Download PDF: NTFP-EP_Cambodia_Resin_Report.pdf

invites at least three comments or questions on support for sustainable forest
management.
Ms. Femy PINTO noted that in the earlier presentations that some of the resin
community groups are already in the protected area. One of the challenges is that they
are not officially recognized though they have identified their clear structure and rules,
and yet they are not yet recognized by the government. What could be the information or
procedures that are required in order to help them be recognized For instance 150
families are currently benefiting from the resin collection activites in around 1,900 ha in
Phnom Prech Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province.
Mr. KEN Sereyrotha responded that he admits that he has not much been aware of the
existing group in this protected area. But he recognizes that such informal institution is
important for resin collection in both Environment and Forestry Administration’s zones.
To response, for MoE to recognize the group is not that difficult. People have to form this
group and set rules and request to Protected Area Administration through the director of
this Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary. The establishment of new body is not that easy to
respond to such an issue. The 150 families need to show the government that they are
able to manage themselves. They can contact the Protected Area Unit and work this out
quickly. The recognition helps protect the biodiversity in the areas and also encourage
the local people to conserve the resources. Through Mr. Bora as presenter here and with
government support, Mr. Rotha believe the issues can be addressed effectively.
Mr. KHOU Eanghourt, CNWGt: CPA encourages the sustainability and protection of
their resources. But the law requires not doing any business out of those resources. Due
to the social and economic constraints, local people trade them commercially. Though
the law does not allow, but he observes that the MoE has allowed and accepted this. Is
there any possibility to have it stated in the law that business is allowed, not like informal
or verbal situation today
Mr. KEN Sereyrotha: It is good to regulate the utilization of resources at household scale
as it is the only start-up. If the community desires to use it commercially, the MoE would
accept it though:
Communities themselves show the purposes of shifting from domestic to
commercial uses and need to confirm that it is doable i.e. clearly indicate that they
have adequate capacity or supplies to the markets.
The quality of the supply by community scale is also feasible i.e. community needs
to develop and identify the market strategy, and benefit sharing protocol (not for
only a small number of families but as a whole). He urges that everyone needs to
understand that this society is complex and quite often divided by parties or groups
who are more individualistic or opportunistic. It is essential to be aware of the
opportunists – making uses of everyone’s honest efforts and advantages.
If there is only single community in Phnom Prich desiring such scheme, then Mr.
Rotha believes that amendment to the law is impossible. He suggests having a
collective voice and benefits. MoE is working on the assessment of the protected
areas to see such potential and issues too. MoE is also thinking of practicing the
Carbon Credit in the protected areas, and then MoE will discuss how they can
share the benefits among the key players. MoE is preparing the project to
understand the field background to see how they can set it up. If the resin is better
marketed and then MoE can integrate this into their planning.
Mr. Ashish JOHN, WCS: CPA guidelines are effective and recognized only in the
CPA areas but the reality is that their resin trees are out of the CPA (normally 7km
away), can you help explain this and how this can be better resolved
Mr. KEN Sereyrotha: The issue of updates of CPA is to legalize the CPA so that MoE can
discuss on resin trees which are mostly out of CPA. When there is a discussion on the
23
23