Virachey National Park - Pilot Site

BPAMP activities at Virachey National Park aim to develop, test and implement proactive measures to minimise unsustainable exploitation and degradation of the biodiversity of national and global significance in the park. In other words, to set up an effective management of Virachey National Park. This includes the development, testing and implementation of proactive measures which involve local communities more directly in the planning and management of the park.

This is achieved through project activities in 4 broad areas:

• park protection and management
• community development and outreach
• ecotourism
• information management

The lessons derived from these initiatives are used to formulate national models for effective protected area management. Models which have been successfully tested and implemented in Virachey National Park contribute to the development of a national protected area management tool kit.

Park protection and management focuses on the implementation of the five-year management and financial plan for Virachey National Park. Key outputs include: a park protection strategy, job descriptions (competency profiles), which form the basis for transparent annual performance appraisal, monitoring of trends in illegal activities and wildlife based on standardised collection of data by rangers, regular monitoring flights, demarcation of the park boundary, and the start of research activities.

Community development and outreach aims to involve local communities more directly in the planning and co-management of Virachey National Park. Key outputs include: socio-economic and natural resource use surveys, empowerment of local communities through education, training and the set-up of community protected area committees, agreement on boundaries of four community protected areas, community protected area regulations, and Small Grant Guidelines to fund activities which support the objectives of the park and improve the livelihood of local communities.

A 5-year ecotourism strategy for Virachey National Park has been drafted. The development of quality, viable and appropriate tourism products with a distinctive and marketable theme has started with the set-up of trails for forest trekking, involving local communities in organising village home stay, and the establishment of a professional guiding service.

A computer-based spatial management information system has been put in place which provides park managers with easy access to up-to-date and timely information for their decision-making, planning and monitoring and evaluation.

The management of Virachey National Park is headed by a Park Director. The total staff number is 109, which includes 3 wardens, 65 rangers, 14 community facilitators and outreach staff, 9 tourism staff and administrative and support staff. In addition, 2 international consultants are working as long-term advisors for the park.