Trouble in paradise

The Cardamom Mountains, in western Cambodia are one of the largest forest blocs remaining in South East Asia.

Adjacent to this waterfall (probably Cambodia's largest) is a HUGE quarry, mining stone to use for the MASSIVE dam being built upstream. Chinese companies are flocking to Cambodia because they know well that the Cambodian government will permit development in pristine areas if the right price is paid. At this dam (on the Stung Atay river), a huge inundation zone will be created in former forest, spelling disaster for the Siamese crocodile, a species FFI has been working with for over a decade.

Riveting but slightly depressing journey around the Cardamom Mountains, getting a glimpse into what challenges my colleagues in Cambodia are facing on a daily basis. Around every corner there seemed to be either an access road for logging, forest being felled for sugar cane or young lads carrying bags of bushmeat.

The natural beauty of these places cannot be ignored.