on the bed and banks of water bodies. Promotion of the involvement of communities in activities aiming at the protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resource within watershed.
Context
Human activities are
constantly changing and affecting land and the landscape. The construction
of cities, villages, roads and the creation of ponds, terraces, dykes,
canals are among the most visible changes. Use of land and decisions
governing land use are extremely important as many decisions are irreversible
and may have major implications for future generations.
In Cambodia, land tenure
is governed by the 1992 Land Law. A new Land Law is ratified and promulgated
by the National Assembly in 2001. According to the Constitution, Cambodians
have access to property rights and have the full right to own and use
land for housing and cultivation. Concession land, which is defined
as land greater than five hectares, can be allocated for the production
of crops "to support the national economy". This concept is
further expanded into State Private and Public property in the new Land
Law.
Among the problems associated
with land in Cambodia are the small number of farmers who hold titles
over the land they live and work on; and the fact that priority is often
given to business development over farmers. Another area of concern
is the reclamation of wetland and forestland for agriculture, housing,
transportation or industrial development at the expense of the long-term
preservation of land systems and biodiversity. The absence of land use
policy framework, inadequate coordination among ministries and departments
dealing with natural resources and land use development as well as a
lack of accurate information to guide land use allocation are other
important issues that the government is facing. Expertise is also lacking
in this field within government agencies.
To optimize the use of
land resource, the government is seeking to consider social, environmental
and economic costs when considering the benefits of new land developments.
Any new development should also ensure compatibility of land-use allocation
with local communities who use or need access to the same piece of land.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Cambodia is generally considered a "water-wealthy" country, situated in the lower Mekong River basin. In terms of its annual water availability of nearly 50,000m3 per person, its gross water resource ranks third in Southeast Asia. However, this is only true on average. With a long dry season, many Cambodians face seasonal water shortages and resulting constraints on domestic water supply, hygiene and food production. At the same time, pollution by domestic livestock or human waste, fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture production and waste discharge from industries is putting considerable stress on water resources, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.
The construction of dams,
navigation channels, irrigation, river canalization and diversions and
bunded (raised) road networks can reduce fish and agriculture productivity
by altering sedimentation patterns, nutriment flow and fish migration.
Similarly, the degradation of riverbanks, lakeshores and riparian zones
leads to a deterioration of water quality.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority
Actions (coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Because of global warming,
the average sea level has risen by 10 to 25cm over the past 100 years.
Models project that sea level will rise another 15 to 95 cm by the year
2100. This will occur due to the thermal expansion of ocean water and
an influx of freshwater from melting glaciers and ice. Even if warming
is partly due to natural causes, evidence has showed that the massive
production of CO2 emissions and other green house gases through
human activities accelerate this pattern.
Effects of global warming
are expected to be particularly devastating in coastal areas and floodplains.
As the sea rise, flooding and coastal erosion will worsen and severely
impact on fisheries, Aquaculture and agriculture. Other sectors most
at risk are tourism, human settlements, and infrastructures. The expected
sea-level rise would inundate much of the world lowlands, damaging coastal
cropland and displacing millions of people from coastal and small island
communities. The average increase in temperature will also modify rainfall
patterns and cause changes in the composition and structure of ecosystems
as well as in the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species.
Cambodia's ecosystems
include low-lying agricultural, wetland and coastal areas, as well as
forest and mountainous areas that are vulnerable to the negative impacts
of climate change. As Cambodia's economy is largely dependent on agriculture,
and its biodiversity, in the form of natural resources, it is likely
that the country will be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
As a signatory party
to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Cambodia is now preparing
its first national communication to the Conference of the Parties.
Preparation of a Climate Change National Action Plan that will include
various mitigation and adaptation measures is currently underway. These
measures are based on the mitigation analysis and vulnerability and
adaptation assessment in priorities sectors such as agriculture, land
use change and forestry, and coastal zone.
Beside potential impacts
of climate change (sea level rise, temperature increase, change in precipitation,
climate extremes) on biodiversity, mitigation and adaptation measures
taken by man will potentially have also impacts on biodiversity).
One of the proposed mitigation measures, the establishment of carbon
sinks through measures involving the plantation of fast growing trees
or the creation of forest reserves, might be positive for biodiversity
if the species and areas chosen are carefully selected. Likewise, protection
measures against sea level rise and potential flooding including the
construction of dikes, dune restoration, wetland creation, and regulations
against new coastal development will also have to consider potential
impacts on natural ecosystems, fisheries and agriculture production.
