What conservation challenges persist despite increased protections?

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Persistent Conservation Challenges in the Cardamom Mountains

Despite enhanced protective measures, the Cardamom Mountains continue to face significant conservation challenges, primarily driven by infrastructure development and ongoing, albeit reduced, instances of poaching and encroachment. The region has experienced substantial tree cover loss in recent years, underscoring the persistent threats to its biodiversity.
Deforestation Driven by Infrastructure Projects

Government-backed infrastructure projects, including the construction of dams, are identified as a major driver of deforestation in the Cardamom Mountains. These developments contribute to the loss of vital forest cover, with the Central Cardamom protected region alone losing nearly 7,000 hectares of tree cover in the last five years, according to Global Forest Watch data. Conservationists acknowledge that the impact of these projects is often beyond their direct control, highlighting a significant hurdle in conservation efforts.
Ongoing Threats of Poaching and Encroachment

While bolstered protections have helped slow down poaching and small-scale encroachments, these activities continue to pose a threat to the region's wildlife. Although experts suggest that poaching has waned, evidence of its past presence, such as old snares found during recent patrols, indicates its historical impact. Similarly, while patrols have reduced minor land incursions, the persistence of these issues contributes to the overall pressure on the ecosystem.
Broader Conservation Challenges

The Cardamom Mountains, considered one of the most important remaining rainforests in the region, harbour a rich diversity of species, including vulnerable and endangered ones like gibbons, pangolins, and elephants. However, the challenges extend beyond direct habitat destruction. Protecting these species requires continuous monitoring, understanding population dynamics, and adapting conservation strategies, such as the use of bioacoustic monitors and artificial intelligence to track elusive wildlife like gibbons. The sheer scale of the region and the ecological complexity present ongoing difficulties for comprehensive conservation management.

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What conservation challenges persist despite increased protections?

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