Indigenous communities say authorities collude with loggers
Indigenous villagers in Mondolkiri province say relevant authorities that are supposed to crack down on forestry crimes instead collude with logging companies and powerful businessmen, allowing them cut down trees. That has put their forest tribal traditions and livelihoods, which are dependent on forests, in jeopardy, villagers here in Srea Preah commune, Keo Seima district, say. … Mondolkiri is one of the last heavily forested provinces in Cambodia, and it is here where most indigenous tribes live. They depend of the forest, harvesting honey or vines, leaves or resin, to make a living. That existence is in jeopardy in many parts of the province, though, where rubber plantations and other development has moved in, accompanied by logging, legal and otherwise. Villagers say police and forestry officials turn a blind eye to illegal logging by companies with powerful businessmen behind them. … Yim Lux, vice governor of the province, said some companies have the right to log. “They are authorized by the government, so they are not wrong,” he said. “But when you people go and log without authorization, that’s illegal.” … Saro Ratana, deputy chief of the provincial office for the Ministry of Agriculture’s forestry administration, denied he or his officials take bribes from companies. “If any of my officials are involved and you have evidence, please report to me, and I’ll take administrative measures against them,” he said. …
