| Author | Huot Sopheap |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.SR-98-12 |
| Subject(s) | Conservation of natural resources--Cambodia--Ratanakiri--Citizen participation
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The level of social services provided in the protected area has been rather low, with the
living conditions of the village community being poor. The food security of those households
in the area is not guaranteed and stable. The constraints were found to be low income, lack of
alternative income source and limited natural resources exploitation. The main cause of natural
resources and environmental degradation is shifting agriculture which has not been
ecologically and sustainable. Other root causes for natural resources degradation are increasing
population, land speculation and access to market that have caused pressure to build up on
these forest resources and reduce the land available for swidden cultivation.
Local peoples' awareness toward resources management were found to be influenced
by their socio-economic status. They are aware that some of their activities are degrading the
environment, and they appear to be doing something about it, but they are not sure what to do.
However, they certainly do not want to lose their home lands. They have a strong negative
attitude towards existing natural resources management policies. They feel that the
management authorities should allow them to keep their present agricultural area and allow
them to continue to use the forest. The local people also feel that authorities should help them
to increase the productivity and sustainability of agriculture by providing them equipment,
teaching them new techniques and giving them seedling for reforestation and agro-forestry and
provide opportunities to increase their income generation and provide them with good health
facility. They also suggested that the government should have a policy that both protects the
environment and helps them to develop their livelihoods. The people need the environment to
feed and sustain them. Currently, given the rate of destruction of the environment, there will be
little left for future generations.
At present, the Community based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) has: (1)
developed regulations for the protected core zone of the protected area; (2) established the
Cultural and Environmental Center; (3) still have investigated land tenure and customary land
use as well as coordinated in resolving land encroachment including the whole boundary of
protected area issue. And improving agricultural productivity and sustainability, by providing
training on technical agriculture to village leaders and farmers in the commune. Agricultural
enhancement should have long-term aims: (1) increase in yield per unit area of land; (2)
protection of soil fertility; (3) control of fast growing pioneer species (e.g. grass "Sabouv"),
(4) provision of desirable plant resources (e.g. bamboo, timber, fruit, etc.), (5) better processing
and marketing, and ( 6) watershed management. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Space Technology Application and Research (SR) |
| Chairperson(s) | Remigio, Amador A.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Hussain, M. Zakir;Mather, Robert; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |