Prey Lang ELCs rejected
In a rare victory for those battling to preserve Prey Lang forest, the government has cancelled four economic land concessions in the area totalling more than 40,000 hectares that threatened pristine ecosystems. Another 3,200 hectare ELC in Koh Kong province has also been cancelled, while two more in Kratie province and one in Mondulkiri province totalling 30,000 hectares have been restricted, according to an unofficial translation of a letter from the Council of Ministers to relevant ministries obtained by the Post. … Aphiwat Kaosou Co Ltd, Aphiwat Kaosou (I) Co Ltd, Aphiwat Kaosou (II) Co Ltd and PVP International Trading had all lost their ELCs in Prey Lang, which had been granted, though the firms had yet to sign a contract with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. … The firms are forbidden from clearing 85 per cent of their ELCs that has been deemed evergreen or semi-evergreen forest. …
