Forest Service issues commemorative stamps for 'endangered species' protected in Cambodia

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Forest Service will issue commemorative stamps introducing four endangered species native to Cambodia protected through overseas greenhouse gas reduction activities (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus, hereinafter REDD+).

Image of a commemorative stamp for the conservation of endangered species in Cambodia. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.

REDD+ refers to activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by preventing deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Among the endangered species protected by the Korea Forest Service, the ones featured on the commemorative stamps are the Malayan pangolin, the Owston's civet, the Indochinese monkey, and the bonneted long-armed monkey.

Previously, since 2015, the Korea Forest Service has been conducting a REDD+ pilot project in Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia, reducing 650,000 tons of greenhouse gases by September 2020. Currently, continuous monitoring activities are underway.

The REDD+ pilot project has contributed not only to greenhouse gas reduction but also to forest conservation in Cambodia, improvement of local residents' quality of life, and enhancement of biodiversity.

In particular, the project area has contributed to the conservation of 91 species of biodiversity, among which 2 bird species and 9 mammal species are endangered species designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), according to the Korea Forest Service.

The commemorative stamps can be purchased by visiting post offices in person or through the online post office.

Lee Yong-kwon, Overseas Resources Officer at the Korea Forest Service, said, “REDD+ is considered an effective nature-based solution to address various challenges humanity faces, including joint climate change response, biodiversity conservation, and improvement of local residents' quality of life. The Korea Forest Service will continue to expand REDD+ to contribute to achieving the 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for greenhouse gas reduction and non-carbon benefits.”