Official inauguration ceremony of the Roya Village community water distribution system

By Him Ratana

On July 28, 2026, the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project, implemented by NatureLife Cambodia, collaborated with local authorities and communities to officially launch the community water distribution network in Roy Village, Roy Commune, Koh Nhek District, Mondulkiri Province.

The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Sey Touch, Governor of Koh Nhek District, Mr. Chea Dara, Deputy Director of the Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Environment, Mr. Bou Vorsak, CEO of NatureLife Cambodia, Deputy Head of the Phnom Prich-Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary Office of the Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Environment, village and commune authorities, REDD+ Village Focal Points, community representatives, and NatureLife Cambodia’s team, with a total of 80 participants, including 57 women.

The Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ project aims to promote the conservation of natural resources while supporting and improving the livelihoods of communities that rely on forest resources and ecosystems for their daily lives. The project promotes local development through improving community infrastructure, sustainable management of natural resources, and increasing community resilience to climate change.

The community water distribution system, which is now officially launched, is one of the achievements of the project, which will provide safe drinking water for drinking, cooking, reducing the cost and daily consumption of the local people, especially the indigenous communities that have been relied on natural water sources that are vulnerable to pollution and scarcity in the dry season. Having this water supply system not only contributes to improving public health but also reduces the pressure on the use of natural resources and contribute to improve local livelihood.

Representative of Roya Water distribution system management committee special thanked the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project implemented by NatureLife Cambodia for supporting the construction and commissioning of a community water distribution system. Community representatives said that this clean water supplying network is a valuable achievement that responds to the real needs of the local people, especially indigenous communities who have faced the shortage of clean water for daily use.

The committee’s representative also committed to collaborating with local authorities and the project team to effectively manage, maintain, and utilize the water distribution system and ensure that residents receive long-term benefits.

At the same time, the community also demonstrated its commitment to actively participate in conserving natural resources and forests, which are the basis for living and developing livelihoods, in line with the objectives of the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project.

On that occasion, the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project Team also updated the progress of this REDD+ project to the leaders, local authorities, and residents, highlighting key activities implemented to strengthen community participation in forest conservation, responsible use of natural resources, and sustainable livelihood development.

Mr. Sey Touch, Governor of Koh Nhek District, express his support to Lomphat REDD+ project and encourage Roya community to use this community water distribution system in sustainable way.