In Pu Treng village, Dak Dam commune, Mondulkiri province, Bournorng Indigenous community continues to protect its ancestral heritage and lands through collective governance rooted in tradition.

With a population of 108 households and 532 members, including 274 women, the community practices rotational farming and sustainable forest use while preserving cultural spaces for ceremonies, music, and spiritual worship.

Despite formal recognition of their Indigenous identity by the Ministry of Rural Development and Interior in 2014, the community’s journey toward securing its Indigenous Communal Land Title (ICLT) faced significant obstacles.

Though an application for collective land registration was submitted in 2017—covering 1,338.69 hectares—prolonged government delays led to rising land encroachment and frustration. Some households even withdrew from the ICLT process out of disillusionment.

In response, My Village Organization (MVi) and supporting NGOs partnered with the community to revive the ICLT efforts.

Together, they reviewed and updated legal documentation, restructured the ICLT committee, and facilitated community engagement with authorities from village to provincial levels. This renewed momentum helped address encroachment issues, revalidate land boundaries, and strengthen the community’s legal standing.

By the end of 2024, these efforts yielded tangible results. The Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Land Management conducted a public display—signaling the final procedural step toward issuing the ICLT certificate. Community representative Mr. Chren expressed hope and gratitude: “Thanks to MVi and donors for their continued support. I believe our land rights will soon be formally secured.”