896 forest crimes exposed in 5 months

Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment has revealed that nearly 900 natural resource offences were uncovered between January and May this year, underscoring the scale of illegal activity threatening forests and wildlife.

Officials said rangers carried out more than 5,300 patrols nationwide, detecting 896 cases. These included 293 forestry crimes, 226 wildlife offences, 242 cases of land encroachment, 126 fisheries violations and nine illegal mining incidents.

Forty‑three suspects were arrested and referred to court, with 68 case files compiled for prosecution. Confiscated items ranged from 228 chainsaws and 18 tractors to 86 homemade firearms, over 1,200 metres of electric snares and more than 11,000 wire traps.

Patrols also revealed widespread encroachment in protected areas. In Boeng Per Wildlife Sanctuary alone, 129 sites covering more than 330 hectares had been cleared and cultivated. Smaller but significant cases were found in Phnom Tnaot–Phnom Pok and Kulen–Promtep sanctuaries.

The ministry stressed that such activities violate Article 851 of the Environment and Natural Resources Code, which prohibits clearing or claiming forest land. Investigations are ongoing to identify those behind the offences.

Authorities emphasised that the crackdown is being coordinated with provincial committees, armed forces, the Anti‑Corruption Unit and local communities to safeguard Cambodia’s 73 protected areas.

The figures highlight both the persistence of offenders and the determination of rangers to protect natural resources. While arrests and prosecutions are rising, the sheer number of cases shows that the fight against illegal logging, poaching and land grabs remains a formidable challenge.

-2026-06-09