Gov’t Updates & Establishes 33 National Parks & Protected Areas Expanding to Over 2m Hectares

• 3 September 2023
• Local News
• 3290 Views

The Government of Cambodia has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to renovate and establish 33 national parks and protected areas, encompassing an expansive total of 2,574,476.41 hectares. This decision underscores the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its natural and cultural heritage.

The creation and expansion of these protected areas are guided by a noble purpose – the preservation and protection of Cambodia’s rich tapestry of natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, wildlife, flora, and cultural treasures. Moreover, this initiative aims to foster active participation from local communities and the public, soliciting their vital contributions to the stewardship, protection, and conservation of not only biodiversity but also local natural resources.

1. Samuth Ream National Park has been changed from “Sihanoukville National Park” to “Ream Sea National Park” with an area of 39,634 hectares, geographically located in Preah Sihanouk and Kampot provinces, with an area of 19,340 hectares and a water area of 20,294 hectares.
2. Prek Teuk Sap Kbal Chhay has been established as a multi-use area with a total area of 5,570 hectares located in Sihanoukville, Prey Nob district and Stung Hav district, Preah Sihanouk province.
3. Koh Rong National Park is established as Koh Rong National Park, including Koh Rong, Koh Rong, Samloem, Koh Koun, Koh Toch, Koh Ta Team, Koh Mnas Krao, Koh Mnas In, and the surrounding sea with a total area of 52,448 hectares. In Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong provinces, with an area of 5,311 hectares and a total sea area of 47,137 hectares.
4. Landscape protection area “Ronam Daun Sam” was established as a landscape protection area with a total area of 1,423 hectares located in Tuol Pong commune, Malai district, Banteay Meanchey province.
5. “Boeung Yak Om-Yak Kara” was established as a landscape protection area with an area of 132.50 hectares located in Seda commune, Lumphat district, Ratanakkiri province.
6. The “Sambo Prei Kuk” landscape protection area was established as a 438-hectare landscape protection area in Prasat Sambo district, Kampong Thom province.
7. Sangkha Rukhavorn Wildlife Sanctuary was established as a wildlife sanctuary area with a total area of 30,254 hectares in Anlong Veng district, Chong Kal district, and Samrong city, Oddar Meanchey province.
8. Multi-use area “Boeung Yak Loam” has been established as a multi-use area with an area of 225 hectares, located in Sangkat Yak Loam, Banlung city, Ratanakkiri province.
9. Multi-use area “Ponhea Krek” was established as a multi-use area with an area of 199 hectares in Tbong Khmum province.
10. Multi-use area “Toul Porn Tali” has been established as a multi-use area of 3,557 hectares in Prey Veng, Svay Antor, Peam Ro, and Ba Phnom districts, Prey Veng province.
11. The Prek Toal core area of the Tonle Sap Lake Biosphere Reserve has been established as the “Prek Toal Ramsar” area with a total area of 21,342 hectares, located in Koh Chiveang commune, Ek Phnom district and Kampong Preah commune, Sangke district, Battambang province.
12. Landscape protection area “Bakan Temple (Preah Khan, Kampong Svay)” was established as a landscape protection area with a total area of 2,124 hectares in Srong Sangkum Thmey area, Preah Vihear province.
13. The Stung Sen core area of the Tonle Sap Lake Biosphere Reserve is established as the “Ramsar Stung Sen” area with a total area of 9,293 hectares, located in Phat Sanday commune, Kampong Svay district, Kampong Thom province.
14. Ang Trapeang Thmor Protected Landscape Area has been transformed into a protected area with a total area of 12,650 hectares in Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey provinces.
15. Multi-use area “Lion Pillar” has been converted into a multi-use area with a total area of 839 hectares in Kratie province.
16. “Siem Pang” Wildlife Sanctuary was established as a wildlife sanctuary with a total area of 133,707.73 hectares located in Santepheap commune, Thmor Keo commune, and Prek Meas commune, Siem Pang district, Stung Treng province.
17. Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary has been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary from a total size of 372,971 hectares to 372,707 hectares in Mondulkiri province.
18. Multi-use area “Samlot” has been transformed into a multi-use area from a total area of 60,000 hectares to 60,994 hectares in Pailin and Battambang provinces.
19. The “Anlong Pring” landscape protection area has been transformed into a landscape protection area from a total size of 217 hectares to 219 hectares in Kampot province.
20. “North Tonle Sap” landscape protection area has been transformed into a landscape protection area from a total area of 31,159 hectares to 31,787 hectares in Kampot province.
21. Cheab-Preah Rokar Wildlife Sanctuary has been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary with a total area of 347,568 hectares in Preah Vihear and Stung Treng provinces.
22.  “Boeung Lumkot” landscape protection area was established as a landscape protection area with a total area of 110.91 hectares in Seda commune, Lumphat commune, Ratanakkiri province.
23.  “Phnom Prech” Wildlife Sanctuary was transformed into a wildlife sanctuary from a total size of 222,500 hectares to 262,242 hectares in Mondulkiri province.
24.  Phnom Nam Lear Wildlife Sanctuary has been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary from a total area of 47,500 hectares to 64,835 hectares in Mondulkiri province.
25.  “Lumphat” Wildlife Sanctuary has been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary from a total area of 250,000 hectares to 356,087 hectares in Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng and Kratie provinces.
26.  “Prey Lang” Wildlife Sanctuary was transformed into a wildlife sanctuary from a total size of 431,683 hectares to 489,663 hectares in Kratie, Kampong Thom, Stung Treng and Preah Vihear provinces.
27.  “Sambo” Wildlife Sanctuary was transformed into a wildlife sanctuary area from a total size of 50,039 hectares to 82,506 hectares in Kratie province.
28.  “Prek Prosop” Wildlife Sanctuary was transformed into a wildlife sanctuary area from a total area of 12,770 hectares to 14,221 hectares in Kratie province.
29.  “Banteay Chhmar” Landscape Protection Area was transformed into a landscape protection area from a total area of 81,200 hectares to 84,825 hectares in Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces.
30.  “Preah Vihear” landscape protection area has been transformed into a landscape protection area from a total area of 5,000 hectares to 47,318 hectares in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.
31.  “Stung Treng” landscape protection area has been transformed into a landscape protection area with a total area of 37,852 hectares in Stung Treng province.
32. Multi-use area “Phnom Neang Kangri-Phnom Touk Meas” has been converted into a multi-use area with a total area of 5,063 hectares located in Trangel commune, Po commune, Chronok commune, Dar commune and Svay Rumpear commune, Kampong Leng district, Kampong Chhnang province.
33.  Multi-use area “Boeung Kade” has been converted into a multi-use area with a total area of 1,643 hectares in Krouch Chhmar and Tambor districts, Tbong Khmum province.

This groundbreaking conservation initiative not only fortifies Cambodia’s commitment to environmental stewardship but also promises to safeguard the nation’s unique natural and cultural treasures for generations to come. It’s a testament to the nation’s dedication to sustainable development and the preservation of its unparalleled biodiversity.

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