E-Sak Ka Ou Declaration underscores Indigenous rights as a conservation solution (commentary)

  • The E-Sak Ka Ou Declaration calls attention to the key role of Indigenous peoples to (as well as the challenges they face from) climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation programs.
  • A word meaning ‘gill of the manta ray’ and released ahead of COP28 last year by Asian Indigenous leaders, the E-Sak Ka Ou Declaration is a reminder of what remains undone toward upholding the rights of Indigenous communities.
  • Commitments at the global level to recognize Indigenous knowledge and protect communities’ rights must also be reflected in regional and national policy frameworks, a new op-ed argues.
  • This post is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Mongabay.

 

Read the full article at: E-Sak Ka Ou Declaration underscores Indigenous rights as a conservation solution (commentary) (mongabay.com)

Verra Opens Investigation into Wildlife Alliance’s REDD+ Project

An international organization accrediting global forest conservation projects has opened an investigation into the Southern Cardamom REDD+ project run by the NGO Wildlife Alliance and the Environment Ministry.

Read the full article at: Verra Opens Investigation into Wildlife Alliance’s REDD+ Project | CamboJA News

New Mondulkiri Airport To Boost Tourism, Economy But Deforestation Concerns Linger

The government has permitted private firm Focus Trans Global Venture Co Ltd (FTGV) to study the construction of a new airport in Mondulkiri province, northeast of Cambodia, as well as invest in a build, operate and transfer (BOT) model, the Office of the Council Minister said on January 9.

Read the full article at: New M’kiri Airport To Boost Tourism, Economy But Deforestation Concerns Linger | CamboJA News

Cambodian Tycoon Companies Starting Approval Process for Dam Projects, Documents Say

Companies chaired by a prominent Cambodian tycoon are quietly starting the approval process for two dormant hydropower dam projects in Cambodia’s Ratanakiri province, according to documents reviewed by VOA, alarming environmentalists who say the projects could disrupt Indigenous people’s livelihoods and the Mekong River ecosystem.

Lower Srepok 3 and Lower Sesan 3 are named for the major Mekong tributaries where they would be built and have been part of Cambodia’s dam pipeline since 2003, when the government began planning hydropower investments. Several Chinese companies pursued approvals for the dams around a decade ago, but the projects did not move forward.

Read the full article at: Cambodian Tycoon Companies Starting Approval Process for Dam Projects, Documents Say (voanews.com)

‘Return Our Sacred Mountain’ – Bunong Natives in Mondulkiri Continue Four-Year Fight for Land Sold Illegally

Radang is a sacred mountain located within the Punong indigenous community land in Pou Lung village in Senmonorom district’s Romnea commune in Mondulkiri province. The villagers have always celebrated the mountain by making offerings to the spirits, an activity that has long prevailed.

However, the Radang Mountain land, covering an area of 4.76 hectares, is now part of a four year-long land dispute after some villagers allegedly sold the mountain land to two outsiders, identified as Phin Sophareak and Seng Yien.

Read the full story at: ‘Return Our Sacred Mountain’ – Punong Natives in Mondulkiri Continue Four-Year Fight For Land Sold Illegally | CamboJA News

Chinese gold miners ‘illegally’ tearing up Cambodian wildlife sanctuary

 

The leaching ponds at Late Cheng’s mining site in Sochet commune, Kampong Thom province, pose a contamination threat to the waterways inside Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. Image by Gerald Flynn / Mongabay.

 

KAMPONG THOM, Cambodia — “The company operates as they please. We’ve asked the authorities for help, but they won’t do anything for us,” said Bunnarith*, a lifelong resident of Snang An village in the densely forested province of Kampong Thom. “The people living in Snang An live here in misery.”

Read full article from Mongabay here: Chinese gold miners ‘illegally’ tearing up Cambodian wildlife sanctuary (mongabay.com)

Indigenous land rights are key to conservation in Cambodia (commentary)

While Indigenous peoples comprise just 6% of the global population, they manage or have tenure rights over at least 38 million km2 in some 87 countries. In many places Indigenous peoples are effective custodians of biodiversity, lands, and seas while sustaining distinct cultural, social and economic values of their communities. Upholding the rights of these communities is therefore increasingly at the center of international climate and biodiversity commitments and agreements.

Read the full article at: Indigenous land rights are key to conservation in Cambodia (commentary) (mongabay.com)

Ethnic Kuy Put Curse on Environment Officials Building Cow Stable in Wildlife Sanctuary

Kuy indigenous peoples in Preah Vihear province’s Chheb district invoked ancestral spirits and held a “curse ceremony” to hex powerful people, including department of environment officials who they say are violating their land rights.

Read the full article at: Ethnic Kuy Put Curse on Environment Officials Building Cow Stable in Wildlife Sanctuary | CamboJA News

Deputy Chief: Authorities Order Kraol People to Apologize On Camera for Burning Ministry Office

Kraol Indigenous apologise for burning down office

The O’Krieng Senchey district administration in Kratie province have ordered the Sre Chis commune authorities to educate minority ethnic groups about the laws and legal instruments related to environmental protection.

Read the full article at: Kraol minority apologise for burning down office | Phnom Penh Post

 

After the burning of the Environment Ministry station, a filing cabinet and bent pieces of corrugated sheet metal were left at the scene. (CamboJA/Andrew Califf)
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