Posted on December, 31 2007
Support of indigenous livelihoods is an important part of WWF Cambodia’s approach to ensuring the long-term protection of natural areas. Field research coordinator, Khou Eanghourt, describes a study which identified ten sustainably harvestable non-timber forest products (NTFPS) which can contribute significantly to the well-being of local communities.
Deciduous forests cover large areas of WWF’s main protected sites, Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and Mondulkiri Protected Forest in Cambodia’s eastern plains. Also present are patches of other forest types such as evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests, bamboo forests, grassland areas and gallery forests.
This combination forms a richness of biodiversity which provides invaluable sources of forest products for forest dwellers. A recent study at Sre Thom Village in Mondulkiri Province identified these products and their role in supporting local livelihoods in an attempt to achieve their more sustainable harvest and use.
1- Wild edible leaves. Eighteen plant species have edible leaves, and are thus used for vegetables. Young shoots growing during the early rainy season are collected from late March to early June. Bamboo, bamboo like and shoots are collected in the rainy season while rattan palm hearts are collected year round.
2- Mushroom. Between April and May, four to five species of wild edible mushrooms are collected from deciduous forests and nearby villages for food.
3- Wild fruits. Fourteen edible fruit producing species inhabit different forest types and are collected at different times of the year.
4- Medicinal plant. Fruits, barks, roots, woods, exudations, and leaves of medicinal plants are collected for trade, disease treatment and food.
5- Traditional wine recipes. Leaves of wild peppers are traditionally collected in gallery forests all year round to make wine.
6- Honey. Honey is collected from many forest types for sale outside the village, with surprisingly little used within the household. Honey is one of the major cash income generating NTFPs for forest dwellers and between February and March, around one-third of villagers collect it.
7- Resin. Solid and liquid resin is extensively collected by many households for commercial trade and is a major source of income for indigenous people. Solid resin producing species, Phachoek and Reang, and liquid resin producing species, Trach, naturally dominate in deciduous dipterocarp forest. Another resin producing species, Chheuteal Toek, is present in semi-evergreen forest and gallery forests. All resin is processed into torches for lighting at night.
8- Construction and basketry materials. Certain plant species like rattans, bamboos, thatches and small trees provide raw materials for constructions and basketry. These plants occur throughout the various forest types and are opportunistically collected by households.
9- Underground edible parts. Wild yams are collected in the dry season and used instead of rice or snacks. Rhizomes of ginger are collected all year round and used as a spice to flavour soup.
The wide range of NTFPs found in protected areas provide evidence of the broad ecological diversity found in these protected areas, as well as the importance of protecting them to support the livelihoods of local communities. This is in addition to the “environmental service” also provided to local communities in terms of flood control in the rainy season, ground water regulation, climate moderation and eco-tourism services.
