GlobalGiving.org: Empower Rural Communities and Help Protect Forests

CBET Shines at Ecotourism Conference

Beth Eisenstaedt — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:11:45 GMT

Wildlife Alliance attended the 3^rd World Ecotourism Conference in Sihanoukville, Cambodia at the beginning of this month. With its focus on “Charting the Future of Ecotourism in Asia,” it was a perfect opportunity to showcase our community-based ecotourism projects in Chi Phat and Trapeang Roung. The event attracted over 300 government officials, tourism ministers, ecotourism specialists, and business. Cambodia’s growing emphasis on ecotourism and Chi Phat’s current status as the #1 ecotourism destination the country, the conference served as an incredible referendum on the work we’ve been doing there.

During a session on “Local Community Challenges & Success Stories,” Wildlife Alliance CEO Suwanna Gauntlett gave a very well-received and well-attended presentation on how to develop attractive, sustainable and successful community ecotourism projects. With the opening of the Trapeang Roung site just this summer, Wildlife Alliance continues to be a standard bearer on the burgeoning ecotourism scene in Cambodia. While Suwanna presented our philosophy, project manager Harold de Martimprey and the CBET committees from both Chi Phat and Trapeang Roung prepared and manned a booth in the exhibition hall. With the support of Wildlife Alliance, they were able to present their products to an international audience and continue to spread the word to an already-increasing number of tourists. We were also able to reveal our newly redesigned ecotourism website. Check it out at www.ecoadventurecambodia.com and come visit us soon!

Links:

Community Ecotourism Launches in Trapeang Rung

Michael Zwirn — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:18:14 GMT

The morning of August 5, 2011 dawned cool and misty in Trapeang Rung commune in southwestern Cambodia. But a buzz permeated this normally sleepy village along Road 48. Representatives of government authorities, the private sector, and Wildlife Alliance gathered around the commune’s new community-based ecotourism (CBET) office to celebrate the opening of Trapeang Rung to visitors.

Trapeang Rung is located in the heart of the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor, which Lonely Planet featured as one of the top ten regions in the world 2010. The corridor is now a “must-see” locale on any Cambodia traveler’s itinerary, and The New York Times, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, and The Sydney Morning Herald all have highlighted the jungle and coastline’s natural wonders and biodiversity.

Wildlife Alliance has been working with villagers to foster and drive the growing international interest in the Cardamoms as a green tourism destination since 2007. Based on the success of community-based ecotourism in Chi Phat, we began work in Trapeang Rung in 2008 to ensure the conservation of the natural wonders in the areas, allowing the community to benefit from the protection of it. Before we began work in the commune, its residents had few options other than illegal hunting and slash-and-burn farming that was destroying the rainforest. Tourism offers them the chance to work legally as guides, chefs, and guesthouse operators - earning a sustainable living, providing for their families, and building valuable business skills while preserving the environment around them.

Today marks the day that Trapeang Rung CBET is officially “open for business” with a formal ceremony with participation from the Ministry of Tourism, the Koh Kong Provincial Governor, the Commune Chief, Wildlife Alliance, and other tour operators in the region. As Wildlife Alliance Program Manager, Lesley Perlman, said in her speech, “Today Wildlife Alliance joins with Koh Kong province in celebrating our mutual goal of promoting the beauty of this amazing province and opening its doors to national and international tourists. “

Visitors to Trapeang Rung can enjoy trekking through remote jungle, rough-and-ready mountain biking tours, visits to 500-year-old burial jar sites, swims through magnificent waterfalls, wildlife and bird watching, evening boat rides, and nighttime fishing for river lobsters. Bring your sunscreen and sun hats!

Interested in an adventure and exploring Trapeang Rung, Chi Phat, and the rest of the Cardamoms? Learn more at EcoAdventureCambodia.com!

