Activists call on government to adopt forest law
Members of the Prey Lang Community Network yesterday called on the government to approve a forest preservation sub-decree that has been in draft form since 2011. Hoeun Sopheap, representative of the Kampong Thom provincial Prey Lang community, said the sub-decree would help protect the biodiversity of the forest – which stretches across four provinces – and reduce criminal activity in the area by encouraging cooperative patrols. “As far as crime goes, it’s become like anarchy in Prey Lang,” he said at a press conference held at the offices of the NGO Forum on Cambodia in the capital yesterday. … Phoeun, however, said the villagers were concerned about one article in the sub-decree that would outlaw types of foraging in the forest that they depend on for their livelihoods. “We ask [authorities] to please delete this point… it will have an effect on our daily lives.” … The Prey Lang communities also called for the government to reveal the details of economic land concessions, recognise the community network and delete various business licences issued in the area. …
