Conservation the best option to support development in Cambodian Eastern Plains

12 December, 2005

MONDULKIRI PROVINCE, CAMBODIA – Today, the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), publicly inaugurated two protected areas in the Cambodian Eastern Plains Landscape. The two protected areas - Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mondulkiri Protected Forest – form part of one of the largest complexes of connected protected areas in Southeast Asia, covering more than 1 million ha (10,000km2) in a region referred to as the Eastern Plains.

Today’s event, co-organized by WWF – the global conservation organization, together with MoE, and MAFF, included a helicopter flight for senior government officials, ambassadors, and international donors, to visit the remote headquarters of the two protected areas in Mondulkiri. The ceremony, chaired by Dr Mok Mareth of MoE, Dr Chan Sarun of MAFF, and Dr Chris Hails Programme Director of WWF International, highlighted the global significance of the unique Dry Forest habitats in the Eastern Plains of Cambodia. Also participating in the event was H.E Lay Prohas, Minister of Tourism, HE Eng Chhoun Lim, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction, as well as representatives of other government ministries, provincial governors, provincial government departments, district, commune, and village leaders, and local and international NGO's.

Prior to the ceremony, a helicopter flight took a delegation of 30 VIPs to the two protected areas, Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary (PPWS) and Mondulkiri Protected Forest (MPF), for a short tour and presentations by the protected area managers. During the flight, the delegation were treated to expansive views of the vast, unspoiled landscape of the Cambodian Dry Forests in their lush, green state that is typical of the wet season.

Source: http://www.wwfindochina.org/news+info/pressrelease.htm