Key issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives (indicators)
Priority Actions (coordinating
and participating agencies)
Context
According to the guiding principles of this strategy, the people of Cambodia have a responsibility for biodiversity conservation and to use biological resources in a sustainable manner. All Cambodians should therefore be encouraged to understand and appreciate the value of biodiversity and to participate in decisions involving the use of water, land, wildlife, agriculture, fisheries, forest and other resources.
Experience has shown that equitable gender representation, involvement and participation of local communities and concerned stakeholders is a prerequisite for successful conservation and sustainable resource use initiatives. Women's participation to decision making processes and to the active management of community resources is known to be essential to the successful development of local communities and households. Likewise, minority groups, communal and religious leaders, non-governmental organizations and the private sector have to be involved in resource planning and management schemes.
In Cambodia, a number of pilot projects are using community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) principles to varying degrees for community management of forestry and fishery resources, in different regions of the country. These projects demonstrated that CBNRM is indeed an extremely valuable option to address problems of rural poverty and environmental degradation. Positive results from these experiences are encouraging the government to expand CBNRM approach in fisheries and in forestry and initiate this approach in other sectors such as land use planning, wildlife management, protected areas, tourism, and agriculture. The government of Cambodia is undertaking a bold fishery reform policy whereby some 500,000 ha of prime commercial fishing grounds are being turned over to local communities for community-based management as of June 2001. Local communities playing the central role in identifying resources, defining development priorities, choosing and adapting technologies and implementing management practices, characterize the CBNRM approach. To ensure the success of CBNRM, support must be provided to build environmental awareness and help people organize their communities. Legal and institutional frameworks are needed that support the community's rights to use and protect their resources.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Increasing public awareness
and understanding of the importance of biological diversity is an essential
element in guaranteeing the effectiveness and goals of the efforts exerted
to conserve it and secure its sustainable use. Conservation efforts
can only bear fruit when the members of the society understand that
this biological heritage is essential to their own livelihood. To be
efficient, awareness and education activities have to be supported by
adequate scientific research and documentation.
Environmental education
in Cambodia has had a relative short history, and in the past been concentrated
on NGO activities. The most notable government activities of relevance
began with the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and the
Inter-ministerial Steering Committee for Environmental Education (IMSCEE)
in 1993. In the MOE, the department of Education and Communication is
chairing IMSCEE. The Steering Committee is responsible for all environmental
education programs for primary, secondary and monk education - the formal
education sector. Technical and financial assistance has been provided
for environmental education since 1993 by the United Nations and other
international organizations. Activities directly or indirectly related
to biodiversity include: training seminars and capacity building workshops,
production of a manual on environmental education for primary school
teachers, TV spots, posters, conducting a national environment day,
etc. At the moment however, the Steering Committee is not effective
due to lack of funding.
In addition to the initiatives
in the formal education sector, different ministries, international
organizations, international and local NGOs have carried out environmental
activities in the non-formal education sector. One example is the Integrated
Pest Management program that has been conducted at the community level
with assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Also
a program for monks was initiated in 1998 by an NGO working group under
the leadership of Ven. Nhem Kim Teng, one of Cambodia's leading ecologist
monks. The program aims to promote community-based environmental learning
and activities through the Buddhist Wat communities in the country.
Other community-based management pilot projects have developed educational
tools promoting better forestry and agriculture practices.
At the Royal University
of Phnom Penh a department of environmental sciences was opened in 2001.
It is expected that this department will undertake long due research
on environmental issues when funding is made available. The specific
role of the department relates to the development of Human Resources
related to environment.
So far, these initiatives
have reached only a limited proportion of the population. These efforts
need to be expanded to cover all regions of the country and reach everyone,
especially local communities living in areas of high biodiversity, including
range areas of threatened species.
Technical training aimed
at developing environmentally sound practices contributes to improve
the sustainability and productivity of resource based activities. Government
staff working in biodiversity related ministries and departments are
in need of capacity building. Training activities are much needed at
the technical and managerial level in forestry, agriculture, fisheries,
wildlife and protected area management.
