https://cambodia.wcs.org RSS feeds for WCS Cambodia 60 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15921/bamboo-producer-group-is-happy-to-see-their-business-keep-growing.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15921 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15921&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15921/bamboo-producer-group-is-happy-to-see-their-business-keep-growing.aspx Sales of bamboo ornaments and utensils crafted by the Bamboo Producer Group in Sre Preah Community Protected Area (CPA) increased almost four times from $212 in 2019 to $806 in 2020.The reasons for this increase in income were that the Bamboo Producer Group diversified the bamboo products being made and improved their quality as a result of training delivered under the USAID KSCP, as well as behavior change in consumers who stopped using plastic items and switched to bamboo.Sre Preah Bamboo Producer Group - a community-based enterprise - was established in September 2018 with support from USAID, REDD+ and CAMPAS (GEF 6) projects, with an aim to (i) improve livelihoods of the group members; (ii) demonstrate sustainable use of bamboo resources in Sre Preah CPA; and (iii) incentivize reforestation of degraded areas with bamboo in Sre Preah CPA. The main business activities of the group include propagating and transplanting bamboo on degraded land, and creating bamboo handicrafts for sale.The group is comprised of 27 members, including 15 women from three villages - Pu Char, Pu Kong and O Chra - in Sre Preah commune, Keo Seima District of Mondulkiri Province. Items crafted by the group include kettle, mug, cup, candle holder, tissue box, clothes hanger, mobile phone speaker, pen holder, kitchen storage container, flower pot, and more.The Sre Preah Bamboo Producer Group was established and is supported by the USAID Keo Seima Conservation Project (USAID KSCP), being implemented by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia. The group manages 69 hectares of bamboo in Sre Preah CPA, containing four species of bamboo known locally as russey thngor, russey prey, russey khley, and russey roleak. Group members have received training on sustainable bamboo harvesting techniques, business plan development, inventory skills, benefit sharing, and financial management.The revenue from sales of bamboo products is used by group members for household expenses, and a portion is invested in forest conservation in the CPA. The group hope to continue selling processed bamboo, expand the area under bamboo cultivation by using bamboo to reforest degraded land throughout the CPA, and are assessing market demand and production feasibility for other bamboo products.  Read this article in Khmer      rleak@wcs.org Thu, 18 Mar 2021 03:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15921 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15922/bunong-indigenous-villages-in-keo-seima-wildlife-sanctuary-are-suffering-from-human-elephant-conflict.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15922 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15922&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15922/bunong-indigenous-villages-in-keo-seima-wildlife-sanctuary-are-suffering-from-human-elephant-conflict.aspx A handful of Bunong indigenous villages located in or on the edge of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (formally known as Seima Protected Forest) are suffering from human-elephant conflict, which in this case is when elephants enter their farms and eating and/or damaging their crops. This is a recent problem with the elephants only causing this intensity of damage over the last 2 – 3 years. The likely causes of this issue are loss and disturbance of elephant habitat from forest clearance and illegal logging. Elephants have extremely large home ranges recorded from 50 km2 in Sri Lanka up to 1000 km2 in India, and disturbance to these areas can cause significant changes in movement patterns and behaviour.WCS in partnership with the Government of Cambodia have been working to assess the impact and possible solutions to deal with this issue. Human-elephant conflict occurs in every country Asian elephants are found, and finding solutions to this problem is extremely difficult. One of the best ways to reduce the scale of conflict is to prevent it in the first place, by ensuring elephant habitat is protected, and not disturbed or destroyed.In 2015, during the months the elephants were raiding crops, a WCS camera trap being used to investigate wildlife diversity around the village of Andong Kralong captured a young calf washing in a small forest pool close to the village. meng@wcs.org Wed, 08 Jun 2016 03:12:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15922 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15925/measuring-deforestation-in-the-northern-plains.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15925 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15925&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15925/measuring-deforestation-in-the-northern-plains.aspx A new study released by the Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that the annual rate of deforestation in the Northern Plains 'conservation landscape' is significantly lower than deforestation rate in those parts of the landscape that are not the focus of conservation activities. The annual rate of forest loss for the conservation area was 0.19% between 2002 and 2010, compared to a figure almost ten times higher for the surrounding Buffer Area (1.67%).Seven main landscape features associated with deforestation were identified from a qualitative analysis: towns; existing villages; new villages created by immigrants; military concessions and bases; roads; forest and soil type; and agro-industrial concessions. Remoteness of each landscape sector appears to be a key characteristic, which limits the rate of deforestation. Adequate finance for management is also a necessary characteristic to control deforestation. As a whole, the landscape is becoming less and less remote due to road improvements, leading to increased levels of deforestation over time. Buffer Areas in the Northern Plains landscape may continue to suffer high rates of deforestation in future years.Improving motivation for maintaining the integrity of conservation areas by generating revenue from sales of carbon credits from such sites may be an effective tool for limiting future deforestation. Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15925 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15924/indigenous-land-tenure-in-mondulkiri.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15924 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15924&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15924/indigenous-land-tenure-in-mondulkiri.aspx Securing land tenure will help stabilise land-use in the Seima Protection Forest (SPF). This is one of WCS and the FA's key strategies in the SPF as it will protect forests, and the wildlife that depend on them as well as maintaining critically important cultural values. The film was produced with the general assistance of Danida, DfID, NZAid and The Asia Foundation Thu, 16 Dec 2010 03:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15924 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15923/seima-protection-forest-cambodia.