Thousands drawn to Prey Lang

11 April 2013
The Phnom Penh Post
Environment and natural resources / Environmental and biodiversity protection / Forest classifications / Forest products / Forests and forestry / Land / Logging and timber / Protected areas / Protected forest
Boeung Lvear / Boeung Lvear commune chief Pen Noeun / Community representative Menh Ny / Hun Sen / illegal logging / Kampong Cham / Kampong Thom / Kampong Thom forest administration department / kratie / Menh Ny / Ouch Sam On / Prek Brosop district / Prey Lang Forest / Prey Veng / Prime Minister Hun Sen / Sam No / Santouk district / Svay Rieng / Takeo / Teb Nhata

More than 10,000 families have poured into an area of Prey Lang forest in Kampong Thom province since January, clearing 20,000 hectares of trees to sell as luxury timber and building houses, Prey Lang Community Network members claimed yesterday. ... Many are believed to be from Kampong Cham, Kratie, Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng and Takeo provinces. ... Ouch Sam On, Kampong Thom deputy governor, said the number of families who had migrated to the forest was nowhere near 10,000 and the area they had logged was at the edge of Prey Lang rather than in it. ... A sub-decree in 2011 established Prey Lang as a protected conservation, forbidding clearing of the forest for private ownership. ...

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013041165034/National/thousands-drawn-to-prey-lang.html