Between August 6 and 11, SCS Global – a third-party validation and verification firm – embarked on a field visit to the Lomphat REDD+ Project site in Ratanakkiri province. NATURELIFE CAMBODIA
Two conservation organisations – NatureLife Cambodia and BirdLife International – intend to amend carbon credit project documents in the coming months.
This decision follows recommendations from SCS Global, an international environmental sustainability consultant. They made these recommendations after conducting a field visit and engaging in discussions with the relevant stakeholders.
BirdLife International detailed in a social media post that between August 6 and 11, SCS Global – a third-party validation and verification firm – embarked on a field visit to the Lomphat REDD+ Project site in Ratanakkiri province.
This initial validation trip included a series of meetings involving all key stakeholder groups. Among those present were the deputy governors of Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri provinces, representatives from the provincial environment departments, and management teams from Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary spanning both provinces.
Also present were deputy governors of Lomphat and Koh Nheak districts and the commune chiefs of Sre Angkrong, Serei Mongkol, Chey Otdam, Roya, and Nang Khi Leuk. Village chiefs from areas including Phum Mouy, Phum Pi, Phum Bei, Srepok Thom, Thmei, Sre Chhouk, Sre Chrey, and Roveak villages were also in attendance. They were joined by representatives from O’Koki, Veal Kambor and O Rey community protected areas (CPAs).
Local biodiversity conservation groups, village marketing network representatives from areas like Sre Chrey, Srepok Thom and Thmei, as well as a considerable number of park rangers and local community members, were also present.
The SCS team took the opportunity to inspect several forest inventory plots to evaluate the methodologies adopted. They further explored certain forest sites to gain deeper insights into the various forest layers and land-use patterns within the project vicinity.
To conclude their visit, the SCS team had a meeting with the USAID Morodok Baitang chief of party. As a response to the recommendations from the audit firm, both NatureLife Cambodia and BirdLife International are poised to revise the project documents in the ensuing months.
Gratitude was expressed to all the partners and stakeholders who contributed their time and expertise to provide invaluable information and insights. Appreciation was also extended to USAID Morodok Baitang and BirdLife International for their financial backing of the Lomphat REDD+ Project.
While the Ministry of Environment is the primary proponent of the Lomphat REDD+ Project, BirdLife International and NatureLife Cambodia stand as the project's key implementation partners.
