Villagers accuse Mondolkiri company of major deforestation
Mondolkiri provincial villagers on Tuesday accused authorities there of colluding with a development company involved in serious deforestation. The Phnong minority villagers say the wife of the deputy provincial governor owns the company, Villas Development, which is allegedly involved in illegal logging. … The activists spoke Tuesday at the headquarters of the rights group Adhoc, in Phnom Penh. Adhoc says at least 110 forestry activists are currently under threat, through lawsuit, violence or arrest, in the province. Ny Chakrya, Adhoc’s lead monitor, said authorities help the company, and both earn profits from the forest. Villas Development is reportedly owned by the wife of Yoem Luch, Mondolkiri’s deputy governor. The company was granted 718 hectares of land to development rubber in Sokhdom commune, according to Adhoc. Yoem Luch could not be reached for comment. …
Suy Heimkhemra
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/villagers-accuse-mondolkiri-company-of-major-deforestation/1948555.html
