Empowering Youth for the Protection of Prey Lang Forest and Sustainable Futures
Thursday February 27th, 2025
Mr. Lay Phally is an active 35-year-old engaged with the Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN) and lives in Stung Treng’s Kan Cham commune. Since 2019, the Cambodian Youth Network Association has been empowering him and providing capacity-building on citizens’ and environmental rights, boosting his confidence to engage deeply with PLCN to protect Prey Lang Forest. Phally volunteers with PLCN and CYN because he wants to contribute his time to safeguarding the forest, ensuring its sustainability for future generations, and promoting social justice.
An active youth, Phally has been involved with PLCN since 2015 because he genuinely believes his actions serve as a model for other young people and future generations to engage in protecting natural resources. Prey Lang Forest offers significant advantages to local communities, providing vital resources like food, fruits, and medicinal plants, which support their livelihoods. The forest also preserves traditional knowledge and cultural practices while offering a sustainable source of income through ecotourism. Additionally, it helps protect water sources, regulate the climate, and maintain biodiversity, all essential for surrounding villages’ agricultural and economic well-being. The forest is crucial for maintaining a balanced ecosystem that benefits the environment and the people who depend on it.
Phally’s dream is to see more youth engaged in protecting natural resources in Cambodia. He believes that youth participation is key to ensuring the sustainability of forests for their communities and protecting biodiversity. He hopes young people will become part of the solution by raising awareness and encouraging public engagement.
Mr. Lay Phally is an active 35-year-old engaged with the Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN) and lives in Stung Treng’s Kan Cham commune. Since 2019, the Cambodian Youth Network Association has been empowering him and providing capacity-building on citizens’ and environmental rights, boosting his confidence to engage deeply with PLCN to protect Prey Lang Forest. Phally volunteers with PLCN and CYN because he wants to contribute his time to safeguarding the forest, ensuring its sustainability for future generations, and promoting social justice.
An active youth, Phally has been involved with PLCN since 2015 because he genuinely believes his actions serve as a model for other young people and future generations to engage in protecting natural resources. Prey Lang Forest offers significant advantages to local communities, providing vital resources like food, fruits, and medicinal plants, which support their livelihoods. The forest also preserves traditional knowledge and cultural practices while offering a sustainable source of income through ecotourism. Additionally, it helps protect water sources, regulate the climate, and maintain biodiversity, all essential for surrounding villages’ agricultural and economic well-being. The forest is crucial for maintaining a balanced ecosystem that benefits the environment and the people who depend on it.
Phally’s dream is to see more youth engaged in protecting natural resources in Cambodia. He believes that youth participation is key to ensuring the sustainability of forests for their communities and protecting biodiversity. He hopes young people will become part of the solution by raising awareness and encouraging public engagement.