A new land-use committee will register State and indigenous land, and tackle land disputes in Mondulkiri, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara said.
The committee’s formation is based on a July 3 directive by Prime Minister Hun Sen to provide land to citizens in protected areas.
Ministry secretary of state Sar Sovann will direct the land-use committee made up of 21 officials.
The committee will assemble 12 teams in five districts to register State, private, and indigenous land in Mondulkiri.
“The committee’s duty is to register State land occupied by citizens in protected areas and indigenous community land to tackle land disputes in Mondulkiri,” said Sophara.
The committee is also responsible for collaborating with the ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Environment, and local authorities, units and related parties to carry out the duties and report on progress, he said.
Land management ministry spokesman Seng Lot said on Tuesday that the committee was established on the advice of Prime Minister Hun Sen who mentioned it on July 3 at a plenary meeting of the Council of Ministers.
“We will first create a committee in Mondulkiri and expand to other provinces like Koh Kong,” Lot said.
Hun Sen ordered the ministry to give land to citizens who have settled in protected areas like Koh Kong, Preah Vihear and other provinces for more than 10 years.
Mondulkiri deputy governor Cheak Mengheang said on Tuesday the provincial administration has not received orders and he is waiting for Sophara to lead a July 28 meeting about the work.
“We will know about the mechanisms in the upcoming meeting. All members and related people will follow the national committee’s order,” he said.
Mondulkiri province has a total area of 14,288sqm and the terrain is forest, mountains, plateaus and valleys.
The province has a total population of 90,949 people, equal to 21,478 families and 82 per cent of citizens work in the agriculture sector. Just one per cent have jobs related to handcrafts and 17 per cent work in the services sector, according to a news release by the provincial administration.
