More than 50,000 hectares in two sanctuaries registered as state land

• 24 April 2020
• Local News
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The Royal Government has announced its intention to register 50,000 hectares of state land in two wildlife sanctuaries – Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary in Koh Kong and Phnum Prech Wildlife Sanctuary in Mundolkirri.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Environment on 11 April 2020, the main purpose of this State Land Registration is to provide a clear “Certificate of Ownership Over Immovable Property” for both wildlife sanctuaries, to reduce and eliminate cases of land grabbing, and to enforce legal measures to contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of systems for managing protected areas.

The implementation of the state land registration project was started in early 2018 in collaboration with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC), the sub-national administration, and with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

To date, the work has achieved a number of notable results. Among them, the MLMUPC has currently issued 18 certifications of land ownership to the Ministry of Environment. Of these certificates, 10 titles certify state land in the core and conservation area of Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary covering 4,672.61 hectares. The other 8 titles are to certify state land in core areas in Phnum Prech Wildlife Sanctuary covering 45,519.26 hectares.

Notably, the figures above the only cover the core and protected areas in Koh Kong and only the core areas in Mondulkiri. However, community areas and sustainable use areas in the wildlife sanctuaries are not under the government’s further measures.

At the same time, the MLMUPC is reviewing the “Certificate of Ownership Over Immovable Property” for the protected area of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary. The Project Implementation Team is also continuing the procedure and process of registration of state land in the Sustainable Use Area of both wildlife sanctuaries, such as the public dissemination of 15-day land judgment documents and the implementation of priority activities in the field.

The registration of these lands has been made in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, especially the 2008Law on Sanctuary, the 2001Land Law, and the principle of establishments and division of sanctuary areas as 1) community area 2) sustainable use area 3) conservation area and 4) core area.

Meanwhile, the request for the land division for land areas covered by sub-decree 80 and the Botum Sakor National Park in Koh Kong for residents have not yet reached the approval process. (Read more)

According to the MoE’s press release, dated 16 April 2020, Cambodia currently has 57 natural protected areas and 3 three biodiversity conservation corridors covering over 7.2 million hectares.

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