The importance of community involvement in a REDD+ project

By: Clodie Veyrac

The success of conservation projects like the REDD+ initiative in Cambodia highly depends on the active participation of local communities. Two key structures make this possible: Community Protected Areas (CPAs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). While CPAs are designated conservation zones where communities take the lead in managing and protecting natural resources, CBOs focus on broader community engagement, mobilization, and capacity-building efforts that extend beyond conservation. Together, they form the foundation of conservation efforts in the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary.

The O’Koki CPA, covering over 1,900 hectares, was established in 2014 to protect biodiversity, prevent illegal deforestation, and strengthen local communities’ capacity. It operates through a committee elected by its members, who are households from three villages within the commune. Members actively participate in conservation activities, contributing an annual fee, joining reforestation efforts, and conducting monthly patrols to prevent illegal activities such as logging and snaring.

Since its creation, the CPA has significantly reduced illegal activities in the area. The commune chief, who has always supported the initiative, noted that without it, deforestation and habitat destruction would be far worse. The committee also serves as a bridge between the community and conservation organizations like NatureLife Cambodia, ensuring that local voices are heard and that conservation strategies align with community needs.

Beyond biodiversity protection, CPAs offer other benefits to their members. Villagers are allowed to sustainably harvest non-timber forest products such as mushrooms, honey, resin, and fish within the protected area, providing them with alternative sources of income while ensuring the forest remains intact. Although they can also request wood for personal use, no one has done so so far.

However, the establishment of CPAs is not always a straightforward process. In the Roveak village, for example, the initial formation of the CPA faced some difficulties due to misunderstandings. Some villagers feared that they would lose their land or that they would be asked to leave. However, through community discussions and teachings about conservation and the REDD+ initiative, most villagers eventually came to support the project. Today, even some of those who were originally opposed have joined as CPA members. The CPA in Roveak, covering 1,293 hectares, allows villagers to continue accessing and harvesting non-timber forest products like bamboo and resin while ensuring the long-term protection of the forest. As one elder in the village explained, “if we don’t protect this land, it might be taken and sold. This is the only way to guarantee our future.”

While CPAs focus on protecting specific areas, CBOs play a broader role in mobilizing communities and ensuring long-term sustainability. A strong example of this is the Sre Chrey Biodiversity Conservation Group (SBCG), a CBO that has been instrumental in conservation and community development efforts. Members of the SBCG take on diverse responsibilities, including reporting illegal activities, removing snares, and actively monitoring wildlife populations. They work closely with NatureLife Cambodia to strengthen conservation knowledge, and many of them also participate in sustainable agriculture initiatives like IBIS Rice. Farmers involved in the IBIS Rice program follow strict conservation guidelines, ensuring that their agricultural practices do not harm the environment.

NatureLife Cambodia plays an important role in supporting these efforts, providing capacity-building programs that train community members in essential conservation skills such as using digital tools for mapping and monitoring. They also help communities understand climate change and its impact on their environment. Additionally, the organization works closely with CPA and CBO members in planning patrols and reinforcing best practices.

The REDD+ project brings an additional layer of support, offering benefits such as better patrol equipment, increased staffing, and financial incentives for conservation efforts. The CPA and CBO committees see this as a crucial step toward securing the long-term sustainability of their work.

“This is the only way the community can protect the forest. Working together is the key to success,” the O’Koki committee chairman said.

Another key aspect of the REDD+ initiative is its integration with broader development goals. Officials like Mr. Khemarak, Director of the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary in Ratanakiri, emphasize that conservation and sustainable development must go hand in hand. Through the LASED project, efforts are being made to allocate land to landless households while ensuring that natural resources are managed sustainably. Mr. Khemarak strongly supports REDD+, stating that it can help finance patrolling, stop deforestation, and support village development projects such as roads and bridges.

“People want to have legal land, they do not want to encroach,” he noted, reinforcing the need for structured conservation policies.

Local knowledge and participation are the foundation of conservation success in Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary. Without the involvement of CPAs and CBOs, protecting this critical ecosystem would be nearly impossible. The commitment of these communities proves that when conservation is led by those who know and depend on the land, it is not only possible but sustainable. With continued support, the REDD+ project and its community partners can ensure that the forests of Lomphat remain a refuge for both people and wildlife for generations to come.