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(9).  Forestry Sector 

In the NPRS, the main references to the forestry sector are found in Section 4.1.2. (Improving Rural Livelihoods) under Promoting Agricultural Development in the section on Sustainable Natural Resources Management and Conservation, the reference is to Improved Forestry Management and Use:

The NPRS observes that “The forestry sector contributes around 5 percent to GDP, with potential for expansion.”

The RGC is” currently reviewing the status and system of forest concessions and has already taken action on the most important issues. Dialogue is also continuously maintained with the local governments and NGOs to ensure that issues are addressed with regard to the impact of forest policies on the local communities and the poor. Local communities will be empowered to participate in the community forestry programmes. Specific policies to support community forestry management will be established in all forest areas. Local participation can serve as an independent monitoring mechanism in forestry issues.”

The NPRS also includes the following additional actions:  

• “The sustainable management of forest will require careful classification of forest for alternative use, such as non-timber forest products (NTFP) and timber; “
• “To improve present concession system, the development of sustainable management plans, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), has to be made transparent and stakeholder participation needs to increase;”
• “The Forestry Law will be reviewed as information on its effectiveness and implementation is gathered;”
• “The system of fee and permits on NTFPs will also be reviewed in consultation with local user groups;”
• “Efforts should be made to remove barriers to marketing NTFPs (especially resin), since NTFPs can be harvested without negatively affecting the forest and are of great importance for the rural household economy.”

The NPRS later adds that MAFF will: “establish and strengthen community forestry through increasing awareness and understanding of forest, building capacity for community forestry management and planning at DFW and PFO, and assisting forest user groups in implementing and enforcing community forestry management plans.”

The section on Trade Development (4.2.2.) does not contain any specific reference to the forestry sector, though it does mention that “Cambodia can benefit from the increasing world demand for niche agricultural products….” This might suggest some degree of trade activity regarding NTFPs, though this not specifically mentioned.

The section on Industrial Development (4.2.7) indicates that the RGC’s Industrial Development Action Plan (1998-2003) had two goals, which remain: “supporting the development of export-oriented industries, and the development of import-substituting production of selected consumer goods.” These goals are to be achieved by a number actions, including developing natural resource based industries and agro-industries. 

As already noted in the fisheries section, “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…However, the main prospects in this area are in the use of non-metallic resources for manufacture of construction materials. 

The NPRS later in this section 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.”

Section 4.5.6. (Sustainable Management and Use of Natural Resources and the Environment) refers to the RGC’s National Environmental Action Plan (1998-2002), which focuses on six priority areas including forestry policy. The Ministry of Environment’s medium-term objectives include “strengthen protected areas management” and “enhance forest concession management.” 

This section also contains references to community management. For example, the NPRS identifies a second principle as the recognition of “the importance of communities.” Structured interventions to provide local communities with the skills to manage the natural resources base on which their livelihoods depend is the “most effective way of achieving sustainable management of these resources.”

In Section 4.5.7. (Ethnic Minorities), the NPRS states that “MRD will work closely with line ministries of the RGC to ensure that ethnic minorities’ rights and development needs are streamlined and sensitized. For example, MRD will work with MAFF on aspects related to community forestry and forest concessions management, and MLMUPC on aspects related to community ownership of land all of which will have direct implications for the ethnic minorities.” In this sense, there are the following references:

• Sub-decree on community ownership of land is to be completed by the end of 2003;
• Sub-decree on community forestry by early 2004;
• Forests concessions management to be reviewed by effected communities;

The section in 4.2.2. (Improving Rural Livelihoods) concerning Improved Access to Land Management also contains relevant references to the forestry sector in terms of Land Management. 

NGO Action:

In the NGO CG Statement, the NGOs recommended to: (1) Impose a ban on land concessions in forest areas, and increase efforts to stop anarchic logging and all clearing of land (with the exception of traditional swidden); and (2) Remove barriers to marketing NTFPs anmd reson, which can be harvested without negatively affecting the forest.

• Monitoring the development of the Forestry Law and Community Forestry (CF) sub-decree;
• Monitoring the development of a sub-decree on community ownership of land (by the end of 2003);
• Monitoring the review of land concessions in forested areas;
• Monitoring the implementation of social concessions;
• Clarification of procedures/practices regarding Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA);
• Monitoring of the system of fees and permits for NTFPs, as well as lifting other barrier to trade for NTFPs;
• Promoting actions against illegal and unsustainable logging practices and destruction of other forest habitats;
• Promoting effective and fair dispute/conflict resolution mechanisms between communities and large-scale commercial interests.

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