At the local level, CI has helped foster the adoption of participatory land use planning (PLUP) to determine the best use of local lands for both economic and conservation purposes.

Members of the communities created maps to illustrate the current uses of their land, then worked with CI to determine how to change their practices to ensure environmental preservation.

PLUP, besides proving to be logistically successful, carried special significance in Cambodia. The democratic process is just beginning in this country, and the free democratic elections used to select environmental leaders for PLUP were among the first such elections in which the people participated. Since the process began, more than 1,000 men and women have participated.

IN DEPTH: Learn about more population, health and environment initiatives in Cambodia.