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15923 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15923&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15923/seima-protection-forest-cambodia.aspx This film introduces the Seima Protection Forest (SPF) and the work of the Forestry Administration (FA) to develop a program to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD).The REDD project aims to provide a sustainable source of financing for the SPF through the payment of carbon credits from avoided deforestation. This film introduces the main concepts of REDD and shows how this will benefit the globally important biodiversity and social values of the SPF.The film was produced with assistance from WCS and Winrock International Thu, 16 Dec 2010 03:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15923 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15926/ibis-rice.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15926 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15926&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15926/ibis-rice.aspx Wildlife Friendly Ibis Rice is planted at the beginning of the rainy season, part of the daily life of farming families living in remote villages in or near protected areas.Once harvested, the village marketing network committee members buy rice from farmers who have followed the rules.Paddy rice is transported to a mill in Siem Reap where the milling, packaging and marketing is overseen by Sansom Mlup Prey.This video is a brief overview of the different participants in the program, from farmers to ministry officials and a few supporting businesses. Fri, 26 Nov 2010 03:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15926 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15927/the-dangers-of-photographing-elephants.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15927 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15927&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15927/the-dangers-of-photographing-elephants.aspx The photo above show what happens when an elephant decides he does not to be photographed. This is a remote camera that was installed by a research team from the Seima Protection Forest at a mineral lick to capture images of wildlife using the area. A sequence of images was captured of two females elephants and two calves passing the camera, before an adult male followed along the same path. However, the adult male realized that the camera was present, and decided that he did not want to be photographed, tearing the camera from its position and throwing it to the ground.More photos can be seen at: http://www.facebook.com/wcscambodia.fb?v=photosStudying wildlife in dense forest is difficult as visibility is often very poor. The use of remote cameras, or 'camera-trapping', enables researchers to detect the presence of many species which are normally very wary of humans. Camera trapping requires a significant degree of skill and experience to ensure that the cameras are set correctly at the paths and salt licks that target species are likely to use. It can also be hazardous for the cameras, as this photo demonstrates! Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15927 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15928/conservation-through-literacy.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15928 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15928&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15928/conservation-through-literacy.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, in collaboration with World Education, Inc., have started an innovative project using literacy programs to support conservation efforts. The project began in January 2010 and is being piloted in the villages of Sre Levi and Andoung Kraloeng in the Seima Protection Forest (SPF), Mondulkiri.Preliminary investigations carried out by World Education in 2009 revealed that illiteracy and innumeracy are a significant barrier to the successful implementation of community-based conservation efforts. Most of the adult population in the SPF cannot read, and it is thought that perhaps 95% of the population cannot carry out simple mathematics. Acquisition of functional literacy is a crucial step in the process of improved livelihoods and alleviation of poverty for the residents of the SPF. Achievement of functional literacy will enable participants to read and write in the Khmer language—Cambodia's lingua franca and the language of commerce—as well as gain competency in basic numeracy. Without these basic, foundational skills, making any sustainable improvements in livelihood skills or attendant knowledge is far more difficult. These skills are essential to the successful implementation of many conservation interventions from the marketing and sale of timber, to the completion of land tenure paperwork, and the equitable distribution of benefits from the sale of carbon credits. More fundamentally World Education's experience with similar financial literacy and livelihoods programs elsewhere in Cambodia, as well as in Nepal, East Timor, India and elsewhere have illustrated the importance of literacy as a building block for further empowerment activities. The ability to read documents, make notes and do simple computation allows learners to more easily grasp and retain other complex, skills-based learning over the long term, helps with critical thinking and enables them to engage in transactions and negotiations on an equal footing with others in the economic sphere outside the confines of their village.The project works in partnership with the Provincial and District Departments of Education and is supporting their efforts in non-formal education in Mondulkiri. In addition, community-level literacy working groups play an integral role in providing monitoring support to literacy classes and facilitators. Implementation is taking place in several phases. Phase one (January to March 2010) saw the development of a syllabus, identification of learners and recruitment of teachers. Phase two (April to October 2010) involves the preliminary teaching of functional literacy in two villages, and phase three will see the introduction of financial literacy. By June 2010 the successes of the project are becoming clear. Forty-three adults are now regularly attending classes in two villages, and all of them have passed the first stage of standardised literacy tests. Extra classes have been added to cover topics outside the standard syllabus such as land rights, and environmental education. Some challenges remain however. Progress has been slower than hoped, and the syllabus has been adapted to accommodate this, and the onset of the rainy season has reduced attendance as some learners are working in their fields. To address this, the teachers and working group members now also carry out follow up home-visits.This pilot project will run until October 2011. During that time a local NGO partner will be identified and trained to continue implementation into the future. Lessons learned in the pilot will be incorporated and it is hoped that the program can be expanded to villages throughout the SPF.Conservation through Literacy is funded with generous support from The MacArthur Foundation and World Education Inc. