Under the hot sun of Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province, the sound of fishing boats filled the air along the coast. For generations, the mangroves have protected villages from storms and provided food sources like crabs and fish. However, things are changing. Saltwater flooded rice fields, storms grew stronger, and communities increasingly relied on natural infrastructure like mangroves while seeking to diversify their livelihoods.

The active engagement of communities and local authorities in mangrove plantation initiatives and livelihood diversification programs is essential to strengthen community resilience and enhance socioeconomic sustainability in Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province.

Through a recent household survey and consultations with fishery communities, the Polder User Community, local authorities, and residents, the project’s technical experts assessed priority intervention areas. These areas were identified and mapped via mangrove degradation hotspot analysis, which included identifying the main socioeconomic drivers behind mangrove degradation. The assessment also explored stakeholder perceptions, communication efficacy, livelihood diversification opportunities, and gender dynamics to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Livelihood diversification is an effective strategy to increase household income and alleviate poverty while promoting environmental conservation. In coastal regions such as Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia, aquaculture, livestock breeding, and off-farm activities are among the most common livelihood strategies adopted by households. For instance, in the Bek Krong Fishery Community, established in 2005, residents have achieved stable incomes through sustainable natural resource management and diversified livelihoods. According to Mr. Phoeurn Song, the community’s leader, the population currently stands at 1,037 residents, 576 of whom are women. He emphasized that the community’s prosperity stems not only from abundant natural resources—such as mangroves, fish, crabs, blood clams and squid—but also from livelihood diversification efforts, including farming, aquaculture, livestock breeding, and honey harvesting. Crucially, community members do not rely solely on natural resources, thereby reducing pressure on ecosystems while enhancing resilience.

About the project

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) of Cambodia, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are currently implementing a project entitled "Building Resilience of Cambodian Communities Using Natural Infrastructure and Promoting Diversified Livelihoods" in Prey Nob district, Preach Sihanouk province. The project will analyze gendered response options for vulnerability reduction and increased resilience and suggest ways to enhance coordination and alignment with national and regional initiatives for coastal resilience and ecosystem preservation and mainstreaming of the natural infrastructure approaches. In addition, the project will aim to using these approaches to increase the social, economic, and ecosystem resilience of target communities, with a special focus on healthy mangrove ecosystems as a fundamental element of resilience of people and ecosystems.

For more information, please contact Seyla Sok (seylasok@gmail.com) and Channimol Ky (kychannimol@gmail.com) or visit the dedicated page on iwlearn.net.

About the Ministry of Environment

The Ministry of Environment, Cambodia (MoE) was established in 1993 and was assigned by the Royal Government to lead and manage the environmental sector of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

To know more about MoE: Facebook Page | https://www.moe.gov.kh/en

Words by Mrs. KY Channimol. Photo Cover by Mr. Sok Chanireak.