Tbong Khmum warns against flooded forest encroachment
THE Tbong Khmum Provincial Administration has issued a stern warning against further clearance and encroachment on flooded forest land, declaring legal penalties for those who persist.
This caution follows the administration’s observation of persistent efforts by some individuals to clear flooded forest land, defying authorities at all levels.
In a notice issued on January 28, it directed police forces, specialist departments and district administrations to crack down on offences in the isolated Kroch Chhmar district. Despite these instructions, some people continued their activities.
Underscoring the need to preserve natural resources and biodiversity, the administration asserts that machinery access to the area requires explicit permission from district authorities to prevent further encroachment on state land.
“Residents who have inhabited land since the 1980s, holding certified documents from commune authorities issued before 2018, are permitted to reside. However, any unauthorised clearing of flooded forest land is strictly prohibited,” the notice stated.
The provincial administration now prohibits authorities from granting legal status to additional residents in flooded areas.
Am Sam Ath, operations director at rights group LICADHO, acknowledged the necessity of preventive measures but urged authorities to enforce laws impartially, applying them equally to both ordinary and powerful individuals to avoid public criticism.
“Because flooded forest land is state-owned, the responsibility to care for it falls on all of us. However, civil organisations stress the need for transparency,” he said.
“This implies that if residents are unable to live on flooded land, others won’t be able to either. This prevents authorities from facing accusations of favouring those with connections over those without,” Sam Ath added.
He added that authorities should clearly demarcate boundaries to prevent residents from illegally occupying the land. Additionally, he called for wider dissemination of the notice by the authorities.
Concerning the illegal occupation of public land, provincial authorities convened on January 29 to address instances of encroachment in O’Reang-ou district.
Following the meeting, authorities issued a 15-day ultimatum to intruders, demanding the removal of fences without any conditions or compensation for damages.
Tbong Khmum provincial deputy governor Hok Pichhoh said that failure to comply with the instructions would result in swift legal action. He added that the working group, in collaboration with a provincial court prosecutor and police forces, would pursue prosecution.
“We will conduct inspections and apply the law uniformly to those who construct buildings and encroach on public land or other properties, without exception,” Pichhoh said.