Cambodia

After years of suppression under the Khmer Rouge and the unrest that followed, Cambodian people are trying to rebuild a sense of community. And in villages and towns the re-emerging centers of community life tend to be the Buddhist pagodas. Their monks and nuns are helping people claim the right to education, and guiding them to understand, protect and improve their environment.

The World Bank has engaged with Buddhists in Cambodia by supporting a project that is funded under an agreement with the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC):

• The project works directly with 14 pagodas in rural areas in Kampong Speu province and Kampong Thom province. The executing agency NGO Mlup Baitong has developed capacity building through environmental education and training, not only for the monks resident in these pagodas but also for achars, nuns and villagers in the surrounding districts. In addition, Mlup Baitong has provided support to the 14 pagodas as promoters of sustainable development models for other neighboring pagodas and all villagers in the vicinity. In this registered network there are 360 monks, 231 achars, 34 nuns and 13,300 villagers.
  
  
• The project employs a multi-sectoral approach in its building of partnerships and co-operates closely with the Ministry of Environment (MOE), Department of Education, Provincial Environmental Department, National Park authorities and local officials. Mlup Baitong also employs two government counterparts, one from the Department of Nature Conservation and one from Provincial Environment Department.
  
  
• Training on Buddhism and the environment and the practical application of these skills was initially provided to monks and achars, who in turn, disseminated knowledge to the villagers and visitors through lectures, workshops or closed circuit radio programs on t'gai sel (Buddhist holy days) or ceremonies. Fifty-five workshops for monks have been held, 450 village lectures have been given by the monks and two provincial network meeting for all participating monks have been organized. Written and visual training material for monastic, educational, community and NGO use has been produced based on the experience of Mlup Baitong.
  
  
• Tree nurseries are now well-established in the pagodas and during 2002 27,000 seedlings have been germinated; some seedlings are planted on pagoda grounds whilst others are donated to the community. Training has been delivered on the repair and construction of nurseries, the collection of seeds, composting, germination, distribution, planting and monitoring of seedlings. As part of the school environment program, tree nurseries and compost bins have also been established in 8 schools and more than 1000 trees planted. The monks have organized seedling ordination ceremonies and multi-sectoral tree planting days.
  
  
• Water surveys documenting wells, ponds, usage, clean and contaminated water were conducted in 9 pagodas and prioritized plans for wells, rainwater jars, water filters and latrine installation are now being implemented. Three models of improved cooking stoves (ICS) were constructed in 2 pagodas which decrease fuel wood use by up to 50%. In 2004 Mlup Baitong is planning a campaign through the pagodas to make such stoves widely available and adopted.