Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary
The Prey Lang Forest (/preɪ ˈlɑːŋ/; Khmer: ព្រៃឡង់, Prey Láng pronounced [prɨj lɑŋ]) is a forest in Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kratie and Stung Treng Provinces in Northern Cambodia.[1] The forest covers an estimated 3,600 square kilometres (1,390 square miles). It is one of Southeast Asia's last remaining lowland evergreen woodlands.[2] It is the largest remaining lowland evergreen forest on the Indochinese peninsula and approximately 200,000 members of ethnic minorities live in or around the Prey Lang.[3][4]
Protected area
Part of the Prey Lang Forest is covered by Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary, first created in 2016.[5]
Indigenous communities
Prey Lang plays a central role in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Cambodia. Around 200,000 people, mostly members of the indigenous Kuy people, live in districts surrounding Prey Lang, a name which means "Our Forest" in the Kuy language. Prey Lang is an intricate part of their culture and spiritual life and they have depended upon it for generations, collecting resin, building materials, medicine, and food from the forest. Another 700,000 people live within 10 kilometers from Prey Lang, for whom the forest is essential as well.
Deforestation
Prey Lang is under threat from a variety of sources which have put short-sighted economic interests ahead of a nation's long-term well-being. Agribusiness plantations and mining operations are cutting away at the forest, including sensitive core areas. Illegal logging for timber, including luxury wood, is rampant, depriving communities of the resin trees they depend on. It is estimated that up to 250,000 resin trees have been lost to chainsaws. Illegal mining for precious metals and iron ore has also been on the increase, displacing artisanal, environmentally friendly operations. Toxic chemicals are being dumped into Prey Lang waterways, upsetting the area's delicate ecological balance and endangering downstream communities. In addition, new roads are cutting into important and sensitive areas of the forest, and making it easier for unscrupulous actors to illegally clear forest, transport timber, and engage in poaching.[6][7][8][9][10]
Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary
References
- ^ "'Avatars' Fight to Save Forest".
- ^ "Fighting to save Cambodia's Prey Lang forest | DW | 21.03.2013".
- ^ "Fighting to save Cambodia's Prey Lang forest | DW | 21.03.2013".
- ^ "Prey Lang: A Forest on the Brink of Destruction (PHOTOS)". HuffPost. 20 May 2012.
- ^ "Sub-Decree No. 74 on establishment of Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary - OD Mekong Datahub". data.opendevelopmentcambodia.net. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ Forest crime 'rife' at Prey Lang
- ^ Report outlines Prey Lang loggers
- ^ Mineral exploration permits offered for protected Prey Lang
- ^ Illegal logging still rampant in four provinces: PLCN
- ^ Illegal logging persists in Cambodia's Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary: Report
External links
- v
- t
- e
- Botum Sakor National Park
- Central Cardamom Mountains National Park
- Hun Sen Russei Trep National Park
- Kep National Park
- Kirirom National Park
- Koh Rong Marine National Park
- O'Yadav National Park
- Phnom Kulen National Park
- Preah Monivong National Park
- Ream National Park
- Southern Cardamom National Park
- Vensai Siempang National Park
- Virachey National Park
- Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuary
- Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phnom Nam Lyr Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phnom Sankos Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phnom Thnout-Phnom Pok Wildlife Sanctuary
- Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary
- Prek Prasab Wildlife Sanctuary
- Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sambor Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sanka Rokhavan Wildlife Sanctuary
- Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary
- Stung Sen Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary
- An Long Pring
- Ang Trapeng Thmor
- Angkor
- Banteay Chhmar
- Boeng Lomkod
- Boeng Prektub
- Boeung Prek Lpov
- North Tonle Sap
- Phnom Krang Dey Meas
- Prasat Bakan (Kampong Svay)
- Preah Vihear
- Roneam Daun Sam
- Sambor Prey Kok Temple
- Yak Oum-Yakara
- Boeng Chhmar Multiple Use Area
- Boeng Yeak Laom Multiple Use Area
- Dong Peng Multiple Use Area
- Kbal Chay Multiple Use Area
- Phnom Neang Kong Rey Multiple Use Area
- Prek Toal Multiple Use Area
- Punchearkrek Multiple Use Area
- Samlaut Multiple Use Area
- Sorsor Sdam Sat Tor Multiple Use Area
- Stung Sen Multiple Use Area
- Tonle Sap Multiple Use Area
- Phnom Tbeng Natural Heritage Park
- Phnom Yat Natural Heritage Park
- Boeng Tonle Chhmar
- Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve
- Stung Treng Ramsar
- Koh Kae Protected Resort