Links:

A Chat With Cambodia's Tourism Minister About Wildlife Alliance's Ecotourism Program

Allison Bender — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:15:07 GMT

Wildlife Alliance’s Community-based Ecotourism Program (CBET) in the community of Chi Phat in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province has been a great success, with visitor numbers increasing substantially each year and major publications like the New York Times and the UK’s Guardian taking notice. Also paying attention to Chi Phat’s growth is the Cambodian Tourism Ministry who turned up recently with a delegation headed by Minister of Tourism Thong Khon.

Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon is shown a display of the Chi Phat CBET by Wildlife Alliance CEO Suwanna Gauntlett during the minister’s recent visit to Chi Phat.The minister was presided over the opening ceremony for the Chi Phat CBET in 2008 and was returning to see the progress that had been made since that time. He toured the village, spoke with guesthouse owners and local entrepreneurs, and even went out on a nighttime prawn hunt along the river. Addressing a crowd of CBET members, the Minister praised Chi Phat, calling it a model for community-based ecotourism in Cambodia.

Following his tour, the Minister was kind enough to sit down for a short interview with Wildlife Alliance communications officer John Maloy to share his thoughts on Chi Phat and the future of ecotourism in Cambodia:

Why have you decided to visit Chi Phat?

This our second time here and this visit is important for our planning concerning the World Tourism Conference. Chi Phat could be the model for our community-based ecotourism and therefore part of the presentation we will be giving at the World Tourism Conference.

What is special about Koh Kong province that makes it an attractive destination for tourists?

So like I mentioned in the meeting earlier this morning, we have ecotourism potential not only in the Southwest [of Cambodia, where Koh Kong province is located] but also in the Northeast and other areas…. Koh Kong, and especially Chi Phat, has been supported by Wildlife Alliance, who have assisted the government to develop [the province]. Also [Koh Kong] lies along the coastline of Cambodia, and our bays have just been recognized as some of the most beautiful bays in the world. Cambodia has now become a full member of the Club des Plus Belles Baies du Monde—the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club.

So Koh Kong’s bays are a most beautiful area and they directly connect to the forests of the Cardamom Mountains. That’s why Koh Kong is an important area for sustainable tourism development, just like in the Northeast. And obviously I was overjoyed and enthusiastic about the government’s decision to halt the operation of the titanium mine which could have affected Chi Phat. Our biggest concern over the ecotourism potential [of Chi Phat] is now gone. This outcome was the result of our leader Prime Minister Hun Sen who made a wise decision focusing on the effects [of the mine] on generations to come.

How important is ecotourism to the tourism development plans of your ministry?

Ecotourism is a sustainable form of tourism that can also have an impact in combating global warming. Recently it has become obvious that ecotourism is playing a vital role in poverty alleviation at the community level….

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that combines economy and ecology. So when people benefit from tourism they will continue to support these efforts and will protect and conserve our natural resources in and around their community. For instance, in Chi Phat there is no more wildlife hunting or illegal logging and former illegal hunters have new jobs. So in Cambodia ecotourism is key to sustainable development.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon speaks with a shopkeeper as he tours the village of Chi Phat, which he called a “model” for community-based ecotourism in Cambodia.The government focuses on ecotourism in two forms: small-scale and large-scale. Small-scale means ecotourism developed within a community. To be successful these communities must have the four “P’s”: (1) Public [Sector]; (2) People; (3) the Private Sector; and (4) Partnership…. Chi Phat has the four P’s so it is in a position to promote itself as a viable CBET. You can see through the development of the local businesses in Chi Phat the interrelationship between the local community, the park [i.e. the surrounding forest], and the tourists.

By large-scale we refer to developments along the beach or in potential ecotourism areas that utilize high-end technology. By high-end technology I refer to the use of methods or devices that enable environment sustainability. Tatai [in Koh Kong province] is one such key place that uses high-end technology developed in Australia and we are looking to make use of the same form in Ream [National Park in Sihanoukville] and also on Koh Sangsa island [off of Sihanoukville] which is being developed by Australian investors. So we appeal to all investors and developers [operating] at beach and ecotourism sites to utilize very good partners and designs, particularly architectural designs, in order to avoid negative environmental impacts.

