Legacy Landscapes Fund Project Candidate | Status 05/2021
The Central Cardamom Mountains National Park is Cambodia’s first designated protected area. It is situated in South East Cambodia at the center of the Cardamom Mountains Rainforest Landscape, the largest wilderness area in mainland Southeast Asia, covering more than 10,000 km².
Over 96 percent of the national park is intact, as its forest cover suffered only low levels of deforestation compared to surrounding forest areas. Consequently, Central Cardamom Mountains National Park provides critical habitats to over 400 vertebrate species, 70 fish species, and over 200 plant species, many of which are endemic to this region. Additionally, the park functions as a vital watershed in Cambodia, accounting for an estimated 30% of the dry season freshwater flows to the Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s most important inland fishery.
Widespread poverty among local communities is a main driver for increased pressure on the park, such as the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. For this reason, livelihood programs for local communities are a key focus area of the park management and its international and national partners. Long-term conservation efforts are needed, given that Cambodia is ranked as one of the countries most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
Key Threats
- Inadequate funding for conservation efforts
- Accelerating exploitation of natural resources
- Illegal logging and poaching
Key Activities
- Improve protected area management capabilities
- Collaborate with local communities in protected area management and expand livelihood opportunities
- Reduce drivers of deforestation and conserve key species
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