More tigers means a lot more tourists, say NGOs

[geovalin]

A project to increase the number of wild tigers in the northeastern part of Cambodia was put forward to the Cambodian government by a group of NGOs yesterday. At a Protection and Conservation of Wild Life seminar, chaired by Prime Minister Hun Sen, country director of WWF Cambodia Seng Teak said the project to increase the number of wild tigers in Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri would attract tourists and generate income for locals.

 

“Wildlife sightseeing, particularly watching wild tigers, has generated economic growth in some countries, and in Cambodia could create jobs for local people,” Mr. Teak said. “The northeastern area, which the government has set as a possible tourist destination, has wide potential for developing a wildlife sightseeing sector for Southeast Asia.” Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed strong support for the project, asking the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to work with WWF and other NGOs on the project.

 

“The Ministry of Environment must work with WWF to bring wild tigers into the country,” Mr Hun Sen said. “The more we can breed, the better.” The Prime Minister lamented the loss of many of Cambodia’s wild animals, such as elephants, wild ox, banteng, and wild tigers and other animal species that vanished during war. 

 

read more http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5079471/tigers-means-lot-tourists-say-ngos/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 23/08

 

[canuckamuck]

Unfortunately they will probably be hungry Chinese tourists hoping to eat a tiger todger and likely some officials will be happy to make it happen.

[phantomfiddler]

And a lot more tourists would mean a lot more tiger food, a wonderfully symbiotic solution :)