The government has transferred the governors of three districts in Kampong Chhnang province where tens of thousands of hectares of Tonle Sap Lake flooded forests and wetlands were lost to illegal encroachment.

The provincial administration has claimed that the transfer has nothing to do with the encroachment cases, which have seen a number of senior officials landing in court for their involvement. At least two police officials have already landed in pre-trial detention and face multiple charges related to encroachment activity in at least one of those districts.

According to a sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen on December 22, Boribor district governor Yim Sarin and Cholkiri district governor Hay Monorom are transferred to other posts within the provincial administration, while the Kampong Leng district governor retired from office due to his age.

“Cheng Chan Chouna is appointed Boribor district governor, Yem Leakna is appointed Kampong Leng district governor and Chouv Kimsin is appointed Cholkiri district governor,” the same sub-decree states.

Provincial governor Sun Sovannarith told The Post on December 23 that the transfer of the two officials was in line with standard administrative procedures as they had reached the ends of their terms and one of them was past retirement age.

“It has nothing to do with the management of the Tonle Sap Lake. One of them reached retirement age and two of them ended their terms. So they’ve been transferred back to administrative jobs as per procedures,” he said.

Sovannarith added that as of December 23, Kampong Chhnang province has reclaimed more than 30,000ha of flooded forest land in three regions, with more than 7,000 families volunteering to return the land.

He said the provincial hall will continue to reforest the land, adding that over 20,000ha of flooded forest land that was cleared by encroachers has now been replanted with thousands of new trees.

Kong Chanmony, provincial coordinator for rights group Licadho, said he was not aware of the reasons for the transfer.

Chanmony praised the provincial administration and the government for taking effective action to reclaim the flooded forests around the Tonle Sap Lake and put a stop to this activity.

“The authorities have shown that they have the ability to take action to protect these areas by reclaiming all the land for public use. Preservation of the lake’s wetlands is crucial for maintaining its biodiversity. Fishing generates income for many Cambodians and fish are a vital part of the food supply for the entire nation,” he said.