TECHO SEN RUSSEY TREB PARK OF ROYAL ACADEMY OF CAMBODIA

History of Establishing the Park
Geographical location

Techo Sen Russey Treb Park of Royal Academy of Cambodia is located in Chap2 Commune, Chep District, Preah Vihear Province. The park was handed to Royal Academy of Cambodia under the Royal Decree 0414/436 on 8th April 2014, in which has the land size 114,35 hectares (114,35 square kilometers). (See the attachment in the other file).

Its Potentials
There are variety of potentials in the park areas. Historical cultural heritage has been remained for thousands years since BC, and ethnic group, Kuoy, is still existent nowadays as they live, earn their living, and keep the tradition alive in the area around the park.

Natural heritage
Forests has played very big parts in the park as there are thick forest with huge trees gathering across the park. Some trees are more than 200 years old. Some trees are very rare which is never seen in other forests, such as Ja-ves tree which grows only one in Russey treb park.
In the meantime, there are also lots of wild animals and birds. Tigers, wild pigs, deer, rabbits … and many kinds of birds such as vultures. There is also a vulture conservative area just near Russey Treb park.

History and Cultural heritage sites (iron forge, ancient ponds, …)
Researchers has been there iron forges where iron was made 2,000 years ago. There are mounts of iron slake and forges where some projects are going to conducted. Kuoy ethnic group has been known as the richest cultural ethnic group among the others. Recently we have discovered many other ancient ponds and ancient villages in park where the remained evidence has been left.

Social and economic potentials (Ethnic group, ancient villages, non-timber forest products, paddy fields, Villagers and the community are harvesting non-timber forest products such as glues from tree, vine, and other kinds forest products. Some paddy fields are also found in the area where forests are not growing in the park.

Challenges (situational analysis)
As the park projects are moving on, there are, however, some challenges to face and the park conservators need to take urgent actions and cooperation with authority, partners, stakeholders, and other organizations to the following problems.
• Recently clear land and forests
• Land clearance on old plot from 30 families in 2016 to 88 families in 2017 on land size 250-300 ha.
• Illegal wild lives hunting
• Illegal logging
• Land abuse of economic land concession (China owned company, 800ha.

Previous activities
Since the establishment of Russey Treb park, we have done and achieved many projects as well as activities. However, some projects are still processing.
• Researched on park potentials
• Conducted project on raising awareness about natural and cultural preservation
• Park boundary demarcation (65 posts)
• Preliminary research and excavation on archaeological sites
• Preliminary research on ancient ponds
• Preserve large ancient basin for wild lives
• Established committee to solve land dispute with China owned company and villagers and now they have agreed to withdraw and we also have trees tree growing and planting project about 1 million trees.
• Repair park station for rangers
• Four projects are processing Land dispute resolution, plan nursery and tree plantation, master plan
• Initiation of a project (archaeological excavation and site museum creation) and anther sub-projects from 3 institutions (tangible and intangible Cultural heritage, cow crossbreed using sperms from Australia, and the ethnic groups in Preah Vihear province).