AKP Phnom Penh, August 19, 2025 – In a powerful testament to the transformative potential of conservation, a former indigenous hunter has become a leading advocate for protecting wildlife and natural resources within his community. 

This inspiring story, shared by NatureLife Cambodia to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, highlights a remarkable shift from traditional resource use to dedicated stewardship.

Met Lay, a 37-year-old member of the Kraol indigenous group in Mondulkiri province, once hunted and gathered forest products to provide for his family, a practice deeply rooted in his community’s ancestral traditions. Now, he serves as a pivotal community leader, committed to safeguarding the very forests and wildlife that once sustained him.

His village, Rovak, was selected for the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project based on its location within the sanctuary, its Kraol indigenous population, and its reliance on forest resources. The community’s own request to form a natural protected area committee also played a key role.

Since 2023, the community has received extensive support, including the implementation of a natural resource management plan, regular patrols, and a “Wildlife Rescue Rice” programme that links conservation efforts with rice production. 

Other initiatives include wetland restoration and biodiversity monitoring.

That same year, Met Lay was elected to the Rovak Community Protected Area Committee. 

His role marked a profound change in his life. “Before joining the committee, I used to set traps and eat bushmeat according to indigenous customs,” he shared. “Now I have stopped eating wild animals and instead work to protect them for the future of my community.”

He has since traded his traps for cameras and mobile phones, documenting wildlife sightings instead of hunting them. Met Lay emphasises that forests and wildlife are essential for indigenous peoples, providing sustenance, livelihoods, and a defence against climate change. His hope is that future generations will have the chance to live alongside Cambodia’s remaining wild species.

By K. Rithy Reak