Forestry Futures
While deforestation is expanding rapidly in Cambodia, the country has a large forest resource with the potential to sustain a robust timber industry & contribute enormously to national development.
Cambodia
Deforestation is expanding rapidly in Cambodia. Nevertheless, the country has a large forest resource with the potential to sustain a robust timber industry and contribute enormously to national development. But the recent history of Cambodian forestry has been turbulent, and the timber sector is in disarray. The concession system has been suspended, yet unauthorised timber production apparently continues. The implementation of recent reforms, and increased law enforcement, are urgently required.
Forest resources
Cambodia has a land area of 18.1 million hectares and a population of 12.6 million people. The country is dominated by a large alluvial central plain, through which courses the Mekong River and in the centre of which lies Tonle Sap Lake. Mountains and plateaux surround the central plain except in the southeast.
Only a few points exceed 1,000 m in elevation; these are located primarily in the extreme northeast of the country, the highest peak being Phnom Kchual (1,843 m). The climate is typically tropical and subject to monsoons. Cambodia has a relatively large forest resource: FAO (2005a) estimated forest cover at 9.33 million hectares; the estimate of the Forestry Administration (FA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is 11.1 million hectares
Forest types
Cambodia’s lowland tropical moist forest covers the northeastern part of the country bordering Laos and Thailand. This forest type is dominated by Dipterocarpaceae, with five species – Shorea hypochra, Anisoptera costata, glabra, Dipterocarpus costatus and Hopea odorata – almost always present; Parkia streptocarpa, Heritiera javanica and Syzygium cinereum are other common species. Medium-altitude closed forest is found in the hilly country around the Gulf of Thailand and east of the Mekong River. The dominant trees, which can reach a height of 20m, include oaks such as Litho-carpus spp, Quercus cambodiensis and Castanopsis cambodiana. Closed deciduous forests and open forests are mixed and found in the northwestern part of the country; common species include Lagerstroemia spp, Xylia dolabriformis, Vitex spp, Anogeissus pierrei, Grewia paniculata, Terminalia spp, Ceiba pentandra, Pterocarpus pedatus and Irvingia oliveri. Closed semi-deciduous forests occur where the dry season lasts three to five months and vary considerably in appearance and floristic composition. Secondary forest formations include bamboos and trees such as species of Diospyros, Lagerstroemia and Cratoxylon, as well as Grewia paniculata, Combretum quadrangulare and Diptero-carpus intricatus.
Key points
Cambodia's significant reserves of high-value production forests present an important economic resource, the sustainable use of which would be of considerable benefit to the country.
Cambodia has an estimated 8.10 million hectares of PFE, comprising 3.46 million hectares of natural production forest, 4.62 million hectares of protection forest and 17,000 hectares of industrial timber plantations. However, data on Cambodian forests are often inconsistent and unreliable.
No part of the production PFE is considered to be under sustainable management; insufficient information was available to estimate the area of protection PFE so managed.
A significant but unestimated area of forest has been degraded by shifting cultivation, encroachment, the development of agro-industries, illegal logging, over-harvesting and forest fire, as well as by the use of chemicals during war.
The Forestry Administration was created in 2003, replacing the Department of Forestry and Wildlife; it has responsibility for managing the forest estate, although there may be some overlap in roles with the Ministry of Environment for forests in national parks and related reserves.
Forest-sector reforms have been developed but are yet to be implemented effectively; the enforcement of existing policies, laws and regulations is weak.
The management of forest concessions has been poor; the government cancelled some licences and, in 2002, suspended all remaining forest concessions until they fully complied with requirements. One apparent effect of this ban has been to stimulate a significant illegal timber industry.
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The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) Project
The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) Project Launches to Drive Sustainable Forest Management and Boost Local Livelihoods in Cambodia.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (17.05.2024)— The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) project was officially launched, aiming to advance sustainable forest management and enhance local livelihoods in Cambodia. This collaborative initiative brings together the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), RECOFTC, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with support from the Swiss agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Promoting Sustainability and Resilience
CASFor is designed to align with climate and biodiversity goals by employing a participatory, market-driven approach. The project targets 24 districts across five provinces in Cambodia, benefiting approximately 86,000 people. It supports partners, community forests (CFs), and community protected areas (CPAs) in adapting their activities to meet market demand while integrating community-based forest operations into Cambodia's monitoring systems using satellite data.
