Environmental research

Project, conservation of brood fish and Freshwater shrimp, and promotion of local livelihood in Ba Sre community, Takeo province, is formulated in response to the recent severe degradation and destruction of flooded forest that serve as aquatic habitats and the natural environment. According to findings from VRA undertaken in 6 villages between 14 and 15 September 2011, in Basre commune, Angkor Borey district, with 114 participants, 59 women, climate-related extreme events such as drought, flooding, wind storm, and lightning have posed negative effects on agrarian based livelihood of local communities and as people have limited access to farmland, they cannot produce enough food for consumption. As the area is suitable for conservation of aquatic resources that provides basis for adaptation to CC, the Basre CFi has proposed four actions as follows: 1) awareness raising of the importance of NRM; 2) Improvement of brood fish conservation habitats; 3) Replanting flooded forest; and 4) Formulation of women saving groups. Based on VRA and current climate trend in the area, Basre CFi has proposed a project to UNDP to restore the situation in their area. 1.2 Project goal The project aims to ensure improved resources and conditions that were in the past worn out including important aquatic habitats and natural environment to provide basis for local community livelihood and socio-economic improvement and thus contribute to poverty reduction in the community as well as building their capacity to adapt to CC. Objective 1: To raise awareness and understanding with 3,782 villagers, 1,896 women, from 1,254 households in Ba Sre CFi, Ang Kor Bori district, Takeo province, of aquatic resource conservation and protection of Bot Anlong Pring fishing ground. Objective 2: To protect 50,000 ha flooded forest effectively and replant 25,000 m2 degraded flooded land with indigenous flooded forest tree species; and Objective 3: To improve livelihood of local villagers thus build their capacity to adapt to CC, such as flood and drought, through diversifying livelihood activities by local CFi members. 1.3 Project outcome Outcome 1.1 (Objective 1): Awareness raised with the public of the Anlong Pring brood fish conservation area with formal designation for protection by local community as a means to promote their livelihood; Outcome 2.1 (Objective 2): Anlong Pring brood fish conservation area demarcated and recognized by FiA and local authority for their effective conservation; and Outcome 3.1 (Objective 3): Local livelihood diversified by members of CFi in Ba Sre to ensure food security and with saving groups established. 1.3 Expected output and major activities Output 1.1.1: Awareness raised with Basre CFi members on conservation and establishment of Anlong Pring brood fish conservation area. Activities - Organize 2 awareness events with 100 participants, 45 women, on Bot Anlong Pring to be designated as conservation area. Output 2.1.1: Bot Anlong Pring conservation area designated and demarcated. Activities - Demarcate the boundary of the conservation area with 12 post market at 0.5x0.3x0.9m; - Placing 387 tree stumps to create artificial habitats and also to deter illegal fishing; - Placing 6 sign boards and 2 billboards, 1m x 1.8m, giving instruction and direction for Bot Anlong Pring conservation area; - Placing 245 post markers, 0.1x0.1x3.5m; and - Enhancement of flooded forest with planting 6,250 saplings of Tras, Raing, Kdol and Thleum Andeuk on 25,000 m2. Output 2.2.1: Illegal fishing reduced. Activities - Organize 2 awareness raising meetings about the provisions of fisheries law with 80 participants, 40 women; - Develop patrolling plan in coordination with commune authority and fisheries triage, and strengthen patrol team; - Facilitate 3 patrolling a month to prevent illegal fishing and protect flooded forest in the conservation area; and - Provide 2 trainings on fish raising with 80 members, 34 women, to reduce dependence on fishing from the wild and to promote local livelihood. Output 3.1.1: Six women saving groups established in Basre CFi with 48 participants, 45 women. Activities - Organize meetings with members of saving group and local authority to select members and head of the women saving group, development of criteria for selection of members, development of by-law and internal regulation for the saving group; - Provide training on how to manage the saving group, record keeping, and financial accounting; - Provide fund to saving groups; and - Organize study tour for 40 participants, 20 women, to Potsar Champei to learn from experience in that community.

Cambodia