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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Biogeographically, Cambodia is a tropical country dominated by lowlands along the Mekong River and Tonlé Sap Lake, where agriculture is concentrated, and three mountain regions in the Southwest, North and Northeast. Knowledge at the species levels for plants and animals of Cambodia remains very limited. According to IUCN Redlist, 39 mammals, 36 birds, 15 reptiles, 38 plant species are listed as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near-threatened or data deficient (SoE, 2004). Surveys and studies in the country on the other hand listed 28 mammal, 21 bird, 7 fish, and 30 plant species as critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable. There are 114 known reptile species and 8 known amphibian species. Four species, 2 mammal and 2 bird species, are believed to have been extinct from Cambodia since 1990 (SoE, 2004, p. 130-136). Due to lack of research, very little is known about the genetic diversity within species and there is serious lack of information on distribution and occurrence of wild species and wild relatives of crops in the country. Nevertheless, over 2,000 varieties of rice and several wild rice species have been identified and/or used in the country. A mix of wild and domesticated animal genetic resources has been reported. In terms of ecosystems, Cambodia has agricultural, forest, inland waters and marine and coastal ecosystems. The main threats to biodiversity are increased population pressures, lack of planning and poor law enforcement in natural resource management and uncertainties in land tenure. In addition, natural resources have been privatized and frequently overexploited.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Cambodia has 29 protected areas, 3 sites of wetland of international importance and 1 Biosphere Reserve. Overall, these sites cover more than 18% of the country territory and span almost all types of habitat.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The total forest cover is 9,335,000 ha, with 9,245,000 ha for natural forests and 90,000 for plantation areas.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The vision identified in Cambodia’s NBSAP is “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 to enhance Cambodia’s ability to ensure the productivity, diversity and integrity of natural systems and, as a result, the ability as a nation to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of all Cambodians. The main strategic goals include: (a) maintaining biological diversity and productivity of ecological systems by protecting the various species of living organisms in their natural and manmade environments, especially forests, aquatic ecosystems, wetlands and agricultural land; (b) managing human activities and utilizing biological resources in a way that preserves for the long term the basic natural resources, which are necessary for human livelihood and development; (c) ensuring that the benefits coming from the sustainable use of biological resources contribute to poverty reduction and improve quality of life for all Cambodians. Priority actions adopted by the government can be grouped in three broad categories: (a) promoting awareness and capacity building of government staff and local communities for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biological resources; (b) promoting the implementation of community-based natural resource management; and (c) clarifying ministerial jurisdictions, reducing responsibility overlap and promoting interministerial coordination and collaboration in a sustainable development perspective.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (English)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (English)

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

In addition to the designated protected areas, more than 1.49 million ha of Protected Forests Areas have been established. The Government’s Rectangular Strategy (2004) identifies measures for forestry reform including sustainable forest management policy. The New Forest Law (2002) was adopted and the new draft Laws on Fisheries and Protected Areas are waiting for debate at the National Assembly. Over 2,000 varieties of rice and several wild rice species collected by Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, samples for which have been stored at the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) Gene Bank. A seed law is being drafted and a Forest Gene Conservation Strategy was developed, in which 34 indigenous tree species have been identified to have priority status for conservation. In addition seven distinct gene-ecological zones on the basis of bio-climate, vegetation, physiography and soil have been established. A seed source registration system is established, and community participation in forest gene conservation and tree seed source management was initiated. A Southern Cardamom Biodiversity (elephant) Corridor is established. Cambodia is working on a programme to protect dry forest ecology as part of WWF’s Lower Mekong Dry Forest Initiative. Identification of Important Bird Areas for Conservation has also been conducted. The Draft National Plan of Adaptation to Climate Change identifies measures required to adapt to the effects from potential climate change in four sectors including the water resource and agriculture, coastal zone and human health.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The designated system of national protected areas (PA) recognises it is part of the broader landscape. As such, management plans take into account activities in the surrounding areas, including use of resources by local people living within and around the PAs. Some PAs are managed through an integrated approach combining different principles including the fishery management, the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve concept, community based resource management and co-management, and participatory land use planning. A PA advisory committee has been established comprising senior representatives from various relevant sectoral agencies to advise on issues and conflict resolution in relation to PAs. The current Sub-decree (1999) on Environmental Impact Assessment requires the process to be applied, including impact on protected areas by either development of conservation projects. However, no specific and detailed guidelines have been developed specially for addressing impacts on PAs. Need assessment has been made at individual PAs and some capacity building programmes have been established for a cluster of PAs.

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

The Government is working with ASEAN countries toward developing an ASEAN Framework Agreement on Access to, and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from the Utilization of, Biological and Genetic Resources. In the near future, Cambodia is planning to develop a sub-decree addressing equitable sharing of its genetic resources.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

A wide variety of initiatives have been undertaken in Cambodia to address issues related to indigenous and local communities, including the establishment of a department within the Ministry of Rural Development to promote rural development and provide non-formal education among indigenous communities. Others include the collaboration with NGOs and research institutions on a wide range of studies and information-sharing with various stakeholders, including the communities, particularly on access rights of indigenous and local communities to land and natural resources, threats from development and administrative management on existing local institutions, and tenure rights and ownership. A number of relevant policies and legislations are being implemented, such as a sub-decree on Community Forestry, Community Fisheries, various articles in the Land Law on 2001, Forest Law and Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Strategy Paper for the Registration of Indigenous Land Rights; and other relevant legal instruments. Guidelines have been developed for the development of community-based fisheries, forestry, protected areas and eco-tourism. Training has been provided and training materials developed on issues such as participatory decision-making approach, methodology for participatory approach, and sustainable use and protection of natural resources. A number of community-based natural resource management networks were established, which provide forum for practitioners at all levels to share information and experiences regarding participatory management of the resource thematic issues through quarterly network meeting and newsletters.