Deforestation in Cambodia

The effects of deforestation and subsequent flooding can be seen from space on ordinary satellite images. This image is from the Terra satellite in 2002.
An illegal logging camp in the Cardamom Mountains in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia

Cambodia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, third to only Nigeria and Vietnam, according to a 2005 report conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).[1]

Cambodia's primary rainforest cover fell dramatically from over 70% in 1970 at the end of the Vietnam War to just 3.1% in 2007.[2] Deforestation is accelerating at an alarming rate, with overall rate of total forest loss at nearly 75% since the end of the 1990s. In total, Cambodia lost 25,000 square kilometres of forest between 1990 and 2005, 3,340 square kilometres of which was primary forest. As of 2007, less than 3,220 square kilometres of primary forest remain, with the result that the future sustainability of Cambodia's forest reserves is under severe threat.[3]

According to a 2015 report, U.K. environmental rights group Global Witness places Cambodian timber magnate Try Pheap at the center of a large illegal logging enterprise driving Cambodia's rarest tree species to the brink of extinction. The report concludes that the operation of the illegal logging is being done with the collusion of government and military officials with virtually all of the illegally cut and transported wood going to China[4]

Rare wood types threatened with extinction

The organization 'Global Witness' says a vast illegal logging operation is driving the country’s rarest tree species to the brink of extinction with government and military officials acting with impunity to keep the operation functioning. The Global Witness report said 'government and industry insiders, including people who work for Okhna Try Pheap, indicated that entrenched corruption had ensured loggers in his network were given safe passage and immunity from timber confiscations and penalties.'[5]

Community forestry units in Cambodia

Province No. of districts No. of communes No. of Community Forestry units Area (km²) Supporting organizations Officially recognized by...
Banteay Meanchey 2 3 5 10.74 CARERE, IFAD PFO
Battambang Province 6 6 17 39.5 ADESS, CARERE PFO
Kampong Chhnang Province 3 913 8.48 ConcernPFO
Kampong Speu Province 24 4 4.385 Oxfam-American, Prasac II, LWS, GTZPFO
Kampong Thom Province 3 3 12 7.001 CFRPPFO
Kampot Province 3 3 12 50.355 GTZ/RDP PFO
Koh Kong Province 2 2 2 32.54 CFRP, AFSC/SLP PFO
Kratie 4 5 12 16.378 SMRP/CFRP PFO
Mondulkiri Province 2 2 2 3.26 SMRP/CFRP PFO
Oddar Meancheay Province 5 6 12 5.581 GCP/CMB/NZE/CFI PFO
Preah Vihear Province 3 5 2 5.885 BPS, Oxfam GB PFO
Pursat Province 5 11 13 33.443 Seila, Ausaid, Concern, ADESS PFO
Ratanakiri 6 11 12 125.51 NTFP, CBNRM, IDRC/PLG/SEILA/UNDPPFO
Siem Reap Province 11 25 35 115.297FAO, IFAD ADESS, EPDO PFO
Svay Rieng 2 4 1 17.04Oxfam GB, CIDSE, CRS PFO
Takeo Province 3 5 1 4.7517 eht MCC/DFW/MAFF PFO

References

  1. ↑ Butler, Rhett A. "Nigeria has worst deforestation rate, FAO revises figures". mongabay.com. November 17, 2005.
  2. ↑ "Brief on National Forest Inventory - Cambodia" (PDF). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. June 2007. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  3. ↑ "Logging threatens Cambodian tragedy - UN". Thomson Reuters. March 6, 2003.
  4. ↑ https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/timber-trader-try-pheap-linked-to-vast-logging-racket-77466/ Retrieved February-072015
  5. ↑ http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodia-illegal-timber-trade-02062015122016.html Retrieved February-7-2015

External links


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