AKP Phnom Penh, February 20, 2025 --

Cambodia's Minister of Environment supports an initiative by an international consortium of vulture conservation organisations to promote the livelihoods of local communities engaging in saving the birds. 

H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth expressed his support when receiving Dr. Jemima Parry-Jones, chair of the consortium called Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE), on Feb. 18 at the ministry.

He said that the Green Leisure Goal initiative has trained community members on alternative livelihoods so as to switch them from hunting to protecting and conserving animal nests, thereby increasing the number of vultures. 

It engages the local community in conserving vultures for their own benefit, which is a sustainable approach, he added. The initiative is in line with the ministry's Chakra Strategy, which promotes clean, green, and sustainable practices.

The Cambodian Vulture Census in 2022 showed that there are 134 vultures (71 white-rumped vultures, 44 slender-billed vultures, and 19 red-headed vultures) living in Cambodia, an increase from 121 in 2021. 

By Phal Sophanith