Minister Eang Sophalleth during a visit to Pursat province on March 24. MOE
The Ministry of Environment has urged all forces to persist in their efforts to prevent crimes in protected areas, emphasising that this contributes to safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
Environment minister Eang Sophalleth made the statement during a March 24 meeting with the forces responsible for tackling crime and encroachment on forest land and overseeing reforestation in the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Pursat province.
During the gathering, Sophalleth highlighted that the ministry’s park rangers, numbering only 1,200, are tasked with managing protected regions that cover approximately 40 per cent of the country’s total land area, as per the ministry’s social media page.
He also expressed gratitude to the joint forces engaged in curbing crimes, viewing their intervention as a collective effort by people of all genders to protect resources for the next generation.
“In order to ensure effective management of natural resources, we must rigorously adhere to the directives of Prime Minister Hun Manet. The environment ministry has established four measures to ensure 100 per cent law enforcement without exception and to put an end to the practice of signing contracts and releasing perpetrators,” he stated.
Phloek Phirom, coordinator of the Indigenous People Network in Mondulkiri province, endorsed the ministry’s approach and encouragement of such forces.
She believes that for efforts to be successful, there must be dialogue and discussion with the community, especially since many protected areas are guarded by native communities.
“I think the ministry should consult with the indigenous people who are protecting these … areas. They are the guardians and intimately understand the land. I believe that development work, as well as the management of protected areas, would be more effective and contribute to enhancing their livelihoods,” she remarked.
The ministry previously stated that a small number of opportunists were still encroaching on land for personal gain, a practice considered a serious violation of Article 26 of the Law on Protected Areas.
During a meeting with the forces, Sophalleth also stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), in addition to working with local authorities already engaged in these efforts.
At the same time, the minister advocated for increased reforestation and the planting of fruit trees.
He said the goal is to enhance forest cover to over 60 per cent by 2050, thereby generating local economic income while aligning with the ministry’s Circular Strategy on Environment, which focuses on developing green spaces for the benefit of the populace.
