Save The Rainforest in Cambodia
This Forest REDD+ conservation project prevents deforestation of a unique and biodiverse region which is the habitat of many native species.
It’s not that the things we do don’t create carbon but overall what we take down from the atmosphere is the same as what we create.
Project Summary
Spreading over 20,000 km2 in Southwestern Cambodia, the Cardamom Mountain Range runs along Thailand’s border. The area is home to the second largest virgin rainforest in Southeast Asia, which is under significant pressure from illegal logging and poaching.
Preserving biodiversity
This offsetting project focusses on the South of this region, with the aim of preserving the biodiversity and the habitat for many native species. Fifty of them are on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List including the Asian elephant, the Asian brown bear, the Clouded Leopard and the Siamese crocodile.
Twenty-eight local communities depend on this region, which represents 16,319 people of whom only 16% live above the poverty line defined by the Cambodian government.
The Impact
– Protection of 445,339 hectares of forest and 53 threatened species.
– Project beneficiaries amount to 16,319 people, 3,841 families and 29 communities.
– 1,410 families are targeted for training on sustainable agricultural practices.
– Coaching and support is provided to rangers to assist in better policing of the
rainforests and counteracting corruption.
– Proceeds from the project help to develop ecotourism infrastructure to provide
alternative incomes.
– Scholarships are funded for students from 8 different communities.
– The project also funds increased support for health workers, hiring of additional
healthcare staff and improving facilities.
Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established by United Nations as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity. There are 17 goals in total and this project is aligned to the following SDG goals:
SDG 8
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth
One of the main objectives of the project is to provide economic opportunities to local people. The community-based business development program directly contributes to community benefits by increasing livelihood options and local incomes, and improving land use practices.
SDG 13
Take urgent action on climate
Given the huge amounts of CO2 stored in our global peatland, this project is protecting a vital carbon sink and in so doing, helping to limit climate change.
SDG 15
Protest, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
This project protects a vital ecosystem which supports traditional livelihoods such as fishing, provides clean water and is home to many species, including some of the world’s most endangered, such as the Bornean Orangutan and the Proboscis Monkey.