Policy Analysis for Biodiversity Conservation in Cambodia: The Protected Areas System

Abstract

The Government of Cambodia recognizes the importance of biodiversity conservation. Following broad consultation and collaboration with stakeholders, it has created national policies and legislation for environmental and natural resources management over the next decade and also to compliance with country’s obligations under relevant international treaties and conventions. This paper sets out the existing national environmental and natural resources management’s policies and legislation, focusing on the protected areas system management in Cambodia. The specific objective is to analyze policy gaps in biodiversity and natural resources conservation; and assess its’ effectiveness implementation. There are three phases in the assessment process: 1) gathering, listing and reviewing existing policies and legislations to highlight the significant contents in competences to natural resources conservation and management; 2) analyzing and identifying content gaps and opportunities to implement “Protected Areas Law” and relevant legislation in contribute to biodiversity management; 3) reviewing and examining national legislations, the provisions reflect on Cambodia’s obligations under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Among 9 specific laws and some relevant policies and strategic plan there is approximate one third are found they have specific provisions related to biodiversity management and relevant to the protected areas system management. The analysis of “Protected Areas Law” shown a significant gap for unmanageable of protected areas that are not designated by Royal Decree on 1 November 1993 and neither financial mechanism nor guideline for zoning identification and management. The analysis showed that lack of specific policy on biodiversity management lead to challenges for sustainable use of natural resources with no return monitory benefits from ecosystem services. In conclusion, this paper will present opinions and recommendations to address policy gaps and enhance the implementation of existing laws.