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:46:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15928 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15930/landscape-planning-in-mondulkiri.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15930 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15930&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15930/landscape-planning-in-mondulkiri.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) work in Cambodia focuses on a suite of conservation areas including the Seima Protection Forest (SPF) in southern Mondulkiri province. Conserving these areas is however not just a question of improving their management, they also depend on the landscape that surrounds them. Asian Elephants move with the seasons, spreading widely in the wet season to search for food. Vultures travel huge distances to find carrion. For these and other species the boundaries of a conservation area are irrelevant. In addition conservation areas are threatened by the impacts of development around them. In-migration and inappropriate development can put pressure on forests and wildlife as migrants and those displaced by other activities look for land and resources.To help address these problems WCS is working with the Mondulkiri Provincial government and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to assess the impact of development activities and to advise on appropriate land-use throughout the province. The partnership has established a full-time Provincial Conservation Planning Advisor and facilitated the government to set up a Provincial Conservation Planning Unit (PCPU) within the office of the Mondulkiri Provincial Governor. The advisor's role is to ensure that natural resource conservation become integrated with many more provincial activities.One of the main duties of the PCPU has been the development of a biodiversity conservation corridor strategy. This was developed as part of a regional program supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to identify biodiversity corridors to offset the impact of proposed economic development zones. The project aimed to identify the most important areas of the province for biodiversity, areas that are vital to linking them and maintaining them, strategies for their conservation and recommendations for suitable development approaches. The outputs have included a series of maps that highlighted the importance of the conservation area core zones for biodiversity, a review of the impacts of development activities and a provincial level plan that identifies areas critical for conservation and those that can be developed. Most of this strategy lies within the existing conservation areas network, and will be implemented through zonation of these areas. Some other areas, such as links between Phnom Prich and Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuaries that are outside the conservation area network, have also been highlighted. The PCPU has recommended that the forest cover is maintained in these zones, perhaps through the development of community forestry areas.This corridor strategy is a landscape level land-use plan that will help guide development for many years. It is designed to maintain large areas of forest, and maintain connectivity between different management units. It covers the full range of ecosystems from the evergreen forests of the southern Annamite range to the wetlands and channels of the Srepok river. This scale and connectivity should help maintain viable ecosystems that may be more resilient to climate change. As such this strategy now also forms the basis an ecosystem-based approach to climate change adaptation in Mondulkiri.The PCPU continues to advise the provincial government on the impact of concessions, mining, road building and other developments. The corridor strategy will be implemented in 2010 in preparation for a proposed continuation of the ADB project. The PCPU is supported by the Asian Development Bank through the Greater Mekong Subregion Core Environment Program Biodiversity Corridors Initiative, the MacArthur Foundation and the Multi-Donor Livelihoods Facility's Civil Society and Pro-poor Marketing Program. Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15930 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15929/supporting-civil-society-in-preah-vihear-and-mondulkiri.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15929 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15929&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15929/supporting-civil-society-in-preah-vihear-and-mondulkiri.aspx The Civil Society and Pro-Poor Markets (CSPPM) program is a three-year project that has been operating in 13 provinces since 2007. As one component of the Multi-donor Livelihood Facility's natural resource management and livelihoods program it is designed to help support rural communities to improve the management of their natural resources. The program has three main aspects: to improve the quality of community-based natural resource management; to increase the 'voice' of communities to help them engage with local authorities and Commune Councils; and to improve the business skills of community groups. This has been achieved through the formation and support of Community-based Organisations (CBOs), groups of people organised around a common enterprise or goal.The Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program (WCS) has been leading the implementation of this ambitious program in Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri. In addition to their own activities WCS supports five NGOs in Mondulkiri and five in Preah Vihear. In turn the program assists 79 CBOs across both provinces. The CBOs are carrying out a wide range of activities including:Farmer groups on the Sen Monorom plateau who are working together to learn new agricultural techniques from the NGO ATSA, and pool production to garner higher prices;Indigenous tenure groups in Mondulkiri aiming for recognition by the Ministry of Interior and registrations of their communal land;Honey collection groups in Mondulkiri, supported by WWF, who are increasing the quality and productivity of their wild honey harvests, and earning higher incomes selling honey to outside markets;Ecotourism committees in the Seima Protection Forest, Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary and Preah Vihear Protected Forest who are working with the Sam Vaesna Center to attract birdwatching tourists to their remote villages;Community forestry groups in Mondulkiri and Preah Vihear;Community Protected Area committees who are engaging with the Ministry of Environment to secure community management of sections of Wildlife Sanctuaries, and;Resin collecting groups in Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri who are pooling production to demand higher prices from traders.As the program draws to an end in late 2010 it is becoming clear that in many situations the groups have been greatly strengthened. Incomes have been increased in many cases, and the communities feel more able to demand action from their representative Commune Councils. More work will be needed with most of the groups to ensure their long-term sustainability and independence, but through the CSPPM program WCS has been able to support natural resource management in target landscapes, and the wider region. Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15929 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15931/resin-tapping-in-the-northern-plains.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15931 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15931&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15931/resin-tapping-in-the-northern-plains.aspx Resin tappers collect resin throughout the forests of the Northern Plains of Preah Vihear. This activity is a very important source of income for community members as resin tappers can earn US$100-600 per month. Resin tappers often disturb wildlife by camping at waterholes, they start forest fires and engage in hunting both opportunistically and commercially. Addressing the illegal activity associated with resin-tapping is necessary to improve the conservation status of the landscape. As resin-tapping is so lucrative for community members, it is not socially or financially feasible to stop resin collection. Additionally, resin tappers know the forest intimately and can avoid law enforcement patrols and guide hunters easily. Finding a mechanism to improve cooperation of resin tappers is therefore required for effective management and to reduce management costs.WCS, working with the Forestry Administration, has developed two activities to improve cooperation of resin tappers in the forest. The first was to provide chits which village chiefs were asked to give to tappers when they enter the forest for which chiefs were paid $10 a month. This helped patrol teams stop people from non-traditional user villages claiming ownership of new trees. This system was implemented in four villages in 2009 and on average 47 people per village per month have been taking chits. It has since been expanded to a total of nine villages. Tappers from villages close to the forest tend to visit in smaller groups and for shorter periods compared to those villages further away. This has implications for management as groups staying longer in the forest will tend to subsist more on forest resources such as wildlife. Importantly, the chit system seems to be an effective and cheap method of monitoring access to the forest by tappers.The other main activity was to mark and locate each resin tree owned by community members in part of the landscape. This helped tappers understand the value of demonstrating their ownership over tapping rights in the areas that they have traditionally used. The results also show that it is possible to identify specific camping sites for tapping areas. Introduction of camping regulations and monitoring by patrol teams will reduce threats to wildlife. An important potential benefit for development of sustainable management is that resin tappers are site specific: each tapper can be made responsible for monitoring and even preventing illegal activities in their tapping area. If tapper are questioned every time illegal activities occur in their individual tapping areas it will encourage tappers to try and reduce such illegal activities. Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:54:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15931 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15935/surveying-local-communities-in-seima.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15935 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15935&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15935/surveying-local-communities-in-seima.aspx Forestry Administration and WCS Project staff in Seima conduct regular surveys of the local communities that live in and around the Seima Protectoin Forest. The latest study describes the communities as they were in early 2008. In particular we sought to find out information on livelihoods and how many community-based organisations were present in the landscape. The report also reviews information on agri-business and mining exploration concessions, which are likely to be key drivers of demographic change in the future.The total population in the then Seima Biodiversity Conservation Areas in 2008 was estimated as about 16,600, a density of 5.4 people/km2. These are moderately large populations that create a major challenge for management. These numbers also give an approximate measure of the number of people likely to be benefitting directly from use of the SPF, since almost all families in the SPF farm and collect forest products there, whilst many people in the neighbourhood zone also go into the SPF to collect forest productsA major revision of the boundaries of the SPF was undertaken as part of the new sub-decree that elevated the status of the reserve in August 2009. Under the new boundaries, human populations in the reserve was reduced by excluding nine villages. Overall this will simplify some aspects of management, and in particular will remove the overlap with the provincial capital. The total population of the SPF in 2008 is approximately 12,800 (4.2/km2), including 4700 (3.0/km2) in the new Core Protection Forest, while the population of the 5 km neighbourhood zone is an additional 25,600 (21/km2).The overall population growth of the study area averaged 5.8% per year over 2003-2008. This growth is far higher than can be achieved through a surplus of births over deaths and indicates high rates of in-migration. The national average growth rate was 1.81% in 2004 and this is probably a useful benchmark for natural rates of growth in modern day Cambodia. 60% of the growth in the study area was in parts of just two communes, Sre Khtum (an extraordinary 43% of all growth) and Khseum. The province as a whole grew at 4.3% per year over this period, showing that migration is not only concentrated in and around the SPF. Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15935 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15933/seima-protection-forest-declared.