Cambodia has used the
huge natural base asset to enjoy in building up the entire economic
breakthrough but at the same time deteriorated the said resources at a greater
rate of utilization. This reflects the lack of sustainability of the resources
available in the state as compared to the levels of its population. Lack of
proper management of the natural resources often results in the compromising of
the long period economic threshold as well as conquering the poverty
epidemic ("Global forest
resources," 2010).
The states rural
development is not as proportional comparing the public goods to the state of
livelihoods as there is a decreased access and low quality that affects the
poor population dearly. The people surviving below the poverty line are more
prone to the frustrations of inadequacy of ownership of assets, life
opportunities and are left to compromise with the changing and ever fluctuating
climatic conditions of the state of Cambodia.
2. Overview of Current Challenges and
Opportunities
The environment and
climate change has come to be a priority concern of the government of Cambodia
in the recent past, and it has been incorporated in the development schemes of
the state's affairs. The studies and observations regarding the current
situation showed that the government is committing itself in improving. He is
addressing matters pertaining the environment and its conservation, demographic
study and governance, human rights and the entire public education (Cambodia -
European Community 2007; PSDA 2013).
The understanding of the
environmental helps in shaping up an organism's life in the ecology. The
parameters for coping in unstable areas are at stake because the survival rate
depends on striving to survive as a result of improper provision of all what it
takes to be an outstanding conqueror in the long run.
2.1 Environmental Concerns and Biodiversity
The most outstanding
environment related security issues trending around the state of Cambodia
includes the destruction and deterioration of the entire ecosystems, breakdown
of the food supply chains, access to water supply, inadequate land use and poor
government policies. Moreover, the issues are pertaining to the safeguarding of
all the natural resources such as lack of the ability to utilize natural based
products from the ecosystems and the outputs generated from the ecosystems such
as forests and fisheries. There exist irresolvable disputes and high interests
over resources that are scarce with the given high and rising population in the
state of Cambodia. Lack of natural capital, pollution effects and the existence
of conflicts over resources will be remained a newsmaker for the current
situation.It may continue until proper guidelines on the empowerment of the
unemployed and safeguarding of the natural resources are concerned (Dasgupta, Uwe, Craig & David, 2003. "Global forest resources," 2010).
The study of the
interaction of mankind population change over a given period is known as
population dynamics. It is a study that incapacitates all factors revolving
around the human life including, age, birth and death rates, immigration and
number of immigrants (Solbu, Engen & Diserud , 2013). Population dynamics
is linked with social, economic and environment parameters that are integral
for sustainable development. Figure 1 shows a graphical presentation of these
parameters and their association with population dynamics. In this context, the
human population trends are alarming in the state of Cambodia as they are
increasing with a rapid growth rate and the available resources within the
environment are constant. The entire population is of importance to the
environment on both the positive and negative impacts that will be felt and
seen later. The rising population in the Cambodia state is un-proportionally
increasing the demands of the natural resources such as land adequacy, water
availability and energy sourcing and supply.
Figure1: Links between
population dynamic and Sustainable development parameters
Source adopted:
PSDA,2013
Population dynamics
exists in the context of persistent inequalities and a major influencing factor
in the development process. This also incorporates the balance of growth and
associated effects that would be seen in the coming years by the future
generation.
3.1 Environmental Concerns & Population
Dynamics
Key environmental issues
related to population dynamics in the state includes land degradation, loss of
biodiversity ecosystem, deforestation, scarcity and pollution of water, natural
hazards as well as disaster and change in the climatic conditions. These
environmental problems have effects on the vulnerability and poverty issues,
economic development and public health (Cambodia - European Community
2007; Solbu, Engen & Diserud, 2013)..
4. Population Dynamics and Biodiversity
Implications and
degradation of loss of biodiversity and services offered by the ecosystem are
currently being felt on the ground by the residents. It is endowed with various
natural resources, regimes of hydrology, and this diversified ecosystem
provides resources and source of livelihood to the major part of the entire
population. There lies a fishing viability in the course of rivers and lakes in
the country, and the population of the country is dependent on it. Due to this
increase in population, there is a decreased levels of productivity of the
fisheries industry in regards of illegal and overfishing as well as the
downgrading of the critical forest covers and exhaustion of the wetlands
(Cambodia - European Community 2007). The fishery sector is not only on
the lead for over-exploitation of the resources in Cambodia. There is a
substantial lack of proper management with regards to matters of food security,
the rights of humans and the basic social, economic needs which have a
significant role to play in the country.
5. Population Dynamics and Pollution
Effects on Environment
The forests cover of the
land of Cambodia serves as a major source of many lives and ecosystem
opportunities that entail climate control and regulation, water and air
purification (Yusuf & Francisco, 2009). The forests are also in charge in
the regulation of water flow to river basins such as the Mekong basins in the
land of Cambodia. The rate of forest clearing and deforestation is still high
as the total forest cover has decreased by over 15 % annually. Loss of forest
cover downgrades the flexibility of the entire ecosystem to calamities as
droughts, diseases and increased effects of climate change (Yusuf &
Francisco, 2009). The accelerating factors to the decline in the forests cover
in Cambodia is attributed to rising population and the need of resources such
as sources of energy, shelters and settlement as well as infrastructural
development. The increase in demographic pressure is in course as the residents
are in need of more land for cultivation and pursuing their agricultural
expansion. The poor planning and management of the current land allocation, as
well as land grabbing by corrupt persons and officials in the departments of
forestry and conservation, are also cause of concern. The state has a record of
being one of the worst in the rates of deforestation (Dasgupta et al.
2003: PSDA 2013).
