Forests and forestry

NatureLife Cambodia has announced plans to reforest more than 1,700 hectares of land in Mondulkiri province that was illegally cleared. Their operations will be supported by the Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project. ...

Despite a combination of more than 10 legal complaints landing him in prison for 10 days, Ouk Mao says he not afraid and has not lost his willingness to protect Cambodia’s natural resources. ...

Environmental journalist Uk Mao, an indigenous minority, pledged to continue protecting the forest and exposing illegal logging activities following his release on bail on Sunday — his determination praised by civil society organizations and press freedom groups. ...

The Ministry of Information has criticized non-governmental organizations and press groups for “pursuing their own political agendas”, portraying negative press freedom in Cambodia, in relation to jailed environmental journalist Uk Mao’s case. The ministry claimed that Mao “violated journalistic ethics”. ...

Online journalist Ouk Mao, who reports on environmental issues and illegal deforestation in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary, was charged with incitement and public defamation, the Stung Treng Provincial Court confirmed on May 19. ...

Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth has issued a warning to environmental officials, informing them that any of them found felling trees for use in infrastructure construction in the Phnom Khnang Phsar area will be removed from their positions. ...

An outspoken environmental activist stays resolute in his efforts to raise awareness of environmental issues despite threats of legal action after exposing illegal logging in a protected area in a northern province of Cambodia. ...

Following the recent discovery of forest crimes which took place within protected areas, Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth has reiterated that all provincial departments of the environment ministry must strictly enforce the law to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources in protected zones. ...

A group of analysts and social observers have suggested that a joint on-site investigation is conducted – or that the head of government personally calls for an enquiry – regarding the forest authorities’ dismissal of environmental activist Ma Chettra’s claims to have discovered illegal logging ...

Most forest communities serve as a frontline defence for protecting natural resources by helping prevent crimes and reducing total dependence on forest resources through the development of alternative livelihoods. However, some community members are acting contrary to this mission and are now facing legal consequences. ...

Environmental activists and communities launched a campaign urging the government to revoke a sub-decree that allows a private company to build a cement factory on 99 hectares of protected forest in Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. ...

Around 120,000 mixed-species trees are being planted in the Antung Ang area (better known as “Phnom 1500”) on over 200 hectares of land in Pursat province’s Veal Veng district. ...

Around 4,000 logs of a valuable species of hardwood, classified as a Type 1 luxury timber, were seized by a joint force in Mondulkiri province over four days at the end of April. The logs were illegally felled and removed from a protected natural area. ...

The Ministry of Environment is working with national authorities to identify a group of heavily armed poachers who engaged in an April 5 shootout with rangers in a Mondulkiri wildlife sanctuary. ...

Members of forest communities have expressed growing concerns about the continued loss of Scaphium affine trees, which are felled for their fruit.  Known as Samrong, or malva nut trees, their fruit is widely used in traditional medicine across the region. ...

The presence of at least ten current and future REDD+ projects places Cambodia among the leading countries in the world for REDD+ implementation. In the near future, Cambodia is set to receive $40 million in funding to support its national REDD+ program. ...

The Te Teuk Pus (Hot Water) geothermal site is being developed into a community-protected natural area and nature tourism corridor, adding to the almost 200 community-based conservation sites that the Ministry of Environment manages, across 15 provinces. ...

Five representatives of the Metta Forest Protection Community have asked that criminal charges against them be dismissed by the Kampong Speu Provincial Court. ...

The authorities have doubled down on eviction plans for the remaining holdouts in Pursat province’s Phnom 1500 area, noting that many of their claims of ownership are demonstrably false. ...

The Pursat provincial administration has warned of legal action against individuals who fail to leave the Phnom 1500 eco-tourism site within 15 days, noting that they may face imprisonment for up to 5 years and a fine of up to 500 million riel ($125,000). ...

International Woman’s Day was marked by keen environmentalists in the Kep provincial capital, with 1,000 mangrove seedlings planted. ...

A modified van carrying about 20 cubic metres of luxury hardwood timber – with an estimated value of around $10,000 – was intercepted in Kratie province on March 3, despite being reportedly escorted by another vehicle which aimed to warn the van driver of the ...

Nearly 60,000 mangrove trees have been planted in Koh Kong province since the beginning of last year. Additionally, more than 20,000 saplings are currently being cultivated to support further reforestation efforts, aimed at protecting coastal areas and biodiversity. ...

More than $14,000 had been donated to American-born forest activist Ben Davis as of Monday, February 24, to support his ongoing efforts to protect over 50,000 hectares of forest, particularly from the threat of wildfires during the current dry season. ...