PHNOM PENH, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Conservationist groups have admired the Cambodian government for approving the zoning of first two protected areas crucial for the protection of biodiversity and indigenous communities.
Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen signed off on zoning plans earlier this month for two wildlife sanctuaries: the 250,000-hectare Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary (LWS), which straddles Mondolkiri and Ratanakkiri provinces in the northeast, and the 225,000-hectare Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary (PPWS) in Mondolkiri province.
The plans will ensure effective protection against environmental crimes such as poaching, forest destruction, and illegal land encroachment. The plans set clear demarcation between different types of land-use: core conservation zones, sustainable use zones and buffer zones.
In its statement on Monday, the BirdLife International said that LWS is home to five critically endangered species of white-shouldered Ibis, giant Ibis, white-rumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, and red-headed vulture. Also, it is the habitat of globally threatened large mammal species such as Eld's Deer, Banteng, and Tiger.
"This zonation plan will prevent new and enlarged economic land concessions," said Bou Vorsak, Cambodia program manager of BirdLife International. It "also allocates areas for local communities to establish their own conservation areas and affords the right to sustainably use natural resources".
Thuy Sophann, chief of the O Rey Community Protected Area committee inside the LWS, said his communities were happy to work with the protected area rangers to stop illegal logging and small-scale land grabbing.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said that the PPWS is home to 18 endangered and critically endangered species such as leopards, elephants, the giant ibis and other mammals, birds, and reptiles. The sanctuary is also important in terms of social and cultural aspects for the indigenous communities who live within the realms of the forest.
"PPWS is of global importance as it is rich in natural resources and biodiversity," Chhith Sam Ath, director of WWF-Cambodia, said in a statement last week. "The approval of this zoning plan will play a key role in protecting the forest and its biodiversity."
