PHALLA MEY 

Mey has been in his role at the WWF for over three years, and leads on programme implementation of conservation projects in the Eastern Plain Landscape.

About 

WWF have worked in Pu Ngaol for over 20 years, supporting Sre Pok and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuaries. Sre Pok in particular is a biodiversity hotspot, recognised by Conservation International. A community protected area was established around these conservation areas, so it’s important to support the community in their livelihoods and traditional practices. 

WWF delivers the Non-Timber Forest Products programme - supporting the sustainable management of products such as resin and honey, and the Alternative Livelihoods programme - building up capacity to grow rice and rear livestock. These initiatives provide income opportunities and alternatives for many people who may feel forced into activities such as illegal logging and hunting.

WWF also works on more indirect conservation projects, such as with smallholder rubber farmers in Cambodia to improve the yield and maintain the health of their existing trees, as they see this leading to less land clearing and improved biodiversity. Mey highlights that they have created a multi stakeholder platform to bring communities together to share knowledge and support each other. 

Recently WWF has started incorporating more technology in its activities, including drones to monitor deforestation on large scales and deploy local rangers, and have an Energy team that supports communities within the Eastern Plain Landscape.

Issues and Ideas

• Mey highlights that working with communities can be complex, and requires deep understanding on a case-by-case basis. Priorities may vary,from rice production to wild honey farming. What ideas can you come up with that includes effective engagement from all stakeholders (the community, government institutions, private sector, etc) to identify and help mobilise opportunities in the community?

• Mey emphasises that it’s important to respect a community’s way of life and connections to the land, seeing that it is a key part of conservation. If the forests are destroyed, then the knock-on effects would be huge, most directly for Indigenous communities and for the health of the Mekong River which is relied on by many more communities. What ideas can you come up with to support conservation efforts that protect and respect the culturally important areas for Indigenous communities?

• Mey shares his experience in running a Savings and Loans Association that supports community representatives to disseminate key information and act with the community, rather than imposing solutions on the community. What ideas can you come up with to support building capacity within the community to make decisions and share knowledge and information?

Find out more from Phalla Mey in their video interview, available here.