Project Period: January 2019-June 2022

Funding Source/Donor Organization: The Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation, APFNet

Executing Agency: 

Supervisory Agency: Experimental Center of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry

Executing Agency: Institute of Forest and Wildlife Research and Development, Forestry Administration of Cambodia

Contact: Wang Yanan: wangyanandiyici@163.com

Brief Introduction:

This project was conducted in Bos Thom village, Khna Por commune, Soth Nikum, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. The community forest was established in 1997. The forest is a mix of evergreen and deciduous forest, and protected by the farmers for naturally regeneration. The growth of forest is slow and some important species have been lost. Some parts are degraded with only a few trees left. This project is to accelerate forest resource restoration and improve livelihood of local farmers in Cambodia through establishment of demonstration forests and holding technical training. Since the launch of the project, project activities were implemented as planned, in accordance with the tasks and schedule of the Project Documents and Annual Work Plans.

A demonstration forest, covering 50 hectares, was established, maintained and rehabilitated. The demonstration forest included 5 ha of severely degraded forest, 20 ha of moderately degraded forest, and 25 ha in slightly degraded forest. A total of 16,598 seedlings of nitrogen-fixed valuable species were planted in severely and moderately degraded forest. Silvicultural treatment was conducted to the target trees (20 species) in the slightly degraded forest to promote their growth. A total of 19.94 ha of home garden was established by planting fruit trees and short-term crops. Each of 20 households was provided with a set of solar system to provide electricity energy.

At the end of the project, the ecological and economic benefits of the converted degraded forests were evaluated. To share the best knowledge and experiences on tropical degraded forest restoration, we held an international seminar, compiled a technical manual, made a promotional video and issued leaflets, and wrote news. The villagers of the local community are very active in participating in the project activities, therefore the forest quality has been significantly improved, and livelihoods have also been greatly improved.