
Improving conservation of Veun Sai Siem Pang National Park through community-based ecotourism
Veun Sai Siem Pang National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to different threatened species like the Endangered Northern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon. However, the park faces growing threats from deforestation driven by poverty and weak governance. Local communities, struggling with limited income opportunities, often resort to clearing forests for agriculture, putting vital habitats at risk.
Threats

Habitat loss & degradation
This project aims to tackle these challenges by reducing the economic pressures that drive deforestation, while strengthening local governance and conservation efforts.
The project will create sustainable livelihood opportunities through improved eco-tourism activities, such as improved visitor trails and new observation points. Despite its remote location, the park’s unique appeal presents an opportunity to grow as a premier ecotourism destination. By installing educational signs and collaborating with local tour operators, the project aims to increase visitor numbers and create jobs, ultimately supporting long-term conservation.
To conserve 11 threatened species and 500 hectares of forest, the project will conduct biodiversity surveys to map key habitats and integrate them into conservation plans. By working with local authorities, efforts will strengthen ranger patrols and zoning efforts, ensuring the long-term conservation of threatened gibbon species. Local knowledge and scientific research will guide these efforts, safeguarding critical habitats.
The project will further train community members in biodiversity preservation and eco-tourism through workshops and outreach programs. By engaging indigenous communities and local authorities, the initiative fosters long-term commitment to conserve the park.
Through these efforts, the project will secure critical habitats for threatened species while ensuring that local communities benefit from conservation.
This project is implemented by Conservation International in collaboration with TUI Care Foundation and IUCN.