Cambodia

Overview of Forest Sector

In Cambodia, the forestry administration is the government authority under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in managing forests and forest resources according to the National Forest Sector Policy and this law. National Forest defines forest as the unit of the natural ecosystem or plantation in the forms of wetland, lowland and dry land which covers by natural stands or plantation trees with a height from 5 meters on an area at least 0.5 ha with a canopy of more than 10 percent. The plantations such as rubber, oil palm, teak, acacia and eucalyptus and other kinds of trees which fall under the above criteria will also be classified as forests. Cambodia’s forests are mainly composed of mainly deciduous forest (17.65%) and evergreen forests (15.41%).

Cambodia, one of the countries with huge forest land covers in Southeast Asia, has lost more than 600,000 ha of forest, recording an unprecedented annual loss rate of 1.2% over the past five years. As of 2018, Cambodia’s forests, which were 59% of the total land area in 2006, have decreased to 46%, and now have 8,510,807 ha of forests, including rubber plantation, palm oil plantation, and other permanent crops. High demand for firewood and charcoal, illegal logging, unsustainable cycles of cultivation and weak law enforcement drive this rapid deforestation and degradation which is leading to a loss of biodiversity and land erosion, while flash floods could occur frequent. Conversion of land is primarily caused by commercial agriculture and extraction industries, adding pressure on Cambodia’s forestry sector. Currently, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has taken measures to address the issues by implementing policies and laws, and by joining the REDD+ initiative under the UNFCCC.

The National Forest Programme will be guided, among others, by the Cambodia Millennium Development Goals for poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and attainment of 60% forest cover by 2015. The National Forest Programme would serve as an appropriate mechanism and provide a transparent and participatory process for planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and coordination of all forestry activities.

Forest Policy Archive

DATETYPETITLEENGLISHNATIONAL LANGUAGE
2017-2026Strategy/PlanNational REDD+ StrategyLink
2017-2026Strategy/PlanAction & Investment Plan for the implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy of CambodiaLink
2014-2023Strategy/PlanCambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2014-2023 (CCCSP)Link
2010-2029Strategy/PlanNational Forest ProgrammeLinkLink
2020Strategy/PlanCambodia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCCLink
2020ReportGlobal Forest Assessment Report 2020 (Cambodia)Link
2018ReportCambodia Forest Cover 2018Link
2016Strategy/PlanCambodia's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)Link 
2005LawSub-Decree on Economic Land Concessions (2005)LinkLink
2003LawSub-Decree on Community Forestry Management (2003)Link
2002LawLaw on ForestryLinkLink
2000LawSub-Decree No. 05 on Forestry Concessions ManagementLinkLink
1999LawSub-Decree No.72 on the Environmental Impact Assessment ProcessLinkLink
1996LawLaw on Environmental Protection and Management of Natural ResourcesLinkLink
1993LawRoyal decree on Establishment of Natural Protected Areas (1993 )Link
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