USAID’s environmental strategy is subsumed under
its democratic and governance objective, particularly
under increased transparency and corruption—to
build increased transparency in natural resources
management. USAID experience in other countries had
indicated that
community based natural resources management and
strengthened local government NRM capacity often
provide an important
first step towards democracy and gives local government
the skills and confidence needed to promote civil
society objectives and democratic governance.
USAID/Cambodia was formerly an important donor in
environment and natural resource management through
the Cambodia
Environmental Management Program, CEMP, that was
begun in 1996 and terminated in 1997as a result of
the conflict
of that time. CEMP supported activities in environmental
policy, applied environmental management, strategic
planning, biodiversity conservation, environmental
policy, applied
environmental management, strategic planning, biodiversity
conservation, and environmental constituency building.
Under its East Asian and Pacific Initiative (EAP),
the ANE Bureau has provided a mechanism for support
of community
protection of wildlife, community based natural resources
management activities. In 2003, agreements with Community
Forestry International (CFI) and WildAid will provide
support to communities to protect natural resources
critical to their survival, enhancing the livelihoods
of poor
people the livelihoods of people living in poverty,
while strengthening the capacity of civil society institutions
and local government to work with communities in managing
natural resources. CFI will also provide policy guidance
and expertise to local organizations to implement new
Government of Cambodia policies on forestry and natural
resource management. |
