In October 2013 the Mondulkiri Project started to rent a large area of forest near Sen Monorom from local indigenous owners to prevent logging and to create an elephant and wildlife sanctuary.
In 2014 rubber companies approached these same indigenous owners because they wanted to start clearing the forest for rubber plantations.
Fortunately the Mondulkiri Project had already ensured that this forest area had been protected from logging for the next 30 years.
“Rubber is the most rapidly expanding tree crop within mainland Southeast Asia. Forests are being cleared for rubber plantations, putting endangered birds, bats and primates at risk, say UK researchers.”
