Community-Based Forest Management

Abstract

Objective: To build the capacity of government and local communities to manage globally significant biodiversity and establish sustainable wildlife tourism in the Eastern Plains Landscape of northeast Cambodia. PROjECT SuMMaRy The dry forests of Cambodia's eastern plains harbour a wealth of biodiversity and support traditional local livelihoods. Partnering with WWF Cambodia, we helped introduce collaborative management of these forests by the government and adjacent communities, first in a pilot area and then more widely. Dialogue between officials and local people led to the division of protected forests into several management categories, including zones where communities can sustainably harvest resources and implement forest-based enterprises such as wild honey collection and tourism. Communities and government jointly patrol forests and monitor wildlife, while 'eco clubs' set up by the project are promoting environmental management in schools and surrounding communities. ThEORy Of ChanGE The traditional approach of conserving biological resources through protected areas often creates tension between government and communities. Attempts by local people to derive livelihoods from the resources are labelled illegal, while their contribution to resource management is ignored. With limited funds and weak governance, protected-area management systems become ineffective and resources are Contact and feedback: Muyeye Chambwera muyeye.chambwera@iied.org Community-based forest management Government and communities in Cambodia have partnered up to protect wildlife and attract ecotourists. On Cambodia's eastern plains lie some of the world's vastest undisturbed tropical dry forests. Some 60 per cent of the country is covered in tropical deciduous trees, evergreens and scrub, largely free of roads, that shelter rich biodiversity. Named one of the 200 most valuable global ecoregions by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), this remote forest habitat is a promising place for critically endangered tigers, leopards and Asian elephants to reestablish their populations. Local communities also get their living from the forest. Ninety-two per cent of nearby households gather products such as wild honey, food plants and traditional medicines to use at home or sell in markets. And in the eyes of policymakers, the area shows economic potential as a future destination for ecotourism.