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15933 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15933&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15933/seima-protection-forest-declared.aspx On August 7th 2009 the Royal Government of Cambodia's highest legislative body, the Council of Ministers declared the creation of the Seima Protection Forest (SPF). At 2,926 km2 this is the largest new protected area created in Cambodia since 2002. This development marks the culmination of over three years of lobbying on the part of SPF managers to secure additional legal support for the SPF as the draft sub-decree was reviewed and approved by a range of Cambodian government agencies, including the Forestry Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and finally the Council of Ministers itself.As a result of the new sub-decree, the status of the site has been changed from Production Forest to Protection Forest, and some idiosyncrasies in the boundaries of the SPF have been corrected. The new Core Protection Forest covers all key wildlife habitat that was covered by the previous SBCA Core Area, whilst also expanding westward to incorporate an area reported to have part the last remaining Eld's Deer population in the site. The SPF will include a Buffer Protection Forest where local communities will be authorized to engage in the sustainable exploitation of their natural resources, although the details governing issues such as zonation will not be confirmed until the preparation of the SPF management plan.The SPF is the first protected area in Cambodia that explicitly states the protection of bio-carbon as one of its key roles. WCS is now working with the Forestry Administration to develop a model for the reduction of green house gas emissions through the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) mechanism. Since February WCS and FA have been carrying out extensive surveys to measure the carbon stocks held by the SPF to help measure the potential value of the area. It is possible that income from payments for this and other environmental services could provide significant funds to help support conservation and rural poverty alleviation programs in and around the SPF. Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15933 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15932/wild-cattle-in-the-seima-protection-forest.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15932 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15932&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15932/wild-cattle-in-the-seima-protection-forest.aspx Wildlife surveys in the newly extended core area of Seima Protection Forest started earlier this year and they have been yielding exciting results. One of the most interesting of these has been an unusual encounter with a large herd of one of SPF's most endangered species, Banteng.Banteng, one of Cambodia's three species of wild cattle, once occurred from southern China across mainland Southeast Asia, Peninsular Malaysia and parts of Indonesia. However, the species now persists only in greatly reduced and isolated populations, many of which are in decline. Banteng have been heavily hunted over the last few decades, for meat, trophies and medicinal use, and these threats are exacerbated by rapid habitat loss. The species is listed by IUCN as Endangered and, although the exact number is not known, it is probable that there are less than 8 000 individuals remaining in the wild.In his accounts of expeditions to Northern Cambodia during the 1950's, biologist Charles Wharton likens the landscape to the game lands of Africa as he describes huge herds of wild cattle, including Banteng, roaming the savannah forest. This is sometimes difficult to imagine today as Cambodia's wild cattle have been subjected to many of the same pressures affecting the species elsewhere in the region. Despite this there are parts of the country, in particular the open forests in the northern and eastern provinces, which still retain populations of wild cattle.Wild cattle such as Banteng play a crucial role in many ecological processes, such as large seed dispersal and the maintenance of habitat structures. In addition to playing the part of "ecological architects" Banteng constitute a critical food source for many carnivore species, such as Tiger, Leopard and Dhole. The probable extinction of the Kouprey, another of Cambodia's wild cattle species which has not been seen since the 80's, further highlights the urgency of conservation actions focusing on Banteng populations.Mondulkiri province in Eastern Cambodia has become one of the last strongholds of Banteng in Indochina, and the Seima Protection Forest is recognised as a globally important site for the conservation of this species. Banteng is one of a number priority species in SPF which are monitored annually using line transect surveys. Line transects are essentially fixed survey routes which are walked repeatedly by skilled field staff who record observations of target species. These data are used to estimate the total number of animals present in the core area. Over time managers can assess whether populations are increasing, decreasing or remaining stable, and use this information to guide and evaluate management actions.The similarity in appearance of Banteng to many breeds of domestic cattle belies its shy nature and these animals are rarely seen, even by field staff who spend much of their time in the forest. In the last round of surveys Banteng were observed on just 11 occasions, despite the fact that the biological monitoring team walked just under 1500km on transects. Such encounters that do occur often only afford the briefest glimpse of an animal before it disappears into the dense cover that herds like to keep close to. However, earlier this season one of the team leaders, Sot Vandouen, managed to capture video footage of the elusive Banteng during a transect survey. This was an area which had not previously been surveyed and the observation was all the more exciting as he counted a total of 21 animals, which is the highest number of individuals recorded in any Banteng encounter in SPF.Not only does this record provide further confirmation of the presence of healthy breeding herds but it also makes it a little easier to imagine these forests being restored to their former glory, as described by Wharton half a century ago.The biological monitoring work in SPF is made possible through support from Eleanor Briggs, Ellyssa Kellerman and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15932 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15937/the-history-of-the-kouprey.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15937 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15937&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15937/the-history-of-the-kouprey.aspx The extraordinary history of the Kouprey (Bos sauveli), a species of wild cattle, has left it as one of the most enigmatic large mammals in Asia. There was surprise in the scientific community that such a large mammal should be described as late as 1937 from Cambodia, a relatively accessible country. Very little scientific information was available on this species until the mid 1950s when Charles Wharton organized an expedition to study and capture the species in Preah Vihear, northern Cambodia. Wharton's report contains almost the sole ecological data for the species.Wharton was unsuccessful in his attempt to capture the Kouprey and the species disappeared into the fog of war and military occupation which devastated Cambodia for so many years. Uncertainty continued to surround the Kouprey, despite its absence from the scientific record. In the 21st century debate arose over its status as species with some authors considering it a hybrid between domestic cattle and Banteng (Bos javanicus) (Galbreath et al. 2006). This debate was terminated upon discovery of a skull of Kouprey from the Pleistocene (pre-dating domestication) (Vithayanon & Bhumpakphan 2004) and from genetic analysis (Hassanin & Ropiquet 2007).WCS is currently conducting surveys to ascertain whether the species is still present in the Northern Plains of Cambodia. