Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 17 – The Royal Government of Cambodia seized back more than 40,000 hectares of flooded forest lands in six provinces surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake after three weeks of field inspection by authorities, according to the report of Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

On 16 December 2021, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) decided to detain brigadier general Su Socheat, deputy commissioner of Kampong Chhnang Province, and lieutenant colonel Keo Narun, director of the Intervention Office of the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Police, over illegal occupation of flooded forests.

On 28 November 2021, the premier ordered relevant authorities to crack down illegal logging and land grabbing along the Tonle Sap Lake, especially in Kampong Chhnang province.

Immediately after the premier’s order, land management minister Chea Sophara set up a working group to conduct further study and inspect the flooded forest areas in the six provinces.
=FRESH NEWS