New wildlife sanctuary created around Buddhist Monastic Community Forest

The Cambodian government created a new wildlife sanctuary in Oddar Meanchey province. It includes the Buddhist Sang Rukhavoan community forest, led by Venerable Bun Saluth along with other forest communities.

The April 4 2018 sub-decree by the Ministry of the Environment in Phnomh Penh mapped the 30,254 hectare Sang Rukhavoan Wildlife Sanctuary, encompassing the Sang Rukhavorn and Rattanak Rokha community forests, as well as area flooded by the Stung Treng II hydroelectric dam.

The intention of this new protected area is to contribute to the reduction of climate change and natural disasters, to be a place of sanctuary for animals, to preserve natural resources and biodiversity and also to be a place for Cambodian people to learn about, experience, and actively protect the environment. The government who was closely cooperating with monastic and local authorities, has assigned rangers to patrol the natural sanctuary.

More information Alliance of Religions and Conservation