Prey Toap Community Protected Area (CPA) members, in cooperation with rangers from the Preah Vihear provincial Department of Environment, collected 26 chainsaws left behind by a group of illegal loggers at Prey Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary in Choam Ksan district's Pring Thom commune last week.

The community, a part of the Northern Plains REDD+ Project, said on January 28 that the offenders abandoned their chainsaws in the forest close to the Prey Toap CPA border as they fled.

They said community patrols such as these have proved to be a successful strategy of the Northern Plains REDD+ Project in preventing forestry crimes and conserving forest resources for communities to use sustainably.

According to the environment ministry, Prey Toap CPA covers more than 3,000ha. Community members and environment officials have joined hands to protect the forests for common interests.

The community also gain benefits from trees such as resin, honey and edible fruits, among others.