Recognition of the Phnom Nam Lear Community Protected Area in Mondulkiri province has been announced by the Ministry of Environment.

The area covers more than 600ha and the local community expects that the remaining resources to be fully protected.

Environment minister Say Sam Al signed the announcement on April 6, saying the organisation of the area – located in the Phnom Nam Lear Wildlife Sanctuary in Bou Sra commune’s Putert village in the province’s Pech Chreada district – would encourage the sustainable use of natural resources and contribute to improving the livelihoods of local communities in accordance with government policy.

The announcement confirmed that representatives from the protected area will sign an agreement with the environment ministry's General Department of Local Communities and prepare a statute and community management plan in accordance with the procedures and process for organising protected area communities and the law on natural protected areas.

The area has a community of nearly 200 families, most are Bunong indigenous people.

Beav Salay, a community member, is pleased that his people have been recognised and that he expects the community to be able to participate openly in protecting the remaining natural resources and their culture.

"We are being recognised which is an important point. We have contributed to the protection of the natural beauty, trees, wildlife and traditions for the future. Most of which have been destroyed by people," he said.

Salay hopes that once this is officially recognised, his community will be able to plan and strategically participate in protecting these resources, as currently this area is being encroached upon almost daily.