Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - NGOs petition for permit to patrol forests

NGOs petition for permit to patrol forests

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Representatives of over 20 NGOs and communities gather at the agriculture ministry to file their petition on Tuesday. FB

NGOs petition for permit to patrol forests

The Ministry of Environment has received a petition from more than 20 NGOs and community members requesting the right to conduct patrols in protected areas, and urging increased enforcement of natural resource crimes.

The ministry said it had strategies and policies that protected and conserved natural resources in place already, and was carrying out its work responsibly and professionally.

Twenty institutions, including civil society organisations, environmental activists and students, also submitted the same petition to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on March 29. They urged the ministries to live up to the commitments stated in the National Forest Programme 2010-2029. As part of the programme, they set the goal of increasing forest cover to 60 per cent of the country by 2029.

“They must tackle natural resource crimes, punish illegal timber traders, as well as investigating any type of corruption that causes the loss of natural resources in Cambodia,” the petition said.

The petitions added that they should monitor the approval of economic concession contracts and licenses and encourage civil society organisations and local communities to join their investigations – to ensure transparency and avoid systematic collusion.

It added that the authorities need to carry out an investigation and release a public report regarding the 211 tonnes of smuggled timber found by the Hong Kong Customs Authority last May.

Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra called the group “political activists operating under the cover of environment and natural resources protectors”. He suggested they stop speaking off the cuff and conduct some real reforestation work to please their donors.

He added that they should be finding solutions to change livelihoods and provide new options for people – as the ministry has been doing – to raise the living standards of the people living around conservation areas, so that they will not continue to rely entirely on natural resources.

“Do not merely issue statements and negative comments. Take some real action – and tell your donors to do the same. Why not actually join the government in its work of protecting natural resources instead of just showing love for conservation on the surface?” he said.

Pheaktra added that the ministry welcomes the participation of any parties, as long as they obey the law and are honest in their cooperation. The ministry has collaborated successfully closely with many associations and NGOs, he said.

“We do not become obsessed with stardom as certain groups do,” he added.

In the Strategy for Carbon Neutrality 2050, Cambodia was committed to cutting deforestation by half by 2030 and stopping it completely by 2045, he said.

In order to achieve the goal of increased forest cover, Cambodia will promote tree planting and improve forest management and reforestation, as well as the full implementation of the REDD + investment plan by 2050.

Pheaktra added that Cambodia currently has more than 8.5 million ha of forest cover, or about 46.86 per cent of the country, of which 41 per cent is under the protection of the ministry.

Cambodia had also sold carbon credits in the international market and used the proceeds to strengthen the management, conservation and development of local communities. The Kingdom was optimistic that it would receive more funding from the sale of carbon credits and sustainable timber.

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

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • 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

  • 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

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument