USAID Keo Seima Conservation Project (former: Eastern Plains Landscape)

General

(Cambodia): Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS) is a biologically and culturally rich protected area on a deforestation frontier, and a habitat of globally significant populations of endangered primates and elephants. KSWS is also the traditional home of the Bunong indigenous group. In the past ten years, KSWS's rich and diverse forests have experienced rapid population growth facilitated by road improvement and incentivized by the spread of agro-industrial concessions which strains natural resources. The activity will improve the transparency and effectiveness of law enforcement to protect forests and biodiversity using Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool technology; monitor wildlife populations and forest cover to ensure evidence-based management decisions; increase economic opportunities for indigenous and marginalized people by increasing market linkages, and equitable benefit sharing from sustainable financing such as carbon stock sales; empower indigenous communities and marginalized people to gain secure land tenure and rights to forest resources; and, create a communications strategy to influence decision-making for sustainable use and management of natural resources. The activity supports Administration priorities to align with U.S. National Security objectives by increasing the transparency and effectiveness of law enforcement to combat wildlife trafficking, poaching and illegal timber exports. Further, the activity contributes to Mission Objective 4.2 (CDCS DO3) - Strengthen sustainable and resilient pathways out of poverty. The activity was awarded through a sole source mechanism to an implementing partner with unique qualifications to carry out the work, in accordance with federal procurement regulations. ....