Opinion
Fauna & Flora is working to strengthen the management of Virachey National Park, survey its biodiversity and support communities living near the park to ensure that the forest is adequately protected.
Our work in Virachey National Park
Fauna & Flora is conducting camera-trap surveys and using other survey methods including eDNA techniques to survey Virachey National Park’s biodiversity. In addition, we are supporting zonation and management efforts and working with Indigenous communities living adjacent to the protected area – including the Brao and Kavet people. This is to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and support other initiatives that reduce their dependence on hunting and fishing within the park’s boundaries. We are also supporting these communities to strengthen their own management of park resources through community-protected areas.
This is a collaborative effort, and we are working closely with national and sub-national Ministry of Environment offices, Indigenous communities and local civil society organisations.
Project goals
Working closely with the Ministry of Environment, we aim to strengthen the management of Virachey National Park to secure greater protection for this vital biodiversity haven. This involves:
- Conducting biodiversity surveys to better understand the biodiversity of this little-explored protected area, including presence, status and distribution of threatened species.
- Building the capacity of the Provincial Department of Environment to strengthen protection of the area.
- Supporting Indigenous communities to establish sustainable agroforestry south of the park, reducing encroachment.
- Supporting Indigenous communities with the management of community protected areas.
- Working with the Ministry of Environment to establish a zonation and management plan.
With forest areas shrinking across the region, now is the time to prioritise protection of remaining gems like Virachey National Park. The Cambodia-Lao PDR-Vietnam transboundary landscape it is part of not only offers one of Southeast Asia’s last refuges to a host of threatened species but is also of critical importance for the generation of nature-based solutions to the climate crisis.
Pablo Sinovas
Country Director, Cambodia
With forest areas shrinking across the region, now is the time to prioritise protection of remaining gems like Virachey National Park. The Cambodia-Lao PDR-Vietnam transboundary landscape it is part of not only offers one of Southeast Asia’s last refuges to a host of threatened species but is also of critical importance for the generation of nature-based solutions to the climate crisis.
Pablo Sinovas
Country Director, Cambodia
Project timeline
Leam Sou, a ranger with the Ratanakiri Provincial Department of Environment, sets a camera trap deep inside Virachey National Park. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora
2021
Large-antlered muntjac captured on camera trap for first time in Cambodia.
Yellow-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae) with young. © Edwin Butter / Adobe Stock
2018
Fauna & Flora undertakes population assessment of the northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon, finding that Virachey National Park is the species’ most important global stronghold.
Partners
This project is delivered in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Environment, Rattanakiri and Steung Treng Provincial Departments of Environment and the Non-Timber Forest Products Organisation.
Donors
We are grateful for financial support from the Darwin Initiative, Prince Bernhard Nature Fund and the Lucille Foundation.
Camera trap image of large-antlered muntjac. © Fauna & Flora
Cambodia's last frontier
The dazzling diversity in one of Asia’s last great wilderness areas is under severe threat.
Please support our vital work today and help save Virachey National Park and its irreplaceable biodiversity.
Please help save Vietnam's wildlife© Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora
Country Director, Cambodia
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