Cambodia Receives $1 Million Annual Support for Cardamom Mountains Conservation

Cambodia Receives $1 Million Annual Support for Cardamom Mountains Conservation

Cambodia’s environmental conservation efforts are set to receive a major long-term boost after the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF) confirmed continued financial support for the protection of the Central Cardamom Mountains landscape.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, LLF will provide approximately $1 million per year for at least 15 years to support conservation programs in the Central Cardamom Mountains National Park.

The announcement came during a meeting between Cambodian Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth and LLF Executive Director Stefanie Lang, alongside representatives from Conservation International Cambodia.

Officials said the funding will help strengthen natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities living near protected forest areas.

Stefanie Lang praised Cambodia’s progress in protecting natural resources and highlighted the active participation of local communities in preserving forests and biodiversity. She reaffirmed LLF’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Cambodia on long-term environmental protection and sustainable development projects.

The Central Cardamom Mountains are considered one of Southeast Asia’s most important ecological regions, home to rare wildlife species, dense forests, and critical freshwater ecosystems.

Minister Eang Sophalleth emphasized Cambodia’s broader environmental goals, including increasing forest coverage, promoting green tourism development, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. He noted that Cambodia is also implementing climate action plans and carbon credit projects aligned with the Paris Agreement.

The ministry is also exploring modern conservation methods, including drone-assisted tree planting and bamboo cultivation projects aimed at restoring degraded forest areas while improving community incomes.

Officials added that Cambodia currently manages 73 protected natural areas covering more than 7 million hectares, representing roughly 41% of the country’s total land area. Authorities say strict law enforcement and community-based conservation programs remain essential to protecting wildlife habitats and preserving biodiversity for future generations.