Stop grabbing forest land
The Siem Reap provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries called on citizens to stop stealing forest land belonging to the state. It said village, commune and district authorities should cooperate to protect forest land in the province.
Department director Tea Kimsoth told The Post on Monday that forest land managed by the Forestry Administration and residents in Siem Reap spanned over 30,000ha. The forests have an abundance of high-grade Cambodian timber.
He said the Forestry Administration constantly educates the people but some culprits still take the opportunity during quiet times to log and steal forest land that belongs to state.
“When Forestry Administration officials went to the forest to put up signs banning logging, we discovered land theft and the creation of ownership certificates for state land.
“If we are a little careless, some people will steal the forest land. This invasion is mostly from local people, but there are also some who came to work in Siem Reap many years ago and stole forest land,” said Kimsoth.
Voun Dara