Statements from Key Leaders
H.E. Pedro Zwahlen, Swiss Ambassador to Cambodia, emphasized Switzerland's commitment to natural resource management: “Switzerland focuses on natural resource management to increase communities' resilience to climate change and disasters. We support communities in securing equitable access to natural resources, land, forest, and water, and in building their capacities to manage these resources sustainably. Our goal is for future generations to continue benefiting from these resources. From 2014 to 2023, SDC has already provided a program contribution to the Partnership for Forestry and Fishery.”
Rebekha Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia, highlighted the project's objectives: "CASFor aims to promote sustainable forest management, resilience, and local livelihoods. Aligned with climate and biodiversity goals, it employs a participatory, market-driven approach to leverage opportunities while safeguarding forests. It assists stakeholders in adapting activities to meet market demand and integrates community-based forest operations into Cambodia's monitoring systems using satellite data."
Inaugural Event
The launch event was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including H.E. Chan Chesda, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; H.E. Pedro Zwahlen, Swiss Ambassador; Ms. Rebekha Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia; Mr. Seng Soth, Deputy Director General of General Directorate of Local Community, Ministry of Environment; Mr. Markus Bürli, Director of Cooperation, Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Cambodia; Dr. Chheng Dany, Deputy Director General of Forestry Administration, MAFF; along with representatives from the Forestry Administration, Swiss Cooperation Office, development partners, academia, NGOs, private sectors, sub-national administrations, and community representatives.
Looking Forward
CASFor is expected to play a critical role in promoting sustainable forest management and boosting local livelihoods in Cambodia. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and leveraging market-driven strategies, the project aims to create resilient and sustainable communities, ensuring that forests are managed responsibly for future generations.
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Natural Resource Crimes
By Ministry of Environment (Repost from 17 Oct 2023)
In a concerted effort to prioritise environmental sustainability, the Ministry of Environment in Cambodia is taking steps to tackle natural resource crimes, ensuring the protection of the country’s rich biodiversity and natural resources. This initiative is in alignment with the first phase of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Pentagon Strategy, which emphasises the significance of sustainability, employment growth, equity, and efficiency.
The Ministry of Environment has identified four essential measures aimed at the effective management of natural resources, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable development. Here are the key highlights:
1) Zero Tolerance for Natural Resource Crimes:
The Ministry is committed to ensuring the full enforcement of relevant laws, aiming to eradicate the existing culture of providing education, guidance, and leniency to individuals engaged in natural resource crimes. This firm stance intends to deter and penalise perpetrators and prevent further environmental damage.
2) Collaborative Approach with Local Authorities:
In a bid to prevent natural resource crimes, the Ministry is fostering close cooperation with the Capital-Provincial Administrative Unity Command, particularly local authorities operating in protected areas. This partnership will bolster efforts to safeguard these vital ecological zones.
3) Anti-Corruption and Law Enforcement:
The Ministry of Environment is reinforcing its efforts against natural resource crimes through cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Unit and the National Gendarmerie Command. This collaboration with law enforcement agencies, coupled with the ongoing partnership with local authorities, promises a robust response to environmental violations.
4) Reforestation and Sustainable Forest Management:
To ensure the sustainability of Cambodia’s natural resources, the Ministry is focusing on planting more trees than are cut down. A core goal that aligns with the aforementioned Pentagon Strategy is the promotion of reforestation as a top priority. The goal is to increase forest cover by 60% by the year 2050. This will not only aid in environmental conservation but also improve the livelihoods of local communities. As part of this plan, the Ministry of Environment has initiated a tree-planting campaign that commenced on October 10th, with the aim of planting at least 1 million trees annually from 2024.
Dr. Eang Sophalleth, the Minister of Environment, welcomed and encouraged both local and foreign partner organizations to collaborate in this endeavor. This collective effort aims to expand forest cover through tree planting. The Minister emphasized the importance of trees with high economic value, which provide sources of food and opportunities for selling. This initiative not only safeguards and preserves our forests but also makes a substantial contribution to global climate change mitigation efforts.
The Ministry of Environment’s multifaceted approach demonstrates the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to sustainability by emphasizing the critical role of preserving natural resources and biodiversity in the quest for a more equitable, efficient, and sustainable future. By launching these measures, Cambodia is taking a significant step toward environmental conservation and the protection of its unique natural heritage.
Read more here.