Indigenous community patrollers found around 250 cases of suspected deforestation at Preah Vihear’s Prey Preah Roka forest during two patrols in July and August, and are urging authorities to allow more patrols into the forest.
Unidentified criminals have cut down and stolen four prized rosewood trees from a Siem Reap conservation area, officials say.
Eight people have been charged for extortion in Preah Vihear province after allegedly extorting the owner of a woodworking workshop as journalists.
More than 40 environmental activists said in an open letter that the government has yet to fully commit to forest conservation — despite a recent crackdown on forestry crimes.
An environmental activist has called on the government to expand its forestry crime crackdown to the Prey Lang Forest, casting suspicion on two companies he said should be monitored.
Illegal logging and timber trafficking are continuing with impunity as local administrators and government officials become complacent under the country’s single-party rule, two NGO officers said.
A Kompong Thom Provincial Court deputy prosecutor has been “temporarily suspended” from his job after being accused of illegally clearing of protected mangroves and flooded forest and in the province’s Kompong Svay district.
Environmentalists protecting the Prey Lang forest expressed skepticism as the Environment Ministry pledged renewed commitments to conservation at the launch of a $21-million U.S.-funded consulting project for the sanctuary.
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