The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Cambodia contributed to saving the forests in Tbaeng Meanchey, Preah Vihear Province, by providing some measures such as financial assistance and educating the local community about the importance of forests, so villagers became more effective, and turned from loggers to tourism agents. The director of eco-tourism protection, Chan Vanno, stated that the forests were in a state of chaos, as people came to cut trees and kill animals, but due to the programs of the USAID, everyone joined to protect the forest after knowing how important it is to them, by establishing a patrol department to protect the forest from the members of the local community in return for a sum of money for each patrol. The total area of the forest is about 1,447 hectares, where 80% of the forests remain and contain animals like pandas and deer, and it has become a favorite place for many tourists and visitors.
Interview with (Mr. Chan Vanno – Community Director):
“My name is Chan Vanno, and I am the director of Protection Eco-Tourism, it based in Tbaeng Meanchey district, ChheanMukh commune, Sethakech Village. It is 1447 hectares in total. It is 80% remaining forest until today, and there are many animals since we start this community to protect the forest like panda and deer, I saw it during patrol. It is better nowadays because USAID works directly with our community, so we to take action easily because we have enough budget to pay for our villagers. If we talk about before we create the community, this place used to be anarchy, many people come here to cut the trees and kill an animal in the forest, nobody care. But right now, everyone trusts us and joins us to protect the forest, they knew its importance. For example, if we kill an animal, they can eat or sell it for only one time, but if we keep it for showing to the tourist, we can earn money many times. So, they start to understand the value of the forest.”
Source- A24
