Ministry plans wildlife corridors to boost Cambodia’s biodiversity
Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment gathered a network of government and civil society representatives on November 8 to begin planning the creation of a biodiversity conservation corridor that would make it easier for wildlife to thrive. Biodiversity corridors connect isolated conservation areas with strips of vegetation to allow wild animals to travel from one protected area to the next. Conservationists say the corridors are instrumental in allowing animal populations to grow. “We want to connect the protected areas to make ecosystems function better than they do now,” said ministry official Sao Sopheap. “We want to link the Eastern Plains and the northern part of the Tonle Sap lake with the southern part, and also the coastal marine areas.” Courtney Work, a researcher focusing on environmental policy in Cambodia, said the ministry is homing in on strategies that could have a big impact. “They are talking and thinking in ways that could make a difference in enhancing biodiversity,” Work said.
