home
cover
1. recommendations
2. introduction
3. the case for positive conditionality & international responsibility
4. the forest policy reform project & the steering committee
5. transparency
6. forest yield & revenue potential
7. concession activity and review
8. dfw–enforcement & jurisdiction
9. situation update–general
special military region
military region 1
military region 2
military region 3
military region 4
military region 5
10. the role of cambodia’s neighbours & other importing countries
thailand
laos
vietnam
japan
11. opportunities
the forest stewardship council (fsc)
protected areas and world heritage status
12. conclusion
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Protected Areas and World Heritage Status
Over the past 20 years when concern for the future of the world’s forests has been at its highest, the international community has completely failed to prevent the activities of rapacious logging companies or to arrest the freefall decline of forest area.
On Cambodia’s doorstep are two opportunities to create one of the world’s most respected timber industries with a guaranteed market at premium prices, and to be known world wide as the home of two of the most important areas of biological significance in SE Asia. To achieve both of these aims is already beyond other countries in SE Asia whose forest resources are too severely depleted.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The FSC is an independent international organisation which provides an international standard for sustainably harvested timber. In cooperation with organisations like the Worldwide Fund for Nature the FSC brings together timber producers, sellers and NGOs.
Timber companies who want to produce or sell timber and timber products to FSC standards undertake to follow strict harvesting guidelines and undergo independent verification from the concession to the end user. The FSC logo is a guarantee that the timber concerned really does originate from sustainable sources.
FSC timber commands premium prices and world supply cannot currently cannot satisfy demand (for example, 20% of the total UK timber market is now FSC and set to grow).
If the RGC were to demand that all concession companies adhered to FSC standards, Cambodia could become the first total FSC nation in the world. This would mean an almost guaranteed market for all its timber products at premium prices, and elevate the country from the club of timber pariahs to the world’s most responsible timber producer. Gaining FSC standard is not easy but with reduced concession areas, solid political will and international assistance is absolutely achievable.
Protected Areas and World Heritage Status
Experts believe that two areas of biological significance in Cambodia are potentially worthy of World Heritage Status. The Cardamom Mountains including the Phnom Samkos and Aural Wildlife Sanctuaries and the area that links them contain some of the highest tiger and elephant populations in SE Asia and, it is believed, many undiscovered plant species. The area west of the Mekong opposite Stung Treng, currently under concession to Pheapimex—Fuchan and Everbright is probably the largest area of lowland evergreen forest in SE Asia.
Apart from their obvious biological significance the discovery of new species would accelerate World Heritage Status. If these areas were removed from concession and put under effective protected area management they would attract scientists from all over the world, world media attention and would significantly boost tourism. In turn Cambodia’s image abroad would be dramatically enhanced. The extension of protected area status to these areas would make up, in part, for the severe degradation that has taken place in existing protected areas including Kirirom, Bokor, Ream, Phnom Kulen, Snoul, Botum Sakor, Virachey and Lomphat.
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