Ministry to Recruit 300 More Rangers

[geovalin]

The Environment Ministry has started it’s process of recruiting 300 new forest rangers to work in select provinces next year in a bid to fill staff shortages and reduce deforestation. Ministry spokesperson Sao Sopheap said yesterday that the existing 960-strong ranger workforce was insufficient to guard all of the country’s protected areas, especially in light of recent requests by civil society groups that the ministry dedicate more resources to prevent forestry crimes.
 

“At the forum on the protection and conservation of natural resources in August, presided over by the head of government, the ministry raised the issue of the lack of forest rangers, which made the government decide to hire 300 more rangers,” Mr. Sopheap said. “We began organizing the recruitment process once we received the guidelines,” he added.
 

Beyond expanding the workforce, the ministry, according to Mr. Sopheap, is also working on increasing the salaries of rangers, who now earn a monthly wage of 400,000 riel (about $100), as well as to have the 960 contract rangers be categorized as civil servants and be entitled to the same perks. In the announcement released last Thursday, the ministry was looking to hire rangers to work in Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampot, Kep, Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Tbong Khmum, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Banteay Meanchey and Kratie provinces.

 

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