Latest ELC plan draws scepticism

The government’s latest five-year strategy calls for a complete halt to economic land concessions (ELCs) and an inquiry into those still in the pipeline.

But the plan has drawn scepticism from conservationists and rights groups, who pointed out that loopholes have been liberally applied after the issuance of similar moratoriums in the past.

In the directive, issued on Wednesday as part of the five-year plan governing the next mandate, the government vows to strengthen how ELCs are awarded and regulated in order to “eliminate of all kinds of illegal rampant land grabs, prevent the collection of land without use … [and] resolve land disputes with justice and transparency”.

Similarly, it promises to improve crackdowns on forest crimes and put a renewed focus on the protection of forestry resources.

But many said yesterday that they doubted that the announcement – though promising on paper – would entail any true reform. ...

Last year, more than 380,000 hectares of land was granted as ELCs or reclassified from state public to private land (a frequent first step toward an ELC grant). The vast majority of it – 71.5 per cent – was pulled from forests and wildlife sanctuaries that are meant to be protected under the law. ...

 May Titthara
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/latest-elc-plan-draws-scepticism