Deposition of silt, use
of manure and fertilizer and practice of good agricultural practices are the
surviving tactics of the Cambodia agricultural ventures. This is because the
land of Cambodia is of low nutritional composition and fertility for crops to thrive.
Low quantity and quality production of food crops have been attributed to the
infertility of the soil (Yusuf & Francisco, 2009). Demographics or
population dynamics has a direct and indirect cause to this issue at stake. For
instance, land degradation is hugely influenced by soil erosion that is caused
by deforestation and clearing of the soil cover thus leaching off all the soil
constituents to the water- ways. This poses a huge problem to the entire
population as the low yield in productivity raises the concern of food
security, health of the entire population and adverse effects on land and water
pollution (Yusuf & Francisco, 2009).
Pollution of water
bodies is much attributed to the growing and high level of the population of
residents. A good example is the Tonle Sap great lake where human settlement
took course long ago, and they are now reclaiming parts of the shores to add
more structures. This poses a huge risk to the entire population and the
aquatic life such as fish. With increasing demand for processed products for
the entire population, Cambodia has experienced an increased number of the
industrial establishment which has had a great impact on the state’s economic
(ADB, 2007: PSDA 2013). On the contrary, there is inadequate control over
the wastes produced by the manufacturers and processors. Most of the waste
eventually discharged into the water bodies, and it poses a risk to the aquatic
life. Discharge of waste water into water bodies is against the conduct of good
business practice. In addition, lack of management and corruption of heads of
such departments should be revoked off their working permits as they are
helping in no way either man or the animal life in the water (Cambodia -
European Community, 2007).
As the population scales
to higher levels, there is the lack of income generating activities and this
leads the people of Cambodia on the move to seek other applicable alternatives
elsewhere that can facilitate them to acquire sustainability. This has brought
about seasonal migration to and fro the neighboring countries for specific
periods of time (ADB, 2007; PSDA 2013).
The environmental
concerns in the country downgrade the value and access of the available
resources and in the long run generates other health problems where the most
affected are the poor persons. This increases the vulnerability and
complications in the economic development and the fights against poverty. The
present number of persons living below the poverty line is approximately 35%.
(ADB, 2007: PSDA 2013). Even though, the standards of living have improved in
the recent past but there is a continued widened gap between the rich and the
poor. In Cambodia, because of the high population, poverty is not only inclined
to the rural areas but also in the urban (Biddulph, 2012; Wingqvist,
2009). Urban poverty is on the rise with the increasing urban population.
Agriculture, forests and fisheries in Cambodia serve as an income generating
activity as well as assurances and provision of food security during the hard
time. The poor Cambodians depend entirely on forestry, agricultural and fishery
products for their daily living (Cambodia - European Community 2007).
5.1 Population Dynamics and Natural
Calamities
Increased frequency of
floods, rise in the level of sea water and widespread of common vector-borne
illnesses is an impact of the changes in climate in the state of Cambodia. The
major population makes all things impractical and impossible in combating
various issues as fighting against diseases and protection against natural
calamities like floods and drought. The institutions set aside by the
government to fight against such risks, and natural forces remain limited and
ineffective in their ability (Biddulph, 2012). The fishing communities of
Cambodia are more vulnerable to the effects and impacts of the climatic
changes. This is due to low possibilities of other income generating sources as
there is no land available. In the case of availability, the high prices may
not suit the demand by the poor as compared to the rich (Biddulph,
2012; Wingqvist, 2009).
In addressing the
impacts and effects that come up with the population dynamics in ways that
protect both the rights of mankind and at the same time protecting the natural
environmental resources, various frameworks and formulation have to be set to
address this issues. This demands to include involvement of all stakeholders in
addressing and monitoring mechanisms to look into inequalities existing in
Cambodia (ADB, 2007; PSDA 2013).
Securing resources to do
planning and the utilization of the available data of the entire population
will help a lot in the forms of allocation of resources by the government,
foreign aids and other forms of dissemination that requires the availability of
data at hand.
Population dynamics
refers to the interaction of change in population change over a given period
and is dependent on various factors including age, birth and death rates and so
forth. Sustainability of a country's population is based on the available
resources. Proper control and mitigation strategy regarding the planning and
allocation of resources especially among a growing population becomes hectic
for everyone. However for effective conservation and maintaining of the
country's heritage, strict laws and regulations should be enforced to guard and
protect it. The protection of forests and water bodies is also a significant
advantage for the future generation.
ADB, (2007). Country
strategy and program midterm review. Cambodia 2005–2009,1-44.
Biddulph., R.
2012. REDD and Poverty in Cambodia, Focali Report No 2012:03,
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21,2014 from http://eeas.europa.eu/cambodia/csp/07_13_en.pdf.
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Craig M, and David W, 2003. The poverty and environment news in
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2003, Retrieved September 21, 2014 from: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2003/01/2128867/povertyenvironment-nexus-cambodia-lao-peoples-democratic-republic
Forestry
Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2010).Global
forest resources assessment 2010: Country report, Cambodia (FRA2010/034
). Retrieved from website: http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/al470E/al470E.pdf
PSDA (2013.) Population
Dynamics, Reproductive Health and Sustainable Development: Critical Links and
Opportunities Forrest-2015, Retrieved September 21, 2014 from http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/getWSDoc.php?id=2753
Solbu,E.B. Engen,S. & Diserud O.H.(2013). Changing environments causing time delays in population dynamics, Mathematical Biosciences, 244, 213–223
Wingqvist,G.O.(2009). Cambodia
Environmental and Climate Change Policy Brief, Department of Economics,
University of Gothenburg.
Yusuf,A.A. &
Francisco,H.A.(2009). Climate change vulnerability mapping for
south East Asia. Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia
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