Cambodia is ecologically rich. Forest covers nearly half of the country and provides a watershed to the Tonle Sap Lake, one of the world’s most productive freshwater fisheries on Earth. Here, 80% of Cambodia’s 15 million people directly rely on nature for their livelihoods.
For over twenty years, Conservation International has worked with local communities, the government, and key partners to maintain and protect some of the country’s most vital remaining ecosystems and unique biodiversity — for the benefit of the planet, and for the people of Cambodia.
What are the challenges?
The continued loss and degradation of forests has major implications for the people of Cambodia, for its wildlife, and for the climate. Deforestation and land clearance related to timber extraction, agriculture, and unsustainable infrastructure development are eroding the region’s forests and ecosystems — and the countless benefits that they provide to people.
More than 100 dams are planned or under development along the Mekong River and its tributaries. Dams bring energy to underserved communities — but poorly planned and operated dams can also harm the health of the river, reducing water flows, changing the water regime of Tole Sap Great Lake, and water quality, and putting wildlife, especially fisheries, and people’s livelihoods at risk.
Indigenous peoples and local communities living in, and around protected areas are among Cambodia’s most economically disadvantaged, with little options for livelihood development. Despite their direct dependance on the ecosystem benefits of these natural areas, some individuals participate in illegal activities such as deforestation, unsustainable logging, or wildlife poaching as a means of survival. These coping livelihood strategies have become more apparent due to economic and climate shocks, such as Covid-19 or natural disasters.
The Tonle Sap Lake is one of the richest sources of freshwater fish in the world — yet overfishing — including the use of destructive and illegal fishing gear, destruction of natural fish nurseries and other poor management practices — are widespread. Unregulated aquaculture assistance and invasive fish species can put the local fish species at risk. This has decreased average fish size and diversity, threatening the livelihoods and nutritional base of millions.
Our plan
Conservation International has worked in Cambodia since 2001, helping to protect nature and the benefits it provides: food, safe drinking water, renewable energy and sustainable livelihoods. Through protected area management, community engagement and long-term financing, we work to ensure that the watershed’s mountains and forests can continue to safeguard the water that supports life downstream, regular regional climate, and sequent carbon dioxide to purify air quality we breath.
Central Cardamom Mountains Landscape
Protecting one of the most diverse Indo-Burmese hotspots
The Central Cardamom Mountains Landscape is located in the heart of the Cardamom Mountains — estimated to be worth well over US$1 billion. The landscape is one of the most diverse Indo-Burmese hotspots, which stores a significant volume of forest carbon and providese a vital watershed to over 30,000 people downstream connecting to the Tonle Sap Lake. Conservation International is working with the Cambodian Government, private sector and the 23 communities living inside or adjacent to this landscape, to sustainably and participatorily protect this landscape and enhance the wellbeing of those living there.
Tonle Sap Lake
Conserving Cambodia's fish factory
Conservation International is working to ensure that Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake and its floodplains remain healthy and can continue to provide the animal protein that half the nation relies on. We focus on improving the well-being and economic resilience of the “floating villages” atop the lake as well as restoring the flooded forest.
Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary
Protecting the largest remaining lowland evergreen forest in mainland Southeast Asia
Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest lowland evergreen forest in mainland Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s largest protected area, and recognized as one of the most biodiverse forests in the country. Conservation International is supporting communities to establish sustainable livelihood approaches while protecting they depend on and setting up conservation financing solutions that aim to resource this work into the future.
Veun Sai-Siem Pang National Park
One of Southeast Asia’s most pristine forests
The Veun Sai-Siem Pang National Park, established in 2016 with support from Conservation International, was expanded to include its adjacent Biodiversity Conservation Corridor in 2023, which increased the National Park area from 57,469 hectares (ha) to 280,359 ha.
Home to some of the last populations of giant ibis, sun bears and clouded leopards, and a new gibbon species, northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon, Veun Sai-Siem Pang National Park is also essential to local people and is known as the research site for many university students. Conservation International has worked in the Veun Sai-Siem Pang region since 2007 to help protect nature for the benefit of people.