2012 年 3 巻 2 号 p. 72-76
Ang Trapeang Thmor (ATT) is a protected area (PA) which history dates back to the late 1970s with the creation of a huge reservoir for rice irrigation during the Khmer Rouge reign. The designation of ATT as a crane sanctuary in 2000 led to changes in use and management of resources around the area. This study sets to identify the local livelihood strategies in Pongro and Sambour and to define the level of participation, acceptance and understanding of the need for conservation of the Protected Area. Some methods have been selected to collect necessary data such as informal interviews, participatory rural appraisal (PRA) such as a drawing exercise with school children on environmental education and children’s perceptions, awareness on ATT, and nature. Furthermore, focus group discussions were conducted with two groups of villagers separately. The findings reveal that a very common practice of households at Pongro and Sambuor were wet season rice cultivation in ATT, livestock breeding, vegetable growing, collecting NTFP and fishing in ATT. The general perception of the villagers on ATT is negative probably because they passively participate in the management of it and due to the lack of understanding of the aim of the conservation project. There are conflicts between Pongro and Sambuor opposed to the villages south of the main gate of the reservoir over water levels on the reservoir. Water levels and recent increase in cassava prices have led to illegal encroachment into a state forest East of ATT. However the conservation of ATT and the surrounding natural resources still present opportunities in connection to tourism and community forestry that can be beneficial to the villagers of Pongro and Sambuor.
