Speaking on the occasion of the World Elephant Day, which was held under the theme: “Together we protect and conserve elephants to survive” on August 12, HE Net Pheaktra, Secretary of State and spokesman for the Ministry of Environment. Asian elephants are under serious threat across their habitats, both globally and in Cambodia, as poaching, trapping, human-elephant conflict and domestic breeding are all necessary. We must work together to protect and conserve elephants.

He stressed that although the conservation situation of the protected area has improved in providing shelter, water sources and food for the elephants to live, some threats remain, especially the encroachment on illegal state forest land by groups. Corruption that affects elephant habitats and where elephants used to live and find food and water sources. In addition, wild elephants were found to be threatened by trapping and adoption, while habitat degradation has disrupted Asian elephants and negatively impacted long-term stability.

According to a report by the Ministry of Environment, there are between 400 and 600 Asian elephants in Cambodia, most of which live in the Cardamom Mountains, the northern plateau of the Tonle Sap and the eastern highlands of Mondulkiri and Ratanakkiri provinces. It is rich in biodiversity, ecosystems and has a favorable slope for the survival of elephants and other wildlife. The number of domestic elephants is estimated at more than 70.

The Asian elephant is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Redemption, which calls for a halt to all activities endangered.

The Ministry of Environment, in partnership with partner organizations, is working to develop an action plan for the conservation of Asian elephants. In 2005, the Cambodian Wild Elephant Conservation Group (CECG) was established to conserve Asian elephants in Cambodia by stabilizing and promoting the growth of a number of species. Elephants in the forests of Cambodia, and the Action Plan for the Conservation of Asian Elephants for 10 years, from 2020 to 2029, identified six priority issues, including: Reduce habitat loss, conserve and reconnect corridors and herds of wild elephants, strengthen law enforcement, prevent wild elephants from being bred, alleviate conflicts between wild elephants and humans, and educate and promote set out strategic actions to address those issues.

According to estimates, the 10-year action plan for the conservation of Asian wild elephants requires $ 40.5 million, which is expected to come from a combination of government, NGO and non-government budgets and Development partners.

According to khmertimeskh.com