Mondul Kiri Province: Nearly 6,000 Hectares of Precious forest in Koh Nek District, Mondul Kiri Province have been destroyed. Indigenous groups say ethnic Khmers have invaded land to take as their own, while provincial authorities seem unwilling to take action against the massive deforestation activity in the area. It is possible authorities have their own interests invested in them.
Environmental watchdogs have said that since 2015, the Blue Forest in Koh Nek district has been destroyed and burned down to take possession of the land,in the area, which was once a jungle, was rich in large trees and wildlife. Much of the species have gone and the area has become a desert during this time.
People living in Rokar commune, Koh Nhek district said that , since early December 2017, a person named Keo Vuthy, has been bringing people from distant provinces such as Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Svay Rieng, Kratie, Pursat, and Pursat to go to the forest to claim the land. The source said that Keo Vuthy has been actively campaigning for the poor from these provinces to cut down the forest in the area for years. Eventually Mondulkiri provincial police arrested him and sent him to the provincial court and bankruptcy court, where he served prison time.
The source said that after leaving prison, Keo Vuthy suspended a series of activities, but recently, Keo Vuthy is active again, this with many more powerful friends.
Thousands of hectares of state forest land in Koh Nhek district have been cut down for personal reasons. Irregularities have been linked to local authorities in a systematic collusion between the border guards and local authorities.
More details will be available on Koh Santepheap Daily.
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