Can you give some examples of the high-end technology you are talking about?

One particular investor, for example, has operated in Malaysia, using advanced designs to attract upscale tourists. The practices used in Malaysia will be applied in Cambodia…. [Here the minister showed off some artist renderings of upscale ecotourism sites now in development in Cambodia. The technology he was speaking of was primarily in terms of design, creating high-end resorts that, for example, would be build around trees rather than clearing them or that found innovative ways to incorporate natural materials and surroundings. “This is made of bamboo,” he said of the intricate elevated bungalows at one proposed resort, “and not a single tree will been cut.” The idea in all these future sites is to reduce the footprint left by the resort on the surrounding forest or coastline. “Cambodia will be a paradise,” the minister said of these high-end developments.]

But these lessons can also be applied to small-scale community projects. REDD [the UN’s carbon credits program] will become an important means for generating revenue through the protection of natural resources. Communities can incorporate green energy sources such as wind power or solar panel systems. Even the boats used for prawn fishing [in Chi Phat] could use solar systems to power their lights at night….

How important is Chi Phat to the Ministry of Tourism’s plans?

It is wonderful to see in coming here that there has been much progress since my last visit. This development is one that can be said to be proceeding in a sustainable and responsible manner. This can be attributed in part to the equitable division of revenues. When you have equitable sharing the community will participate. We already spoke with people here and they have told us they are happy to participate in ecotourism—and before there were only 160 participants but now there are over 200. It’s like the CPP [the ruling party of Cambodia, to which the minister belongs], which started out with only 60 people and now has 5 million [members]. People respond when you do things the right way, when you have the right policy. More and more people will participate in this project. It is a clean village and an excellent tourist destination….

To promote Chi Phat among Cambodians, the Ministry of Tourism has commissioned a song to be written about the natural beauty of the area. These performers accompanied the minister to Chi Phat for the filming of the song’s karaoke video, which will be distributed across the country.It is much nicer, and even more beautiful [in Chi Phat] now than when I last came. And now you also have the Sothoun Island Ecolodge which is a beautiful addition. And now that the threat of the titanium mine has been removed we hope that it will allow the ecolodge project on the river to continue [construction was halted on this project last year after the titanium mine was announced]. We know that investors were concerned about the mine, but now that the concern is gone we hope it can continue. And as I said, there has been obvious progress in lifestyle improvement in the community and it is positive to see more members of the community joining the project. The project enjoys the support of the community and obviously they love Wildlife Alliance.

[The Ministry] will continue its support and we must continue our cooperation. I love Nature. I came from a poor family and Nature helped me; now I want to help Nature.

NYTimes Travel article featuring Wildlife Alliance

Andrea Kaufmann — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:56:04 GMT

Dear friends,

I am delighted to share advance word of a major article in this weekend's New York Times Travel Section featuring Wildlife Alliance and its work: "In Cambodia, Koh Kong Emerges As Eco-Tourism Destination."

I encourage you to read this article to learn about the magnificent forests, beaches, and wildlife of Southwestern Cambodia, and about Wildlife Alliance's efforts to preserve the region - fighting threats like illegal logging, poaching, and industrial development. Our Community-Based Ecotourism program is heavily featured as one of the driving factors in Koh Kong's transformation from a backwards area known for wildlife trafficking and illegal logging, into a leading destination for sustainable development and conservation.

As the article says, "Chi Phat was once infamous for its abundant poachers, loggers and slash-and-burn farmers, who were forced to turn to illegal practices to make a living. That began to change in 2007, when the conservation group Wildlife Alliance started to work with the community on a project that would turn hunters — who knew the forest’s hidden gems better than anyone — into tour guides, and local families into guesthouse owners."

Also this week, the Sydney Morning Herald highlighted our work in a broad piece called Coast on the Cusp about Ecotourism in Cambodia.

Thank you for your support and interest in our Community-Based Ecotourism program and for your generous contributions.

