PHNOM PENH, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Zero-Snaring Campaign phase-2 in protected areas has come to an end with fruitful outcomes, a senior official said Friday.
Ministry of Environment's Secretary of State Neth Pheaktra said that the Zero-Snaring Campaign phase-2 launched in March relates to various targeted provinces in Cambodia including Pursat, Kampong Speu, Koh Kong, Siem Reap, Pailin and Battambang.
"It has been a very fruitful campaign to safeguard our wildlife and biodiversity," he told Xinhua. "Although the Zero-Snaring Campaign phase-2 ends, we still continue to urge wild meat lovers to stop consumption, traders to stop trading, and snare setters to stop setting up snares in our protected areas."
Pheaktra said Cambodia is heading toward zero-snaring in protected areas, sustainable development and economic prosperity.
"I urge all people to be the ambassadors for wildlife by saying no to bushmeat and all kinds of wildlife part products and spreading knowledge about the importance of wildlife conservation to their friends, family, and communities," he said.
Seng Teak, WWF-Cambodia country director, said that although the campaign is over, a mission to create a haven for wildlife has not yet been completed in the Southeast Asian country.
"The Ministry of Environment and all partners will continue to work side by side to monitor wildlife market in supporting the stop of poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking in Cambodia," he said in a press statement.
"To ensure zero snares in forests and in protected areas, we need to design and implement large-scale alternative livelihood programs which can offer reliable local economies; by doing so, people will stay away from the dependency of forest and wildlife products," he added.
The Zero-Snaring Campaign phase-1 from March to September 2022 toured the six provinces of Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Kampong Thom and Ratanakiri. ■