Our environmental work
The ADF is implementing a series of activities to protect and restore the forest ecosystem: creation of buffer zones around the archaeological sites, collaboration with rangers to fight illegal logging, provision of training to collect natural resources in a more sustainable way and biodiversity surveys in collaboration with other organisations.
Archaeological Protected Areas (APA or buffer zones)
One of the main threats to the archaeological sites is the proximity of damaging agriculture practices, including deforestation and uncontrolled fires. Under the authority of the APSARA National Authority and with the active participation of the local communities, the ADF is creating environmentally-friendly protected areas around the historical sites, allowing the natural forest to regrow and provide protection to the sites from harsh weather, erosion and damaging agricultural practices.
As of November 2014, five protected areas, covering a total of height hundred hectares and encompassing dozens of archaeological sites, have been delimited with the involvement of local communities. They are regularly patrolled by APSARA workers. This component is supported by ADF and the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation. The archaeological protected areas have been recognized officially in 2015 by the Ministry of Environment, the APSARA National Authority and the Siem Reap Provincial authorities.
As of November 2014, five protected areas, covering a total of height hundred hectares and encompassing dozens of archaeological sites, have been delimited with the involvement of local communities. They are regularly patrolled by APSARA workers. This component is supported by ADF and the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation. The archaeological protected areas have been recognized officially in 2015 by the Ministry of Environment, the APSARA National Authority and the Siem Reap Provincial authorities.
Sustainable honey harvesting training
© Dani Jump
The giant honeybee, Apis dorsata, is a large species of honeybee naturally present in Cambodia. These bees are commonly found in the forests of Angkor and Phnom Kulen and usually live on a single, free-hanging comb attached to the branches of the dominant trees. Hives are collected by villagers, who eat the honey, wax and larvae, destroying the colony in the process.
By teaching villagers how to collect honey without harming the larvae and killing the queens, the ADF allows them to collect this valuable forest product in a more sustainable way, for selling it or for their own consumption. This ensures that the resource remains available for other villagers and generations to come.
This component was implemented, thanks to a generous donor, from 2013 to may 2014.
By teaching villagers how to collect honey without harming the larvae and killing the queens, the ADF allows them to collect this valuable forest product in a more sustainable way, for selling it or for their own consumption. This ensures that the resource remains available for other villagers and generations to come.
This component was implemented, thanks to a generous donor, from 2013 to may 2014.
Biodiversity survey
© Ben Hayes / Alistair Mould
The fauna and flora of Phnom Kulen has been little studied and remains largely unknown. No comprehensive list of animals and plants has been put together yet, and it's very likely that new species to science will be found on the plateau. To highlight the natural richness of its ecosystem, the ADF is facilitating the implementation of biodiversity surveys on Kulen.
Since 2012, a team of biologists has been conducting surveys on Phnom Kulen to identify the species present in the National Park, with a special focus on bats, reptiles, amphibians and birds. The survey is being funded through ISAC and supervised by Ben Hayes and Alistair Mould, two biologists from the UK who have been working in Cambodia for many years.
Since 2012, a team of biologists has been conducting surveys on Phnom Kulen to identify the species present in the National Park, with a special focus on bats, reptiles, amphibians and birds. The survey is being funded through ISAC and supervised by Ben Hayes and Alistair Mould, two biologists from the UK who have been working in Cambodia for many years.
Fight against illegal logging
Like every forest in Cambodia, Phnom Kulen is heavily threatened by illegal logging. Large trees are being cut illegally and the wood is used for building furniture or decorative elements. The pressure on the largest trees is mostly driven by the international demand for hard wood, by the local market for furniture and the tourism industry in Siem Reap. Logging is usually perpetrated at the request of influent Cambodian people with the complicity of local authorities.
As the ADF is often working in remote areas of the national park that are not patrolled by the rangers, we systematically record and report illegal logging cases to the rangers of the Ministry of Environment and facilitate their investigation work.
As the ADF is often working in remote areas of the national park that are not patrolled by the rangers, we systematically record and report illegal logging cases to the rangers of the Ministry of Environment and facilitate their investigation work.