Links:

NY Times article on ecotourism in Cambodia

2010 A Great Year for Community-Based Ecotourism!

Juliane Diamond — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:00:21 GMT

Dear Friends,

Chi Phat is becoming a premier ecotourism destination for travelers looking for a pristine experience in Cambodia. Recently Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) in the Cardamoms has been featured in Lonely Planet, UK Metro magazine, Wall Street Journal, Swiss La Temps newspaper, Fah Thai on board magazine, EPA European Photo Agency and other publications.

Thanks to your support 2010 has been an impressive year for Wildlife Alliance’s Community-Based Ecotourism commune in Chi Phat. Chi Phat itself has seen a 54% increase in visitation, and a 65% increase in income generation. Also 92% of visitors rated their time in Chi Phat as “Excellent” or “Good”, 85% felt that the tours were a good value and 86% would recommend the site to a friend.

Chi Phat’s success is what will allow communities to thrive, ecosystems and forests to be preserved, and wildlife to be protected. Thanks to the growing ecotourism industry, villages and local communities are benefitting from conserving their natural heritage.

We thank you for understanding the importance of this endeavor and we encourage you to visit Chi Phat if you are traveling in Cambodia or Southeast Asia. Chi Phat offers opportunities to mountain bike, bird watch, trek to cultural heritage sites and eat homemade Cambodian food. Learn how to get to Chi Phat by checking out our website. We look forward to seeing you there and thank you for your support.

We will make sure to keep you up to date on the developments with our Community-Based Ecotourism project. In the meantime though please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and keep an eye on our blog for timely information regarding this and other projects.

Thank you again for your much needed support. We at Wildlife Alliance wish you the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year.

Sincerely,

Juliane Diamond

"Thank You" from Van Sophon

Hannah Marqusee — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:53:13 GMT

Van Sophon once earned a living illegally poaching and logging, but began working with Wildlife Alliance's Community Based Ecotourism project in Chi Phat almost four years ago. He was recently promoted to be a deputy of community. In his own words:

"My name is Van Sophon. I have worked as a deputy accountant for almost four years and recently I have been promoted to be a deputy chief of community. My past life before working with CBET, I was a poacher. I went poaching, cut down the trees, and collected the non-timber forest product to support my family for a living.

After I was told by the village chief about the CBET project, as I was interested to get involved I applied and started working with CBET as a member of the first CBET working group and since then I have been working with CBET, I have stopped hunting and logging. I have learned a lot from the project, such as English, computer, financial management, and general knowledge related to tourism. Moreover, I am provided many trainings and I am also awarded the certificate of achievement from accounting management training and a certificate of appreciation from NGO that funded this project. I have many great opportunities to attend the meetings and seminars in Phnom Penh. All of these make me very excited and happy. Today I have a better livelihood and I am able to work with Khmer and international tourists in the tourism field. I would like to express my profound thank to Wildlife Alliance that is supporting our community with financial, materials, and training.

I wish that we, the community of Chi Phat together with WILDLIFE ALLIANCE and other partners will accomplish the CBET goals."

CBET in FahThai Magazine!

Nadia Miller — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:33:00 GMT

Hello!

Thanks again for everyone's support on the recent Global Giving Matching Day!

Attached is the latest coverage of Wildlife Alliance's Community-based eco-tourism project in Chi Phat, enjoy!

Cheers, Nadia Miller

Attachments:

CBET Coverage in Thai Magazine (PDF)

Coverage of Chi Pat in Spanish

Nadia Miller — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:06:19 GMT

Hello!

Below is an article, written in Spanish, about Wildlife Alliance's Ecoutourism project in Chi Pat. It also mentions our hard working rangers who patrol the forest, protecting the trees and animals from poachers.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Wildlife Alliance ________________________________________________________________________________________

La raquítica aldea de Chi Pat, reducto de selva virgen, tigres y elefantes

Por Agencia EFE – 20/04/2010

Chi Pat (Camboya), 20 abr (EFE).- La raquítica aldea de Chi Pat, en el corazón de las montañas Cardamon, es uno de los últimos reductos de selva virgen en Camboya y hábitat de animales en peligro de extinción como el tigre, el elefante y el oso asiático.

