Bio-diversity

Description The target area of this project covers six communes in two districts in Prey Veng province. Prior to 2002, Prey Veng fishing lots covered most of the target communes and the lot owners had a monopoly on fishing within the boundaries of their fishing lots. In 2002, both lots were cancelled and handed over to communities for family fishing as part of the Government`s fisheries reform. The Department of Fisheries then organized community fisheries at the village and commune level in the two cancelled fishing lots giving management rights over fisheries resources. This project will support the community fisheries that have already been established and recognized in the six target communes, by the Department of Fisheries, through community fisheries federations that are being organized - one in each of the districts This project will help them monitor law enforcement activities and develop strategies to improve enforcement. This project will also help the community fisheries, federations, and self help groups develop strong, transparent financial management systems in which community members can trust. The specific objectives are: 1. Mobilize the target communities to conserve 1.5 ha of flood forest and to rehabilitate 4 ha in the proposed area. 2. Empower women through self help group in decision making, leadership, and management. 3. Build capacity of community fisheries and federations, patrol team, and commune councils. 4. Raise public awareness on conservation, rehabilitation, natural resources management, sustainable use of natural resources, and related laws. The overall objective of this project is that natural resources are managed and used sustainably for the benefit and livelihoods of local communities.

Cambodia