Additional information

History

1. In 1993, Cambodia issued a Royal Decree on the Protection of Natural Areas to protect ecologically and culturally important places.
2. In 1999, Cambodia became a member of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, which introduces zones with the highest protection at international level.
3. The 2008 Protected Areas Law ensures the management, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable use of natural resources in protected areas. This introduced an additional three categories and four styles of zone management which can be applied when necessary. Numerous royal decrees and sub-decrees have been introduced expanding on protection, prosecution and sustainable use within these zones.
4. Learn about the early history of Cambodia and the early Khmer people.
5. Explore key events from Cambodia’s political history.

Culture

1. Learn about the “Cultural Landscape of the Bunong People” which has been named to the 2022 World Monuments Watch, as one of 25 heritage sites deemed to be of worldwide significance, critical for the local community, and in urgent need of preservation.
2. Read blog posts on the histories of the Bunong people and experiences of those working with Bunong communities.
3. Explore the Bunong people, the caretakers of Cambodia’s sacred forests.
4. Learn about Bunong culture from the Mondulkiri Project

Geography, Climate & Biodiversity

1. The United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) ended in Montreal, Canada, on 19 December 2022 with a landmark agreement to guide global action on nature through to 2030.
2. Amnesty International discuss how COP15 biodiversity deal a ‘missed opportunity’ to protect Indigenous peoples’ rights.
3. Learn about the biodiversity in Cambodia from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.
4. Explore Open Development Cambodia’s interactive maps on natural protected areas and changes in forest cover over the years.
5. WWF discusses the impact of gold mining and alternatives for sustainable development in the Eastern Plains Landscape.
6. Learn about WWF’s conservation work in the Eastern Plains Landscape.
7. Illegal loggers in 2020 cleared 30-hectares of community forest land, close to the site of thousands of natural stone pillars in Mondulkiri province, felling hundreds of trees and leaving the area barren.
8. Global Witness discusses a test case for Forest Sector Law Enforcement to tackle illegal logging in Mondulkir.

Politics & Local Government

1. Hear from the women working in Cambodia as forest rangers working to protect the forests and preserve the wildlife in Cambodia.
2. Read the Human Rights Watch Report and their findings from Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Learn about the work of the UN Human Rights Office in Cambodia.
4. Check out the Cambodia chapter from Amnesty  International’s report 2022/23 on the state of the world’s human rights.

Check out the categories of natural protected areas below:

1. 1. 1. National park (nature and scenic views to be protected for scientific, educational and entertainment purposes)
      2. Wildlife sanctuary (wildlife and ecological protection and preservation)
      3. Protected landscape (scenic view areas maintained for leisure and tourism)
      4. Multi-purpose-use management are (accessible for economic development and leisure activities with the assurance of natural stability of water, forestry, wildlife and fishery)
      5. Biosphere reserve (biodiversity conservation and support of sustainable development and activities)
      6. Natural heritage site (natural or semi-natural sites unique to an ecosystem, beauty or cultural value)
      7. Marine park (coastal area with plants, wildlife and fish with historical or cultural value)
      8. Ramsar site (important wetlands and surrounding environment)

Check out the management zones of natural protected areas below:

1. 1. 1. Core zone: high conservation value containing threatened and critically endangered species and fragile ecosystems. Access is prohibited except for officials and researchers.
      2. Conservation zone: high conservation value containing natural resources, ecosystems, watershed areas and natural landscaped adjacent to core zones. Access is only allowed with prior consent from the Nature Conservation and Protection Administration.
      3. Sustainable use zone: high economic value for economic development and management and conservation of the protected area. The Ministry of Environment can allocate parts as community protected areas for infrastructure and natural resource use.
      4. Community zone: Areas reserved for socio-economic development of local communities and indigenous ethnic minorities.

Population & Demographics

1. Check out the UN Refugee Agency data on forcibly displaced populations and stateless persons in Cambodia.
2. Read the facts and figures on migration in Cambodia. 
3. Learn about the Gender Wage Gap In Cambodia.
4. Read Cambodia’s report on the national population census and socio-economic survey from 2019/20.
5. Explore Cambodia’s risk profile from climate related hazards and the impact of the climate emergency.

Industry & Economy

1. Learn about the enablers and impact of large-scale mining in protected areas.
2. Explore Open Development Cambodia’s resources on economy, industry and land-use. 
3. Learn from a study of livelihoods and gender roles in three Bunong communities.
4. The Fashion Revolution discuss the role of the prisons in the garment industry in Cambodia.

Challenge Areas