El ecoturismo apareció un día en esa población que se ilumina aún con generadores como una salida con futuro para los habitantes y su hermoso entorno de ríos, cascadas y bosques. "Todos los habitantes eran leñadores y cazadores. No tenían otra forma de vida. Ahora toda la comunidad está implicada en el proyecto", explica Yan Veasna, monitor de Wildlife Alliance, organización no gubernamental que puso en marcha el programa en 2008.

Caminatas por la selva, excursiones en bicicleta de montaña, navegación por el río, aves de todos los colores son algunas de las actividades que ofrece el proyecto gestionado totalmente por los vecinos con la ayuda de Wildlife Alliance.

Phrom Hang llegó a la aldea directamente de los campos de arroz del Jemer Rojo en 1979 y vivió de la caza furtiva hasta que surgió esta iniciativa. "Cazaba ciervos, pangolines. También capturé dos tigres. Lo vendía a un comerciante que se lo llevaba a Phnom Penh", explica Hang, quien ahora desempeña el cargo de director del proyecto dedicado a proteger la fauna y perseguir a sus antiguos colegas. "Durante los noventa, la caza era masiva. Con un kilo de pangolín se ganaba cincuenta dólares y esto atrajo a mucha gente", apunta Veasna. La medicina tradicional china atribuye a la carne, huesos, órganos y pieles de estos animales propiedades especiales que sustentan el contrabando, del que Hang se lucraba generosamente pero que no echa en falta. "Pasaba varios días en la selva. Era muy duro. Ahora gano suficiente dinero, aprendo cosas y puedo estar siempre con mi familia", dice el ex cazador, elegido para el cargo por todos su vecinos. La comunidad se beneficia de la llegada de turistas ofreciendo alojamiento, transporte, haciendo de guías o guardas forestales; en total son 550 las familias que viven del ecoturismo en la actualidad. "La clave del proyecto fue darles trabajo, mostrarles que había otra manera de ganarse la vida", manifiesta Veasna. En Chi Pat, el atractivo para el visitante radica en un paisaje virgen que esconde cascadas o rarezas arqueológicas como un conjunto de urnas y cofres funerarios metidos en una brecha pétrea que no fue descubierto hasta 1984. Si bien el proyecto consiguió dotar a esta empobrecida comunidad de una fuente de recursos, la vocación proteccionista ha tenido un éxito relativo.

"Sigue viniendo gente de fuera a cazar. Monos, sobretodo. Tenemos un equipo de rangers que patrulla a diario pero sólo con un teléfono móvil les es muy fácil darnos esquinazo", dice Veasna.

Aun así, el ejemplo de la aldea Chi Pat empieza a extenderse por el país.

En el otro extremo de Camboya se encuentra Koh Pdau, una isla del río Mekong habitada por pescadores a quienes las autoridades les han prohibido la pesca a fin de proteger el delfín irrawaddy, el único de agua dulce del mundo y del que quedan apenas 71 ejemplares.

Tras la veda, los lugareños buscaron una salida en el ecoturismo y ahora buscan al cetáceo no para matarlo, sino para que entretenga a los visitantes.

"No sólo dan alojamiento y ofrecen paseos en barca. Se les ha ayudado a desarrollar agricultura y piscifactorías, o a producir manualidades que venden a los turistas", dice Som Mao, técnico del equipo de Desarrollo Rural del gobierno camboyano.

Links:

Spanish article on Chi Pat

Wildlife Alliance's Community Project in the News!

