Can you own land in natural protected areas?

• 21 February 2023
• Property Focus
• 7055 Views

Natural Protected Areas refer to areas of public property territory of the government such as land, water, beaches and seas within areas controlled by the provisions of the law or newly created areas within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment.

The natural protected area has been divided into 8 types: 1. National Park, 2. Wildlife Sanctuary, 3. Landscape protected area, 4. Multiple use area, 5. Ramsar area, 6. Biosphere reserve, 7. Natural cultural area and 8. National sea park.

All of these 8 kinds are divided into 4 management areas including:

1. Core area: An area of ​​high value for the conservation of endangered, threatened, and ecologically fragile animal and plant species.
2. Conservation area: A management area adjacent to a core area which is under conservation for natural resources, ecosystems, and natural landscapes.
3. Sustainable use area: A management area with high economic value, serving the national economic development and contributing to livelihoods of local communities and indigenous peoples.
4. Community area: It is a management area that serves the socio-economic development of communities and indigenous peoples

Can people own immovable property in these areas?

People can only own and use the land in community areas only, but has to be first approved by the Ministry of Environment ahead. A specific land title known as Collective Ownership or Community Ownership is issued for this type of occupancy. (Read more)

According to Land Law, these type of title cannot be transferred or sold.

Besides, the government also allows the development and investment in sustainable use areas at the request of the Ministry of Environment.

The Ministry of Environment also has the right to provide land in the sustainable use area to local communities and indigenous peoples to organize them as community-protected areas.

Local communities and indigenous peoples have no right to cut down or clear forest land in protected area communities which has entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Environment. Land in those areas also cannot be sold or transffered.

Cambodia now has 57 natural protected areas and three diversified conservation corridors covering a total of approximately more than 7.2 million hectares, or 41% of land nationwide. (Read more)

• Laws and Regulation