Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environmnet, Resources and Development

On 1st November 1993, His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk issued a Royal Decree to create a National Protected Area System and divided into four categories; National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Protected Landscapes and Multiple-use Management Areas. Peam Krasoap Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the National Protected Areas and considered as the largest coastal habitat in the Southwest part of the country in which mangroves play critical functions in the coastal resources and share ecosystem with marine resources. The area, only at least seven kilometers from the Dongtung (where the provincial Koh Kong downtown is located), Peam Krasoap is dominant of mangrove forest of 1 O,OOOha which covers nearly 40% of the forest areas and the rest are swamp forest, Malaleuca forest and some patches of mixed evergreen forest of the terrestrial forest. The total area of the coastal wildlife sanctuary is 23,750ha and is the largest coastal wetland in the country. The Royal Decree defined Wildlife Sanctuaries as natural areas where nationally significant species of fauna and flora, natural communities, or physical features require specific intervention for their perpetuation. While this represents a major step toward for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management including community based coastal resource management (CBCRM), the Peam Krasoap has been in low levels of community involvement in resource management activities. Therefore, providing opportunities for community involvement in planning is established and empowered. The previously rampant cutting of mangrove in the Peam Krasoap for charcoal, shrimp ponds, firewood and other utilization with high pressure ofhuman's demands have resulted in natural coastal resource depletion. There are some problems due to declining of mangrove forest and fisheries. This facing to be solved by communities' involvement in the implementation and management plans. The legal crackdown on illegal activities conducted in 1996 and then 1997, stepping forward of international agencies to support the community level through the bilateral cooperation between Ministry of Environment and DA.NIDA. Boeng Karchhang and Koh Kang villages may considered as firstly recognized through communities based coastal resources management (CBCRM), in which under supporting from the DA.NIDA supported project - The Environmental Management of the Coastal Zone Project (EMCZP), and IDRC supported the Participatory Management of Mangrove Resources (PMMR). However, due to limited mandate of the projects, together with new establishment of these communities, so that technical support and other critical needs are urgent needed in order to strengthen the existing embryonic communities to become strong and they can be self-confident on the given empowerment through the decentralization policy.