Cambodia, India Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Biodiversity Conservation and Big Tiger Conservation Strategy
Phnom Penh: Cambodia and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Wildlife Management and Strategies for the Restoration of Big Tigers and their Habitats in Cambodia.
The signing ceremony of this Memorandum of Understanding between His Excellency Say Sam Al, Minister of Environment and Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change of India, represented by the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia, was held this morning, November 12, 2022. His Excellency Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister and His Excellency Jagdeep Dhankha, Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankha in Phnom Penh.
In terms of peace and political stability, economic growth, socio-economic and cultural changes of the Cambodian people, Cambodia has the opportunity to bring back rare species on Cambodian territory, especially the big tiger.
It should be noted that Cambodia participated in the International Forum in 2010 on the conservation and doubling of the number of big tigers in the wild by 2022 and has prepared its action plan on big tigers [2015-2024]. The Royal Government of Cambodia supports the Big Tiger Rehabilitation Program, and political support for this program has made Cambodia the first country in ASEAN to bring big tigers back into the wild.
Countries around the world with large tigers, especially India, which has the largest number of big tigers, have supported Cambodia in implementing the Big Tiger Rehabilitation Program. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environment of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change of the Republic of India on Cooperation in Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Wildlife Management and Tiger Conservation Strategies and its Implementation Steps First in the Cardamom Mountains and then in the Keo Seima Conservation Area.
The signing ceremony of this Memorandum of Understanding is a new page in the history of enhancing relations and friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and India, especially between the Ministry of Environment of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change of the Republic of India in Environment and natural resource conservation.
The MoU will benefit both countries on issues including:
1 / Promote biodiversity conservation by focusing on the conservation and restoration of large tigers in Cambodia, especially in key landscape areas, including the Cardamom Mountains and the eastern plateau, to prevent extinction from Cambodia.
2 / Provide big tiger breeds from India and promote cooperation to protect big tigers to live in the natural forest successfully. Share and exchange skills and abilities to promote tiger conservation in both countries.
3 / Promote wildlife conservation by sharing good experiences of implementing technology, livelihoods for communities living in wildlife sanctuaries and sustainable biodiversity management. The two countries will support progress in this framework of cooperation and respect each other’s views.