The Ministry of Environment has officially recognised Tatai Krom community in Koh Kong province as a protected area community.

According to a ministry statement on Friday, Tatai Krom community was recognised through a proclamation dated July 19, 2023, as part of the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Eco-tourism Project (CSLEP).

The community resides in 97.3ha of the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary in Tatai Krom commune’s Anlong Vak and Koh Andet villages.

The Ministry said that the recognition is aimed at increasing participation in the sustainable management and use of natural resources in accordance with the government’s policy of improving the livelihoods of local communities.

It said that in addition, the community will be managed in accordance with the law on protected areas.

The CSLEP is focused on improving the administration of protected areas. The project seeks to stimulate eco-tourism opportunities with the objective of enhancing the value chain of non-timber forest products across the Cardamom and Tonle Sap landscapes.

The CSLEP is providing assistance to 30 protected community areas spread over seven target provinces which are Koh Kong, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Kampong Thom and Siem Reap.

The statement noted that the Ministry had recently promulgated the Environment and Natural Resources Code.

The code deals with ambiguities and out datedness of some legal provisions to address the emerging issues and better facilitate environment and natural resource management and development in Cambodia.