Medicinal in CAMBODIA Medicinal plants are an important commodity in Cambodia, ISSC-MAP Implementation Project both for international trade (mainly to China and Viet Nam) and for local / regional consumption and primary health Region care. Despite its importance, the Cambodian medicinal Prek Thnoat Community Protected Area plants sector is largely unregulated. Recent field investigations (southern edge of Bokor National Park at Cambodia’s Southwest Coast) by TRAFFIC have revealed a pattern of increasing threat to a wide array of Cambodia’s medicinal plants. Progressive Species ovoideum (Krakao) extraction of medicinal plants from an increasing number Cinnamomum cambodianum (Tepirou) of collection areas within the country is threatening the popu- Contact lations of key species and causes trade supply shortages. TRAFFIC-GMP: [email protected] WWF and TRAFFIC DE: [email protected] Use of Selected Species Amomum ovoideum: Fruits and seeds are collected and used to treat respiratory problems and digestive disorders. Besides the medicinal applications, they Under the auspices of FairWild Foundation two are also used for dietary purposes. standards are implemented: The International Cinnamomum cambodianum: Bark is collected and Standard for Sustainable Wild Collection of used to treat stomach and digestive disorders, cramps Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP) and and diarrhoea. The species has been heavily and unsu- the FairWild Standard. stainably exploited for its medicinal bark.

TRAFFIC THE FAIRWILD FOUNDATION Projects FairWild is an internationally registered trademark / Contact: [email protected] / www.FairWild.org Factsheet produced with funding from Key Features TRAFFIC of the Project

Conservation Status > Comprehensive species Amomum ovoideum (Krakao) is a widespread shade demanding rhizoma- and site selection process based on a situation analysis tous herb of the ginger family (). It is associated with dense and previous work of the and semi-dense forest habitats. Generally it is not considered as threatened TRAFFIC Greater Mekong Programme on the Cambodian as only its fruits and seeds are targeted for collection on a seasonal basis. MAP sector > Regional and national level Cinnamomum cambodianum (Tepirou) is reportedly endemic to Cambodia workshops including all though it may occur in closely adjacent areas of , and Viet relevant stakeholders (govern- ment; local communities; Nam. The main populations are found in Southwest Cambodia ( NGOs; private sector) to and Elephant Ranges, Phnom Aural and Samlaut district) and probably in raise awareness of the need of sector regulation and dry evergreen forests in Cambodia’s north and north east (Prey Lang area species management and Ratanakiri province). The species is currently not listed on the IUCN Red > IUCN-Red List conservation List but was assessed by the Cambodian Tree Seed Project in 2003 and rated status assessment of C. cambodianum as Vulnerable (VU A1cd + 2d). For national management purposes it is con- > Baseline resource assessment sidered as endangered. It has been heavily exploited for its use in traditional > Initiation of community-based medicine. Its wood is also valued and mature trees are now hard to find. management plan development > Market chain study of the two Towards Sustainability selected species The main challenges for project sustainability are the development of > Legal review of the MAP sector in Cambodia mechanisms for effective sector organization on the national level and local > Translation of ISSC-MAP and species and area management. It is crucial to develop the market for related communication and products and include traders and companies in the process. Key issues that PR material into Khmer will be addressed are capacity building of the local communities for commu- nity-based resource management and yield assessment of target species, With funding from sustainable MAP collection technique and monitoring, developing a regulation for access and benefit sharing of MAP in Prek Thnoat CPA, and raising funds to continue the project after 2009.