Cardamom solution remains an option
Dr. Tim Killeen, author of The Cardamom Conundrum, Reconciling Development and Conservation in the Kingdom of Cambodia, discusses his recently released book, which argues that Cambodia is well positioned to reap the benefits of ‘green development’. Why did you select the Cardamom Mountains as the area as for proposing a development model that is both economically vibrant and environmentally sound? This was where CI [Conservation International] was working and it turned out to be a good microcosm for the country as a whole. The challenges and opportunities for the Cardamoms are essentially the same that face the nation. … There are many opportunities for “green” development, which generate economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty, while conserving the natural sources that support the Cambodian economy. The point is to avoid knee-jerk reactions to oppose traditional development options, such as hydropower for example, while convincing investors that the blind pursuit of short-term economic gain based on exploitive practices is not the best way to maximise the return on your investment capital. …
