Forest conservation and biodiversity protection in Cambodia
The Lomphat REDD+ project protects 130,000 hectares of government forest from land encroachment, agricultural conversion, illegal logging, and wildlife poaching in the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in a biodiversity hotspot and recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area, the sanctuary holds exceptional ecological value with focused conservation efforts on flagship species including Giant Ibis, White Shouldered Ibis, Red-headed Vulture, and Eld's Deer and their critical habitats. The project combines regular ranger patrols and comprehensive boundary demarcation with a Sustainable Livelihoods Program that supports sustainable rice production (Ibis Rice) in 4 villages, distributes 16 micro-credits annually, and provides 20 scholarships each year.
Activities
Forest conservation: Regular ranger patrols and comprehensive boundary demarcation to prevent land encroachment and illegal activities
Biodiversity monitoring: Systematic monitoring of flagship species
Sustainable agriculture: Support for sustainable rice production (Ibis Rice) in 4 villages
Micro-credit programs: Distribution of 16 micro-credits annually to support local entrepreneurship and economic resilience
Education support: Annual distribution of 20 scholarships to invest in local communities' future
Livelihood improvement: Comprehensive Sustainable Livelihoods Program addressing community needs while reducing forest pressure
