"Group estimates 152 Prey Lang forestry crimes in January", 1 March 2019

A report issued by the Prey Lang Community Network (PLCN) said 152 forestry crimes were committed … in Prey Lang forest’s four provinces – Kampong Thom, Kratie, Preah Vihear and Stung Treng …

Preah Vihear province’s PCLN coordinating committee member Srey Thei told … that crime in the forest had doubled because local authorities do not seem to take action.

Sometimes, he said, the PLCN invited the authorities to join their patrols, but it was told they were too busy. He said the patrol teams had fewer members than the people who actively commit crimes in the area…

“We need to ask for more task forces from the authorities. Our community can’t stop them, because the teams that commit offences are very powerful, and the authorities said they were busy,” he said.

Kheng Kho, a PLCN representative in Stung Treng province, said the figure of 152 forestry crimes was just a preliminary estimate…

Stung Treng provincial environment department deputy director Lay Laro told … that the PLCN report was false.

He said forestry crimes had reduced as a result of cooperation between environment department officers and other NGOs who protect and patrol the area. “Based on our plan, we patrol the area between 20 and 25 days per month,” he said.