Title
Rice protects Critically Endangered birds
Author(s)
Sakmay, S.
Published
2015
Publisher
Cambodian Journal of Natural History
Abstract
Inspiring subsistence communities to protect wildlife is a challenge. The Ibis Rice project is a payments for ecosystem service scheme in Cambodia that tries to do this. Initiated in 2007, it targets communities located inside protected areas with many endangered species, such as giant ibis, white-shouldered ibis, Eld’s deer and Asian elephant. The communities depend on the forest and surrounding areas for their livelihoods, which overlap with important wildlife habitat. The Ibis Rice project builds on land use plans developed by the community and the relevant government institutions with the help of WCS, as part of the zoning process clarifying resource tenure and management responsibilities. Through an elected Village Marketing Network (VMN), the Ibis Rice project pays a premium price for rice to farmers who abide by land use plan rules and regulations. Implementing the project requires providing the correct forums, incentives and procedures for att itude and behavioural changes to occur. I will highlight the specifi c steps undertaken by the VMN and community to transparently monitor compliance and complete the buying process. Over the years, the process has moved from being supervised by WCS and the VMN to being monitored by the communities themselves, and the project has grown from four to 18 villages. Since 2013, the communities have involved their commune councils, thereby institutionalizing the process. Villagers now accept that the process is not biased and there are no confl icts regarding decisions. There is the beginning of ownership and compliance, and we hope it will become stronger with time.
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.
![]()
Back
PUB15703