Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) has been implemented in Cambodia since 2016, with an integrated landscape approach taking into account the mosaic land-use patterns and the diverse interests of stakeholders. According to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) conducted in the provinces of Kampong Thom, Preah Vihea and Siem Reap, approximately 280 000 hectares were identified as opportunity areas for restoration in protected areas, conservation corridors, riparian buffers, and community-managed forests.

In consultation with the Forestry Administration (FA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), three community forests (CFs) and the Pterocarpus seed source were selected for FLR field activities. Furthermore, one protected area was also identified for field implementation in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (MOE).

In partnership with the Regional Community Forestry Training Centre for Asia and the Pacific Cambodia, the three CFs committed to using support for restoring the native trees in designated forestland, protecting biodiversity, increasing forest cover and preventing further degradation and encroachment on forest land, as well as generating income by promoting ecotourism in the long term. In line with ROAM guidelines, the CFs devised a management plan to further improve financial incentives for restoration. CFs selected native species of high-value timber, namely Pterocarpus macrocarpus Krurz, in-mixed with a fast growing tree, Acacia mangium, and integrating soil cover crops such as rice, soybean or turmeric using agroforestry techniques. The soil cover crops fetch monetary returns to incentivize and engage members in maintaining and supporting the protection and conservation of community forest resources. Short-term crops also contribute to reducing soil erosion, providing soil moisture and soil fertilizer, and enhancing the ecosystem goods and services. The intervention was catalyzed beyond the tree plantations on degraded land over approximately ten hectares on each site.

The Pterocarpus seed source was identified for restoring part of the land degraded through encroachment over ten hectares. The intervention was mainly intended to improve and protect the genetic pool of the seed source. FA is committed to improving the management of the seed source as well as enhancing the seed source’s biodiversity pool to increase the ecosystem goods and services delivered. As the seed source is located between the popular ancient temples of Boeng Melea and Kohke, and accessible by road, ecotourism has been identified as one option for resource mobilization for sustainable management and conservation of the seed source.

In partnership with the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat through the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, the Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism supported the restoration of degraded land in Phnom Kulen National Park in collaboration with MOE. The restoration in this protected area aimed to restore the forest ecosystem as well as protect biodiversity and cultural heritage. Native tree species were planted over approximately nine and a half hectares. The local community was engaged through a cash-for-work scheme. As well as incentivizing biodiversity conservation, this scheme contributed to the response to COVID-19 by providing short-term incomes.

Sophyra Sar (FAO)