While the implementation
of the Convention on biological diversity necessitates the establishment
and maintenance of programs for scientific and technical education and
training, there is a growing need for scientific research development
and coordination. Ministries, institutions and universities alike have
opportunities to undertake research activities concerning biological
resources. It is the intention of the government to promote and better
coordinate the development of such activities between ministries and
university departments.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
Addressing environmental
and biodiversity issues is a complex endeavor that require the concerted
efforts of most if not all government bodies including more specifically
Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,
Ministry of Finance, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Industry,
Mine and Energy, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Rural Development,
Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Water Resources, etc. These ministries
must also work closely with the university, agencies, and technical
institutes as well as the NGO and the private sector. As it is the case
with most governments around the world, their collective action often
suffers from jurisdiction overlap, fragmentation and inadequate co-ordination.
Institutional responsibilities between the MOE and MAFF are particularly
unclear with respect to conserving biodiversity and managing resources.
Lack of interministerial coordination has always been a strong impediment
to efficient integrated land use planning and other concerted efforts.
However, in April 2001, a National Biodiversity Steering Committee was
created in order to promote cooperation and coordination between relevant
institutions on biodiversity issues.
Existing legislation
concerning biodiversity is currently under revision in Cambodia; for
example, by-laws and regulations related to the 1996 Law on Environmental
Protection and Natural Resource Management are being prepared. This
revision will be done according to the following guidelines:
However imperfect, existing
legislation on the environment is not well known in the public, especially
in rural areas. There is a thus a definite need to better inform the
population of their responsibilities regarding the application of biodiversity
related legislation and regulations.
Finally, the enforcement
of existing legislation is somehow deficient in the country because
of unacceptable behavior and lack of accountability by some government
representatives. It is the intention of the Government to promote the
adoption of a more responsible attitude within the administration.
At the regional level,
Cambodia is an active member of the Agreement on the Cooperation for
the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin. The Government
will continue to cooperate fully with neighbor countries to fulfill
common environmental goals in a sustainable development perspective.
Internationally, Cambodia is a signatory party of several biodiversity
related conventions; the Government is committed to continue to play
an active role in the fulfillment of its obligations.
Key Issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives
(indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
Context
The 1997 Socio-economic
Survey of Cambodia indicated that 36% of the population live below the
poverty line based on the minimum need of 2,100 calories per person
per day. The survey also indicated that the poverty index is 11% in
Phnom Penh, 30% in other urban areas and 40% in rural area. nearly 90%
of the poor are farmers living in rural areas. The Royal Government
of Cambodia is aware of the dire poverty currently prevailing in the
country and considers poverty alleviation and the improvement of standards
of living as the main priorities.
In Cambodia, an overwhelming
majority depends upon agriculture, fishery and forestry as major source
of livelihood with most local farmers reliant upon subsistence farming
and foraging. The average rural household obtains food and generates
income through a combination of activities such as farming, hunting,
fishing and gathering wood and non-forest products. Other supplemental
sources of livelihood are livestock raising; primary processing of agricultural,
forestry and fishery products; odd jobs and vending. It is estimated
that crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry production accounted for
40.1% of Cambodia's GDP in 1999.
Despite the continuous
efforts of the Government to conserve and protect the environment and
the natural resource base, there are serious cases of resources depletion
and degradation. Intensive logging and illegal extraction of timber
has led in the past thirty years to a reduction of the forest cover
from about 90% to less than 50% of the land base. This intensive deforestation
has created land erosion problems and higher incidence of floods leading
to losses in fertile soils and crops. In the agricultural sector, inappropriate
use of pesticides is leading to the contamination of waters and fish
habitats, and degradation of other aquatic resources. Over harvesting
of wildlife has led to the near extinction of valuable food sources
including several species of wild animals and plants. Construction of
dams and other water management infrastructure is a constant menace
to the integrity of fish habitats. Industrial and urban pollution is
threatening the quality of life of the human population.
This National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan is highlighting the need for better planning
and management of biological resources in order to improve living conditions
and reduce poverty. Priority actions aimed at improving the capacity
of rural populations to protect and use sustainably their natural resource
base must be considered as key contributions to reduce poverty.
Key issues:
Goals
Strategic Objectives (indicators)
Options
Priority Actions
(coordinating and participating agencies)
(incl. women's capacity
building).
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