National Community Forestry Programme, Strategic Paper.

This National Community Forestry Programme (NCFP), Strategic Paper is a sectoral policy document. The main objectives in developing the NCFP are: 1. To identify and agree on medium and long term community forest management objectives at the national and local level; and 2. To formulate a sequence of implementation plans for each FA administrative region at the Cantonment level to maximize Cambodia's potential for establishing formally recognized Community Forestry (CF).
A “people-oriented” forest sector is essential if equitable economic development is to take place in a way that supports the livelihood needs of the rural poor and national policies related to poverty reduction. Because of this, community-based forest livelihood programs have become a national investment priority for Cambodia. The NCFP seeks to formally integrate and engage rural Cambodians in the management of state public forest land through implementation of the Community Forestry Sub-Decree (CFSD) and related rules and regulations. The NCFP seeks to provide a legally endorsed, symbolic “house” under whose roof rural communities can utilize and sustainably manage forests to meet their domestic and livelihood needs. The NCFP has two phase of implementation. In Phase I (2006-08), with support from donors and NGOs partners, the FA will formally recognize CFMCs through the 8 step process outlined in the Community Forestry Sub-Decree. The priority is given to the recognition of existing Community Forestry Management Committees (CFMCs) with a target of 200 Community Forestry Agreements signed between 2006 and 2008, covering some parts of Permanent Forest Reserve.