The Integrated Community Development project in Chumkiri district of Kampot province  (ICD-KP) is one of four ICD projects in provincial target areas which has been  ongoing since 1994. There are various project activities taking place which contribute to the improvement of people’s livelihood and living conditions in 37 villages of the target areas in seven respective communes and these include capacity building, food security, non-formal education, health and sanitation, natural resource management and coordination between the Commune Council (CC) and the Civil Society Organization (CSO).

The Community Forestry (CF) establishment is part of  the ICD-KP project in natural resource management. DPA, in coordination with the Forestry Administration (FA), decided on 16th December, 2010 to organise a meeting to sign the CF agreement which would recognize these CF after legalisation process for a long time.

There are four CF projects in Chumkiri district,  three of which were started by ICD-KP. They include the CF Thmor Soroung Kla located in Sre Cheng commune, CF Prey Khmao located in Sre Khnong commune, CF Domnak Rolus Bovor Thmor Thom located in Sre Somrong commune and Chres commune. DPA-KP began this work in 2004 and it has been recognised as an outstanding achievement by ICD-KP.

The CF signing agreement ceremony was attended by H.E Chea Sam Ang, vice-chief of FA, provincial governor representatives, DPA staff, senior officers from FA at national, provincial and district level and community representatives, totaling approximately 190 people.

“We are very proud of what we have done,” said. Mr. Kruy Chhorn, 62, one of the members of the CF Thmor Soroung Kla management committee.“This recognition letter is very important for us because it is evidence of our efforts.”
“We have the legal right to manage, conserve and protect the forest area as well as lead our CF work.” said Mr. Chhorn.  “At the same time we have to work hand-in-hand to improve our CF management.”

Most of the community people in rural areas depend on natural resources  for their daily lives. Therefore, while the CF project is part of natural resource sustainability, community participation is the key strategy to prevent deforestation, forest land grabbing and the over-exploitation of forest resources.