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. ...
