Chi Phat Eco Tourism Site Sets an Example to Conservation and Eco-equilibrium

By Ty Theavy

At six pm sharp, the sun went down below the horizon behind the trees. Chi Phat located in Thmar Bang of Koh Kong province is a small remote village in the heart of the South Cardamoms.  Yonks ago the township on the edge of the jungle, had only a dusty string of old houses running down a red dirt road, which most structures left over since the 1990s as a site of anarchic loggers.

Shortly thereafter, the silent nature looked as though it was swept by wind. At that time, people still lived on logging and slashing and burning for farming. But they are receiving international tourists enthusiastically.

There are many visitors with bulky backpacks getting off the bus called Virak Buntham, and some have a guide book called Lonely Planet in their hands, are waiting for the community boat, or ask for the motor dup to ride to that village every day. 
“A lot of tourists have visitted Chi Phat lately. In some months there are up to 400 visitors”, said Prom Houeng a Chief Community Based Eco- Tourism of Chi Phat.

In accordance with the world is currently and actually coping with Ecological crisis, and climate changes, which Cambodia government has been caring for this issue as well.

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen said in remarks about Cambodia’s policy” Development and Conservation we do both” Virtually he cited in the conference of Total Tourist Work run by Ministry of Tourism in 2009 at Chatomouk hall over protected forest, especially over Chi Phat CBET’s ancient jar and coffin site is very critical to be conserved.

“In the forthcoming day Cambodia’s Eco Tourism Site there will be a lot of local and international tourists visiting here. In our expectation this site may have increasing visitors in level 2 following the site of Angkor Culture Tourism because they launch to be interested in Ecology Issue”, said H.E Dr. Thoung Kong at the Information Center of Chi Phat CBET when his music band performing for locals watched in 2011.

Shortly after that, Chi Phat was famous for an exciting green forest of the South Cardamoms where is rich of biodiversity, local histories, and interesting culture. Chek Smith an English tourist wrote in his blog after visited in Chi Phat” Chi Phat is good, he trekked under the green trees and stayed overnight at the campsite, and could have spotted animals such as gibbon, hornbill, barking deer, fishing cat, wild pig, elephant and monkey as well as hearing the sound from gibbon and cicada….at least I could see wildlife spoors.”

“Here we have about 15 attraction sites. Of those, 5 places are kind of waterfalls, and 3 locations are sort of long trail tours about 5 kilometers we can do trekking and mountain biking. We also have animal spotting boating and kayaking. Moreover, Chi Phat is a historical-cultural resort b, for Chi Phat has many sites ancient jars and coffin.”Prom Hoeung added.

Yan Veasna a Chi Phat CBET Business Development Officer facilitating tourist said” this project here in Chi Phat was embarked on process since late 2007 and supported by Wildlife Alliance. Currently its activity helped protection of the local natural and cultural resources and generated jobs and opportunities for local to earn money home through developing the tourism products and other services. Particularly it provides livelihood options to who lived on illegal hunting and logging and none timber product collector. Furthermore, it provide livelihood to the poor, and help improve the community’s infrastructure and public service.”