Ahti Westphal — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:14:28 GMT

Originally Published by The Phnom Penh Post

A new breed of socially conscious architecture is springing up all over the developing world. Since ancient times, architects have primarily worked in service of the wealthy and powerful, designing and inventing methods of building everything from Angkor Wat in Siem Reap to the skyscrapers of Hong Kong. In the past decade a handful of architects working across the globe have emerged from the shadows, setting aside the mantle of high design to focus on the fundamental issues of poverty alleviation, community empowerment and sustainability.

In 2001, Hollmen Reuter Sandman Architects established an NGO based in Finland called Ukumbi. Ukumbi set to work in Rufisque, Senegal, designing and building an internationally acclaimed centre for women. One tenet of Ukumbi’s design philosophy is that “architecture grows most naturally from familiarity with local culture and an understanding of local spatial thinking”. Hollmen Reuter Sandman are not alone in identifying the important role culture plays in sustainable design. Other notable architects and champions of this new approach are Francis Kere of Burkina Faso, and Anna Heringer, an architect working in Bangladesh.

Both Kere and Heringer are recipients of the prestigious Aga Khan award, which was set up to applaud outstanding sustainable design in the Muslim world. A common thread between these architects, and the growing number of others inspired by them, is their effort to involve the community from the very beginning and to truly understand the subtleties of different cultures’ dwelling practices.

In a world where big development often subdues seemingly small local issues, the new social architecture works from the outset to build a platform for intensive community participation. Communities are involved in every step of the process, learning from and teaching the architects how to best meet their needs. Often communities are involved in the actual construction process, simultaneously strengthening and sometimes reviving their own traditional building techniques for future generations. This give and take method of working between community, culture, design and invention clears a space for new solutions to be discovered and put into action against poverty.

In a time when a significant percentage of all global emissions are generated by the construction industry, the philosophy of a new social architect tirelessly seeks out local sustainable building materials such as earth, stone, bamboo and geographically specific plants that can be harvested for thatching roofs and reinforcing walls. When modern industrial materials such as concrete and steel must be used, they are balanced by recycling local waste to fantastic effect. For Ukumbi a grid of old car wheels placed within a wall become an elegant ventilation solution; old glass soda bottles become pixilated points of colour, ushering light into a building and eliminating the need for expensive and imported glass windows.

TYIN Tegnestue, a non-profit design group based in Norway, has ingeniously recycled old truck tyres into urinals and toilets for a bathhouse located in a Karen orphanage along the Thai-Burmese border. A recently completed project in the Cambodian village of Chi Phat in Koh Kong Province now has its own social architecture project to show the world. The community based ecotourism office, otherwise known as CBET, is a joint venture between Wildlife Alliance and the community of Chi Phat. This recently completed 500-square-metre building is one of the first examples of a bamboo structure in Cambodia that elevates the material to its full capacity. The raw material was harvested directly from the village and over a two year time span community members soaked the bamboo in water with minerals to increase its durability. A combination of design expertise from SM Architects Cambodia, construction methodology and demonstrations from bamboo expert Jorg Stamm, and the hard work and local knowledge of the Chi Phat community, CBET was able to create a truly sustainable structure to support a growing interest in ecotourism in the area.

As Cambodia continues to rapidly develop, I hope to see more architects creating socially responsible and sustainable projects in the Kingdom. Surely by directing our attention to this beautiful culture and the needs of the people, we can all contribute to this noble endeavour, if only by spreading the word.

Links:

Widlife Alliance in the News

Wildlife Alliance's Ecotourism Project in the News!

Graeme Green — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:07:56 GMT

Our eco-tourism project in Chi Phat was written up in the UK's Metro! Below is a sneak peak at the article, click on the link to read it in its entirety.

"If you like plush hotels, then the jungle village of Chi Phat in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains isn’t for you. During my time here, I’m caked in mud, snacked on by mosquitoes and regularly watching leeches fall from my body, bloated on my blood. But for the committed traveller keen to genuinely get off the beaten track, this is an authentic slice of rural Cambodian life. The people in the village are welcoming and curious, the trekking through pristine jungle and meadows is a world away from mundane realities, and the big draw, which I’m here to test out, is a 57km mountain-biking trail that takes in an ancient burial jar site."

