Images of some of the forestry crimes which members of the Kuoy indigenous community claimed to have identified Preah Vihear’s Preah Roka sanctuary. Supplied
Following the recent discovery of forest crimes which took place within protected areas, Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth has reiterated that all provincial departments of the environment ministry must strictly enforce the law to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources in protected zones.
The directive was issued during the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the Kandal provincial administration on the prevention and reduction of pollution in public water areas, held on the afternoon of May 12.
Sophalleth urged all provincial environment directors to strengthen the management of natural resources and biodiversity conservation. He emphasised the need to carefully review the reports submitted by the environmental officers and rangers who patrol protected areas and enforce the law.
His renewed directive followed claims by community members and environmental activists of numerous forest crime cases, particularly in the Chheb-Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear province.
The Kuoy indigenous community in Prame village and commune, in Preah Vihear’s Tbeng Meanchey district, issued a May 12 announcement that in just three days of monitoring, they had identified separate 334 cases of forest crimes within the Preah Roka sanctuary.
The community claimed the discoveries were made from May 5-7, and included included felled large and small trees, logging camps, chainsaws and even caches of spare parts for repairing logging machinery.
Sophalleth also instructed officials to examine the satellite maps provided by the ministry and to conduct regular drone flights to assess the real-time situation on the ground in protected areas. Additionally, they should follow up on media reports related to illegal activities within their jurisdictions.
“All relevant documents and information must be collated for review. If wrongdoing is discovered, responses must be taken, in accordance with professional ethics and the legal procedures which are outlined in existing laws and regulations,” he said.
The minister noted that strong measures must be taken to combat natural resource crimes. This includes 100 per cent enforcement of the law, with no exceptions, and an end to the previous process of issuing warnings and making offenders sign contracts before releasing them.
He also called for strengthened cooperation with the provincial unified command committees, as local authorities play a key role in managing natural resources. This includes preventing, protecting and conserving natural resources in protected areas, as well as working with the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), the National Military Police and other law enforcement branches, as well as the Ministry of Justice.
Sophalleth recalled that tools and equipment have been provided to support law enforcement efforts. This includes the issuing of drones to all provincial departments to help ranger patrols cover more ground, as well as paper and satellite maps.
In addition, he reminded officials of the need to encourage reforestation, urging more tree planting to expand green cover, as part of Cambodia’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