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15937 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15936/what-is-a-community-management-committee.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15936 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15936&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15936/what-is-a-community-management-committee.aspx Community Management Committees (CMCs) are community groups that have been established to become the caretakers of Integrated Farming & Biodiversity Areas (BFCAs). Four committees have been formed, with six members in each committee, representing between one and three villages. The villages represented are villages that are considered main user villages of the BFCAs, with members elected from each of the villages in question.The CMCs have several responsibilities. The CMCs work closely with the Executive Secretariat (essentially the IFBA project team, supported by WCS) who are currently involved in daily management of the BFCAs, and who report to a commission group composed of representatives from relevant government offices (currently at provincial level). In the future it is the hope that district level commissions can be set up and the CMCs will coordinate with them directly.The CMCs monitor the situation in the BFCAs, work towards reducing illegal activities through collaboration with local authorities, conduct awareness-raising activities among their community, facilitate relations between the community and project and government stakeholders, and will soon be involved in preparing a management plan for the BFCAs.We are also working towards making the CMCs financially sustainable. We have initiated an ecotourism initiative, together with the Sam Veasna Center (SVC), who are specialized in arranging birdwatching tours. Under this initiative, SVC uses members from the CMCs as local guides, so that they can generate income, both for themselves and for the CMC's operating budget. SVC pays a $10 contribution per tourist to a community fund whenever tourists see the Bengal Florican during their visits to the BFCAs. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15936 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15938/surveying-alternative-sites-for-the-mangrove-terrapin.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15938 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15938&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15938/surveying-alternative-sites-for-the-mangrove-terrapin.aspx A rapid field-based assessment of the the Sre Ambel river and surrounding areas was implemented in late 2008 by a collaborative team comprising members of Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Conservation International–Cambodia (CI), the Forestry Administration (FA) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE).The survey, which lasted approximately four weeks, primarily focused on the numerous river valleys punctuating the coast and on a select group of focal species, and included two days of aerial overflight in a small aircraft, opportunistic observational small boat and foot based surveys, informal interviews with local communities, and limited live-trapping for turtles.The survey team concluded that the Sre Ambel river system is still in reasonably good condition in comparison to other regional river systems, although most riparian habitats had been severely degraded. They also noted several human settlements, although human population densities were lower than those of the Mekong river systems. Although the Sre Ambel river system was still considered to be the most significant known river system for Mangrove Terrapins, the team concluded that it would be impossible to prevent major development of the river system in the long-term, and alternative rivers should be identified for the release of hatchlings in the future. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15938 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15943/community-based-production-forestry-a-model-for-forest-management.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15943 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15943&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15943/community-based-production-forestry-a-model-for-forest-management.aspx The Community-based Production Forestry (CPF) pilot project seeks to demonstrate that a community-based enterprise is a realistic model for future forest management in Cambodia. Its aim is to provide timber for the market, satisfy government stakeholders, and address community concerns at the same time. The CPF model addresses the crucial social issues of the emerging community forestry sector (such as decentralized/local decision-making, customary use and local tenure), yet also takes into account the commercial aspects required to conduct a responsible business including sufficient attention to scale and volume, market preferences, and the conditions which enable investment in technology, management planning and equipment.This model takes its primary direction from forest enterprise models around the world, particularly those of Mexico where over 80% of the country's 63 million ha forest estate are managed through government supported Community Forest Enterprises (CFE). As seen in the agricultural sector, small and medium scale enterprise represents one of the most effective ways to trigger broad-based job creation and rural development. The CPF model was designed with the underlying belief that Cambodia is best served by developing medium-sized forestry businesses that are able to operate legally, with social and ecological integrity, and meet the standards required by responsible buyers in the international or domestic markets.Outputs of the pilot project are strategic for Cambodia's forest sector reform process. Information and feedback generated by the project will enable the Forest Administration to:Develop experience of how new arrangements for legal forest based businesses, benefit sharing and decentralized decision-making can reduce social conflict, improve governance, and encourage sound long-term management of highly contentious and sought after forest resources.Explore mechanisms which can support the government goals of poverty reduction, enterprise development and employment by linking forest management and community livelihoods to responsible forest management in a reinforcing manner. This can inform policy directions.Identify the silviculture and product/species mix which Cambodia's forests can sustain.Participate in the trade (primarily domestic but possibly international) of timber products with the highest of social, environmental and ecological production standards.Determine the actual costs and benefits associated with low impact, environmentally and socially responsible commercial forest management in the context of Cambodia. Such information is vital for establishing an appropriate and commercially viable royalty rate on timber products (a key to sector reform and national planning)Establish realistic harvesting standards (e.g. examples of low impact practices on the ground) and silvicultural systems to restore natural forest values through attention to regeneration and planting of native species. