The World Wide Fund for Nature has hailed the government’s decision to officially approve management zones in Mondulkiri province’s Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, in what it said was a critical move in protecting both natural biodiversity and indigenous human communities.

The new government sub-decree issued on Friday will ensure effective protection against environmental crimes such as wildlife poaching, forest destruction and illegal land encroachment, it said.

This commitment will promote strong participation from local communities as it evokes support from the people to conserve the country’s rich biological diversity, it added.