Communities at the Core of Protected Area Management: Learning from customary tenure documentation experiences in Cambodia

This case study presents the lessons from three experiences of customary tenure documentation in protected areas in the Cambodian provinces of Preah Vihear, Mondul Kiri, and Ratanak Kiri. It is based on the work of the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Highlanders Association. The study examines how effective the documentation can be as a tool to improve tenure and natural resource rights, protected area management and conservation practices in protected areas. In particular, it can help to ensure adherence to inclusivity and to the principles of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). The brief also provides key insights into the importance of recognising the practices and tenure rights of forest dependent communities inside protected areas for both community well-being and conservation efforts.