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15943 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15942/surveying-pileated-gibbons-in-the-northern-plains.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15942 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15942&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15942/surveying-pileated-gibbons-in-the-northern-plains.aspx Gibbon surveys have been conducted in Preah Vihear Protected Forest and its periphery from 2006 to 2009, with important populations discovered in the area. Pileated gibbons feed mostly on fruits and shoots, and unsurprisingly the majority were found in denser, evergreen and riverine forest. However, an important number were also found in drier deciduous forest. The density was estimated at 0.3 groups per km2. This is low compared to other sites, but may reflect the large proportion of dry forest in this site. The actual density inside preferred evergreen forest may therefore be higher.Further surveys of Pileated Gibbons are planned in 2010 in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary and periphery, which lie west of Preah Vihear Protected Forest. This area is known to contain gibbons, but has never been properly surveyed. It will also provide information on the distribution of other species such as gaur, banteng and silvered langurs.Pileated Gibbons Hylobates pileatus are endangered in their small range in mainland South-East Asia as a result of habitat loss and hunting. Much of their former habitat in the region has been cleared and the gibbon populations that remain are threatened as fragmentation of the forest increases access for hunters. The Northern Plains of Cambodia are one of the most important remaining landscapes for this species, indeed many agricultural and social concessions are planned for the north of the country and this may be one of the few sites which protects this species in this region. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15942 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15941/policies-for-sustainable-harvesting-of-watersnakes.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15941 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15941&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15941/policies-for-sustainable-harvesting-of-watersnakes.aspx WCS is working with the Cambodian Fisheries Administration (FiA) to develop a strategy for the sustainable harvesting of watersnakes in the Tonle Sap Lake. This comes after research indicated that the emergent snake 'fishery' occurring on Tonle Sap Lake resulted in an estimated 6.9 million snakes (mostly homalopsids) being removed annually, representing the world's largest exploitation of a single snake assemblage. Interviews with hunters suggest that snake catches could have declined by as much as 80% between 2000 and 2005, raising strong concerns about the sustainability of this hunting operation.A workshop was held in late 2008 to discuss the threat of snake hunting and trade on Tonle Sap, and to examine future management options for the sustainable use of snakes. As a result a series of recommendations to prevent the continuing decline of this resource was produced.The workshop focused on the results of a long-running study on the hunting and trade of water snakes from Tonle Sap Lake. This study has important implications for the management of natural resources within the Tonle Sap Basin. The study took place over a period of four years, from 2004 to 2008, and was conducted in collaboration with both FiA and MoE. Monitoring programs set up during this study are now being conducted by WCS and continue to provide catch and trade statistics. This study uses variables such as the life history traits of water snakes and the timing of the hunting season to make predictions concerning the sustainability of the exploitation. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15941 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15940/engaging-local-communities-in-conservation.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15940 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15940&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15940/engaging-local-communities-in-conservation.aspx Many local communities in Cambodia have little control over the management of their land and other natural resources, and consequently little incentive to actively engage in the conservation of these areas. WCS and government partners have pioneered efforts to help local communities obtain land tenure rights, and engage in economic activities such as ecotourism and the cultivation of wildlife-friendly produce, that are compatible with conservation. In this way, local communities have an economic incentive to engage in conservation.Rural communities rarely possess legal tenure for their land, even when they have inhabited an area for many years. The country's legal system was devastated by more than three decades of civil conflict, while low levels of education and literacy in the countryside mean that rural communities are often unaware of their land rights. As a result, they are vulnerable to illegal 'land grabbing' by a rich and powerful elite who hope to benefit from high land prices and weak law enforcement to seize rural land for subsequent re-sale at a substantial profit. This means that rural communities have little incentive to manage their land sustainably.There is also little economic incentive to manage land efficiently. Most villagers are small-scale farmers who cultivate rain-fed paddy rice during the wet season, for sale to traders and middle men. These farmers use low input and low output agricultural systems suited to their subsistence existence. The communities are often geographically isolated, with very few traders visiting the village; as a result, those that do make the journey are able to set very low prices for the rice they purchase. Since farmers also have no access to credit, they often resort to borrowing money from these traders to purchase the following season's rice crop, further enhancing their dependence on them.With growing human populations, the pressure on land resources is increasing, leading to widespread forest clearance in key conservation sites and protected areas, and conflicts between communities and government agencies responsible for conservation. Community members have little incentive to abide by national laws, particularly those that protect the forest estate.Successful wildlife and habitat conservation therefore depends on engaging them through tools that directly link local economic and social development to environmental conservation, particularly limiting deforestation. