Cambodia to Transform Phnom Kulen National Park into a Premier Eco-Tourism Destination

• Proeksa Meas
• 16 July 2026
• Local News
• 199 Views

A comprehensive government initiative seeks to balance strict environmental conservation with sustainable community livelihoods at the historic birthplace of the Khmer Empire…

The Royal Government of Cambodia has unveiled a strategic development framework aimed at transforming the Phnom Kulen National Park region into a premier, highly sustainable eco-tourism destination. This multi-sectoral initiative is designed to modernize local tourism infrastructure while enforcing rigorous environmental protections across one of the Kingdom’s most ecologically and historically significant protected areas.

Phnom Kulen, located in Siem Reap province, holds a sacred place in Cambodian history as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire, where King Jayavarman II declared independence in 802 AD. Beyond its profound cultural and archaeological heritage—including the iconic River of a Thousand Lingas, historic pagodas, and ancient rock carvings—the mountain serves as a vital watershed for the entire Siem Reap provincial basin and the Angkor World Heritage site.

According to institutional outlines from the Ministry of Environment, the modernization plan centers on a strict zoning strategy. The framework divides the national park into dedicated conservation zones to safeguard dense forest cover and wildlife habitats, alongside designated eco-tourism corridors. These tourism zones will feature low-impact, eco-friendly accommodations, upgraded trekking trails, and enhanced waste management systems to accommodate rising international and domestic visitor volumes without degrading the natural landscape.

A core pillar of the government’s vision is the active integration of local communities into the tourism value chain. By transitioning rural residents away from traditional, resource-depleting practices such as subsistence farming and illegal foraging, the plan establishes structured community-based ecotourism (CBET) programs. Local villagers are being trained to operate as professional tour guides, manage hospitality services, and market localized handicraft industries, ensuring that economic benefits flow directly into the local economy.

Furthermore, the development aligns with the Ministry of Environment’s broader environmental campaigns, emphasizing a plastic-free environment and aggressive reforestation efforts. By restoring degraded forest segments and introducing modern green technologies, Cambodia aims to showcase Phnom Kulen National Park as a model of climate-resilient, sustainable tourism development within Southeast Asia. (read more)

• Tourism and Travelling
• heritage
• Ministry of tourism
• Ecotourism
• World Heritage