Environmental activists say illegal logging in Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary is happening almost every day, as foreign researchers released new data indicating high levels of selective logging in the deep forest.
About 30 villagers wielded axes and machetes as they tore down a forestry patrol shed in Oddar Meanchey province, locals say, sparking accusations of corruption and timber trafficking from a prominent monk’s environmentalist coalition.
Forestry watchdogs say they have seen increased logging activity in the Prey Lang sanctuary, especially after independent forest patrollers were stopped by authorities from entering, but officials have defended their ban on unregistered forest patrols.
Four anti-logging activists were let go on Monday after being questioned by a provincial court prosecutor and labeled as suspects by local authorities, following their detention by a timber company with a land concession next to Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Seven ethnic Bunong villagers and a human rights officer in Mondulkiri province have filed a complaint to the provincial court accusing two local officials and two others of illegally clearing state forest land for private gain.
Three business tycoons who were summoned for court questioning in relation to alleged forestry crimes are suspected by officials of attempting to avoid justice, days after the government issued a plan directing authorities to freeze the assets of forestry offenders and take other actions.
The National Anti-Deforestation Committee said today that it had arrested alleged timber-smuggling tycoon Soeng Sam Ol in Mondulkiri province and confiscated more than 40 of
VOD is an independent media outlet producing radio programs and disseminating information to the public via the Internet.
© 2019 VOD. All Rights Reserved.