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15940 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15939/estimating-carbon-stocks-in-the-seima-protection-forest.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15939 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15939&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15939/estimating-carbon-stocks-in-the-seima-protection-forest.aspx The production of verifiable carbon credits requires an estimation of the net change in carbon emissions resulting from a climate change mitigation project. To estimate this change, the actual emissions that take place over the life of a project are compared with the modelled projection of emissions under the 'without project' or 'baseline' case. Formulation of this baseline case requires an estimate of carbon stock within the project site and also an estimate of the expected carbon stock of future land cover scenarios in the event of deforestation.Between April and November of 2009, a joint FA and WCS field team, led by Mr. Nut Menghor of the FA, completed a number of inventories in the Seima Protection Forest (SPF) site to estimate carbon stocks. An initial pilot survey of 57 forest plots was conducted in order to inform the subsequent survey design.This was followed by a forest inventory designed to obtain representative sample of carbon stock values from across the site. A total of 228 forest plots were surveyed over the course of three months, a notable achievement given the inaccessibility of the site and the difficulty of the forest terrain.22 plots were then surveyed in an area adjacent to the project site in order to calculate the expected carbon stock of future land cover scenarios in the event of deforestation. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15939 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15950/camera-trapping-tigers.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15950 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15950&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15950/camera-trapping-tigers.aspx Remote cameras are being used to try and confirm the location of Tigers within the Seima Protection Forest (SPF). Paired Camera-traps are distributed across the SPF, and are automatically triggered when a Tiger walks between the two cameras.Camera-traps are situated in suitable locations within the SPF. Trapping locations are areas that are likely to be used by tigers, such as trails, old logging roads and dried river beds. Following a decade of field activities in the SPF, conservation project staff are experienced in identifying suitable areas.Camera-trapping takes place annually between December and March, the middle of the dry season; access to most areas of the SPF is possible during these months. Cameras are inspected on a regular basis to check the photos that have been captured. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15950 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15949/safeguarding-tiger-habitat.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15949 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15949&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15949/safeguarding-tiger-habitat.aspx A key proposal in the effort to protect Tigers in the Seima Protection Forest is the creation of 'strict protection zones'. These are areas where resource gathering will be prohibited and access strictly controlled.At present residents of local villages have traditional rights to harvest non-timber forest products, principally tree resin, bamboo, rattan and fish, from all parts of the SPF. This is allowed under the Forestry Law, and is part of overall goal of the project to secure livelihoods for local people. In addition to this some villagers graze domestic buffalo and cattle in parts of the SPF core zone. This is a potential source of disturbance to some critical areas of Tiger and large ungulate habitat. Small levels of hunting and trapping persist, and the areas can be relatively hard to patrol. There is also potential for increased human–carnivore conflict in these areas.The single most important forest resource is the resin collected from several species of Dipterocarpus trees. This is vital source of cash income for many families, and most 'own' several trees in the forest which they tap for resin. Central to the strategy of creating strict protection zones will the negotiated 'buy out' of these trees from the families and communities that tap them. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15949 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15948/nest-protection-in-the-northern-plains.aspx#Comments 0 https://cambodia.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=8535&ModuleID=46005&ArticleID=15948 https://cambodia.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15948&PortalID=133&TabID=8535 https://cambodia.wcs.org/about-us/latest-features/id/15948/nest-protection-in-the-northern-plains.aspx The "Bird Nest Protection Project" encourages local people in the Northern Plains landscape to locate, report and monitor nest sites, and therefore reduces the exploitation of eggs and chicks by these communities. The project also increases the breeding success of threatened water birds.This highly effective project provides benefits to local communities to conserve threatened birds. Under the project, local people are offered a reward for reporting nests, and are paid to monitor and protect the birds until the chicks successfully fledge. They receive a direct benefit at a low cost relative to the conservation benefits. The mechanism for this project is simple. If a community member locates a nest (and indicates to monitoring rangers its location) and chooses to protect the nest, they receive $2.5 per day to protect the nest, until the chicks successfully fledge. If the protected site is a colony with many nests, then two or more people protect it and receive benefits.The wildlife monitoring manager and monitoring rangers check each protected nest and colony regularly to ensure that high quality protection effort is maintained. This enables them to verify that community nest protectors are carrying out their work as well as enabling effective monitoring of bird populations.Efforts in previous years have indicated how successful this project can be. From 2003-2008, numbers of threatened bird nests in the Northern Plains have increased from 46 to 410 and numbers of chicks fledging from nests have increased from 53 to over 700. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15948