Ranger training

BPAMP and WildAid have been supporting the Ministry of Environment with capacity building in protected areas since March and December 2000 respectively. WildAid’s input in Preah Monivong “Bokor” National Park has an aim similar to the aim of BPAMP in Virachey National Park, namely to develop and test models and then share lessons learned with other protected area staff.

Both Virachey and Bokor have progressed to the point where lessons can now be shared with protected area staff across Cambodia. Both parks have different sets of circumstances and their respective approaches to conservation can be combined and applied as appropriate to the various situations found in protected areas across the country. Virachey’s system of conservation has focused significantly on community relations, negotiations and co-management, among other aspects such as park protection, monitoring and transboundary cooperation. Bokor until now has focused largely on law enforcement and field craft; community outreach work commenced in 2003 to create a balance.

Three round table meetings between BPAMP, WildAid, non-governmental organisations and Ministry of Environment staff have been held to exchange best practices and to develop the outline of a national ranger training curriculum. Based on the ranger training programme developed by WildAid since 2002 and inputs from the round table meetings, training materials and training management packages for basic and enforcement ranger training courses are being developed and refined. This task is carried out by WildAid personnel, co-financed by BPAMP and WildAid.

The contents of the training management packages, which are in the final stages of completion, are based on the competency standards for protected area jobs in Southeast Asia (developed by ARCBC), and the Department of Nature Conservation and Protection’s competency profiles for protected area staff in Cambodia.

The three ranger training management packages which are almost completed are:

Basic ranger training course

This course contains 7 modules: Understand Biodiversity - basic environmental and community issues, Understand Protected Area Law, Basic First Aid, Basic Navigation, Basic Fire Fighting Techniques, Transceiver Communications, and Ranger Based Data Collection.

Enforcement ranger training course

This course contains 7 modules: Enforcement Rangers Responsibilities, Weapon Handling, Patrol Operations, Hostile Engagement, Arrest and Secure, Vehicle Check Point, and Crowd Control.

Tourism ranger training course

This course contains 9 modules: Ecotourism codes of conduct; Conservation, ecology and protected area management; Community participation; Minimal impacts; Visitors safety and comfort; Visitor types, expectation and communication; Logistical coordination and tour organisation; Guiding skills; and Maintenance of natural areas.

National Ranger Training Centre

A National Ranger Training Centre has been constructed in Bokor National Park, co-financed by BPAMP and WildAid.