Links:

Link to Article in Metro

Chi Pat site visit

Bill Brower — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:02:41 GMT

On a half-day trek through the forest

Bill Brower is a Field Program Officer with GlobalGiving who is visiting our projects throughout Southeast Asia. From January 30-February 1 he visited the Wildlife Alliance community-based ecotourism project in Chi Pat.

Destruction of natural habitat and illegal hunting are the two biggest threats to wildlife in most forested areas in the tropics. The area where Wildlife Alliance (WA) works in southwestern Cambodia, part of the second largest contiguous forest in Southeast Asia, is no different. In addition to pushing for the expansion of protected areas and ensuring the integrity of areas that are protected, WA and many other organizations have learned over the years that conservation efforts will not ultimately be sustainable unless the communities in and near the forests have economic alternatives to hunting, logging and slash-and-burn agriculture.

This has led WA to develop a community-based ecotourism (CBET) project in the fairly remote village of Chi Pat. If it is easier and more lucrative to make a livelihood, directly or indirectly, in support of the tourism industry, this reduces local drivers of habitat destruction.

To make the ecotourism program itself sustainable, it should be able to operate entirely on local capacity and related income. WA is firmly committed to this goal, with the question “How will this work when we’re not here?” often repeated. This attitude is perhaps the best part of WA’s approach. Though it appears they are still a ways off, they have progress. They claim to need 80 visitors a month to balance out expenses; in 2009, they were just a bit short at 829 visitors for the year. There is also a local council, with representatives voted on by the community, in charge of sub-groups that focuses on about eight key areas—from tour guides and cooks to sanitation. While all appear dedicated to their jobs, it seemed in my discussion with them that they are still a few years away from this group being able to effectively and independently run all the necessary components of the operation to keep it running for decades to come.

But with WA trainings and experience, it seems it will come, as will the tourists. This spot, featured in many young travelers’ gospel, Lonely Planet, has a lot to offer. Mountain biking, kayaking, multiday nature treks, historical relics, a great restaurant run by the ecotourism group and comfortable guesthouses. If you’re ever in the area, you should stop by. And if you like the comprehensive approach Wildlife Alliance is taking to conservation, consider continuing to support their project. Thanks!

Delicious dinner at CBET

Villagers gather seeds for reforestation

The villagers of Chi Phat now have their own Visitor’s Center!

Oran Shapira — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:26:46 GMT

Visitor's Center Entrance

On January 8, 2010, Royal Cambodian Government officials, provincial and district governors, commune chiefs, village chiefs, villagers from Chi Phat, and Wildlife Alliance staff celebrated the official opening of the new Chi Phat Visitors' Center.

The Center is built out of eco-friendly bamboo that was collected in the village area. It is the first engineered bamboo structure in Cambodia. The structure includes a courtyard, an exhibition area with a rainforest & wildlife conservation display and more information about the Community Based Ecotourism Project (CBET), a restaurant, a management office, and a meeting and training room. These new amenities provide guests with more comfort and provide the Chi Phat committee with a central place to hold meetings and workshops.

Our Community Based Ecotourism Project (CBET) has come a long way since it began in 2007. It operates out of the Chi Phat Commune -- a group of four villages that is home to about 550 families and sits on the banks of the Piphot River in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains. Last year Chi Phat had over 670 paying guests; with revenue going back into the community to support the villagers who provide guest service. Revenues additionally support the Chi Phat Community fund which helps to improve the villages’ education, water supply, roads, and access to health care and so on.

Over the past 2 years, the villagers of Chi Phat have been busily developing trails and camping sites, constructing the Visitors’ Center, and converting their homes into guesthouses. They also have been learning how to maintain mountain bikes, speak basic English, honing their hospitality skills, as well as taking cooking classes, just to name a few!

Opening Ceremony

Public outreach at the Visitor's Center

Links:

Chi Phat feature article in the Wall Street Journal Asia