ANÁLISIS DE LAS BARRERAS DE ENTRADA Y SALIDA

Overall this study attempted to achieve a vague and complex feat, unveiling what nature conservation (a massive topic) means to Cambodian people. Focusing this study on Phnom Tamao provided boundaries while also expanding the project. Many different elements were at work during this study which at some point made the amount of data received almost unmanageable. Being that there was so much interesting information it proved difficult to summarize neatly all the different findings. It appeared in the end that the findings could almost stand on their own, in that the findings were interesting just for the sake of learning more about Cambodians’ notions of these concepts. They were useful to learn and provided insight into Cambodians’ conceptions of different topics relating to wildlife, a rescue centre, nature, development, threats to nature, drawbacks and personal gripes. This is all interesting information for conservation practitioners and anyone who is interested in how other cultures experience their world.

Some of the findings were more familiar than others; wildlife being a large animal or nature being something green are not unfamiliar associations. But other comments were more unique to Cambodia, such as learning about how many Cambodians still believe in the forest spirit and how closely Cambodian people still find happiness and protection in nature. The connection to nature that Cambodians have retained is most likely found in other developing countries where communities are still living so closely with nature. This study helps reinforce though how important it will be to maintain those relationships and associations. As social construction of nature theory tries to break down the barriers the western world has created between the contrived duality of society and nature (N. Castree

& B. Braun, 2001; Demeritt, 2002; Hinchliffe, 2007), for many of these communities there is no division.

Overall, the findings from this study are that at least in this region of Cambodia, within these small subsets of the population, nature conservation has a positive association for Cambodian people. In order for it to continue to do what Cambodians perceive it is doing (“protecting the source of dharma”), it will need to make sure it preserves the associations Cambodian people have with nature. That includes their dynamic relationship with it, using it for happiness, sustenance, welfare, protection and spirituality. If those important qualities of nature are lost, I would bet that so would the fight to save all the trees and the wildlife.

Appendix A

Research Information Sheet

My name is Juliane Diamond and I am a Master of International Nature Conservation student at Lincoln

University. My master's research topic is titled: What Does Nature Conservation Mean to

Cambodian People? I am the principal researcher for this topic. This research is being conducted in order to learn more about how Cambodian people conceive of nature conservation in the context of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. The study will focus around the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre in particular.

By learning how Cambodian people interpret nature conservation and in particular, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, conservation practitioners, NGOs, and government ministries will be better able to understand the perceptions and feelings Cambodian people have around nature conservation. The questions for this study will relate to your thoughts on nature conservation, your experiences and opinions on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and your interactions with Phnom Tamao. Although participation is voluntary, I would be most grateful if you would agree to being interviewed.

The interview will take approximately 30 - 60 minutes and will be recorded with a digital recording device, if you are comfortable with that. If not, then only handwritten notes will be taken. The interview will take place at a venue that is convenient to you. The results of the research may be published, but you may be assured of the complete confidentiality of data gathered in this investigation.

To ensure your anonymity and confidentiality, the following steps will be taken: Your identity will be coded, and the code keys will be locked in a secured location on a secure computer. Any written material and transcriptions from interviews will be vetted by both supervisors to ensure that anonymity has been preserved where required. While in Cambodia all written material will be locked and stored in a secure location and on a secure computer until back in New Zealand where it will then be stored securely at Lincoln University.

You are able to withdraw information up until the time of analyzing the results. Analysis of results is expected to begin by December 2012. Beyond this date it will be impossible to extract the data.

If you are interested in participating I would ask that you please contact me at the number below and from there we can schedule an interview time and place that works for you. I request from there that we can either record your consent to participate if you are agreeing to be recorded, or if you are not comfortable with that, then we can utilize your response to this invitation to participate as your consent. I would also be pleased to discuss any concerns or inquiries that you may have about participation in the project.

Thank you very much for your interest in my study, I hope to hear from you soon.

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Phone: Cambodia: +855 090 521 827, USA: +01 305-968-5362

Names and contacts of Supervisor and Associate supervisor:

Dr. Ronlyn Duncan, email- [email protected]

Dr. Ken Hughey, email- [email protected]

A.1

Research Information Sheet – Khmer