Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Bunong complain of logging at Phnom Preah mountain

Bunong complain of logging at Phnom Preah mountain

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A group of 30 indigenous people investigate around 100ha of protected forest at the foot of the Phnom Preah mountain that had been allegedly illegally logged. Photo supplied

Bunong complain of logging at Phnom Preah mountain

The Bunong ethnic community in Mondulkiri province’s Me Pai village, Pou Chrei commune, in Pech Chreada district alleged that an estimated 100ha of protected forest at the foot of the Phnom Preah mountain had been illegally logged with help from local authorities.

Sreunh Sinuon, a resident of the village, said a group of 30 indigenous people were prompted to investigate the site after they were alerted by nearby villagers that local authorities and land brokers had allegedly conspired to log the site over four months.

He said when the group arrived, they found that small and large trees on some 100ha out of 120ha had been cleared.

“We don’t know what they want to use the land for. They just logged trees, but have not bulldozed the land yet,” he said, adding that local communities relied heavily on the forest for their livelihoods and traditional lifestyle.

However, village chief Toy Cheunh, who was among the 30 to act on the tip, refuted claims that authorities had colluded to clear the site. He said some villagers had cleared a small portion of the forest at the foot of the mountain for farming.

“Don’t believe [the claims] because the area has been protected for a long time. The foot of the mountain is behind villagers’ homes, so they just fell some trees for farming. There is no land grab on the mountain because we protect it,” he said.

Pou Chrei commune chief Keunh Ratha shared Cheunh’s views that local villagers had cleared some portions to expand their land for farming. He said he had heard rumours that an oknha had sought permission to build an eco-tourism site on the mountain.

“Residents of Me Pai village cut trees for farming, not to sell . . . I heard that there is an oknha who wants [to build an eco-tourism site], but the ones who felled the trees are not oknha. They are ordinary villagers.

Pech Chreada district governor Meul Soeun said he was not aware of any oknha attempting to build an eco-tourism site on the mountain.

Mondulkiri Department of Environment director Keo Sopheak also said he was unaware of forest clearing on Phnom Preah mountain. He said officials would certainly crack down on the case and send it to court for further action if it had indeed occurred.

“When we are unable to catch loggers red-handed, we note them as unidentified suspects and file a case with the court for further action,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.