Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Batch of Bokor park ecotourism projects gauged by ministry

Batch of Bokor park ecotourism projects gauged by ministry

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A private firm has submitted proposals to invest in 16 small ecotourism projects in Bokor National Park which are currently being assessed by the Ministry of Environment. Heng Chivoan

Batch of Bokor park ecotourism projects gauged by ministry

A private firm has submitted proposals to invest in 16 small ecotourism projects in Bokor National Park which are currently being assessed by the Ministry of Environment.

Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra told The Post that a joint working group had inspected the investment proposal for the ecotourism projects on March 7 and had dispatched technical officers to analyse on-site data, after which it would request a review and seek approval for the development from Minister of Environment Say Samal.

However, he stressed that under the plans, the project owner will have the right to use only 30 per cent of land allocated, with the other 70 per cent to be set aside for conservation – a decision made to encourage private sector participation in the protection and conservation of natural resources, as well as to promote ecotourism.

Pheaktra said that ecotourism is an important driver of local economic growth because it creates jobs and provides income for the people.

Cambodians are beginning to understand the value of this form of tourism and have increasingly been visiting protected areas, he noted, adding that tourists have been promoting protected areas to others after sightseeing and sampling the local cuisine.

He said that participation of the private sector in the protection and conservation of natural resources may result in more enticing attractions in Kampot province, which most of the national park lies in.

Kampot provincial Department of Tourism director Soy Sinol could not be reached for comment.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia chapter chairman Thourn Sinan told The Post that if the applicant is genuine in their intention to develop the sites into tourist destinations, it would be “really beneficial” for the tourism sector of Cambodia.

But he expressed doubts that the projects would materialise, citing previous examples of such investment projects. “What’s happened in the past with private sector takeover of such small tracts of land is that they have received projects to develop, which they mobilise investors to inject money into.

“If they cannot find investors, they do not develop the projects, and that is a problem,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument