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(23).  Environment and Natural Resource Management

Though the area of environment and natural resource management is not specifically referred to in the NGO CG Statement, it is a cross-cutting area of interest as it directly affects many other issues associated with poverty in both the rural and urban sectors. 

Section 4.5.6. of the NPRS refers to Sustainable Management and Use of  Natural Resources and the Environment, and indicates that the RGC’s National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) focuses on six priority areas:

• forest policy;
• fisheries and floodplain agriculture in the Tonle Sap region;
• coastal fisheries management;
• biodiversity and protected areas;
• energy development; and,
• urban waste management.

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) has articulated four basic principles recognizing:

• “the link between poverty alleviation and the environment;”
• “the importance of communities, including “Structured interventions to provide local communities with the skills to manage the natural resource base on which their livelihoods depend is the most effective way of achieving sustainable management of these resources;”
• “the need for institutional capacity building; and,
• “the importance of an integrated approach to environmental planning.”

The NPRS also observes that there is “a need to incorporate environmental impact assessments (EIA) and compliance procedures in new project screening procedures.” In this regard, the MOE also intends to “promote public participation in environmental protection and natural resources management so that people are able to provide information and to participate in the decision-making process concerning the environment. 

This section also refers to the importance of bio-diversity, and provides two examples of action taken in this regard, including management of the Vriak Chey National park and the preparation of a Bio-diversity National Action Plan. It also notes that “some forest concessions in the Cardamom Mountains have ended and transferred to forest reserve by the government.”

In terms of urban waste management, the RGC is trying to “enhance Stung Mean Chey’s landfill to prevent adverse impact on human health and the environment.” It also refers to the fact that “the management of solid waste from garment factories has been improved,” and that “seventy percent of existing factories now have their own waste water treatment plant.”

In this section, the NPRS also acknowledges “pesticide use in agriculture continues to be a great concern, and thus MOE will take as part of its tasks to the reduction of the environmental impact of widespread use of agrochemicals as well as the elimination of the use of dangerous pesticides (including DDT). This section also goes on to say that “the MOE will perform not only the enforcement of regulations, but will also undertake public education programs to ensure that farmers and consumers have access to information on pesticides and their hazards.”

Finally, the NPRS observes that “illegal logging and resource extraction, and land and fishery concessions are big threats to the natural resources.”

It is interesting to note the reference to natural resources in Section 4.2.7. Industrial Development in which the NPRS states: “The promotion of natural resource-based industry will focus on identifying and exploiting opportunities in processing of natural resources, including non-metallic mineral resources, timber, and fisheries. The development of animal and fish breeding may permit their supply as a raw material for reprocessing factories. However, the main prospects in this area are in the use of non-metallic resources for manufacture of construction materials.”

Section 4.2.7. also states that “The core strategy for agro-industry development is to grant concession land plots to both domestic and foreign companies on a long-term basis, and to encourage the participation of local small landholders through contract growing for processing factories in the area…. Strengthening the economic linkage between agriculture and industry within the context of sound environmental management is seen as essential to the creation of incomes and employment.”

NGO Action:

In addition to suggested actions in the Land Reform, Fisheries, and Forestry sections, NGOs should:

• Seek clarification concerning the procedures and criteria associated with environmental impact assessments (EIA), including community participation, and comment as appropriate;

• Monitor the MOE’s progress in terms of enforcing legislation concerning the use of agricultural pesticides, as well as public education programs to inform farmers of related hazards;

• Seek clarification on the RGC’s plans concerning agro-industry development, with special focus on “natural resource based industries,” (For example, how will EIAs be applied to agro-processing projects in the private sector?). 

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