A forest peoples' network has appealed to tycoon Try Pheap to issue a written commitment to put a halt to his companies’ deforestation activities after he told the Post last week that his logging days are over.

A statement from the Prey Lang Community Network, released yesterday, called on Pheap to lead by example and end all logging operations.

“Over the past 20 years, Cambodia’s forests have been used by the powerful and businesspeople under the guise of [economic land concessions], which has seriously affected communities and the environment,” the statement reads.

The group also called on Pheap to share some of the profits his timber businesses made over the years by investing in forest restoration and environmental projects.

Seng Sok Heng, a PLCN representative, said if the tycoon was serious about stopping deforestation, the move would come just in the nick of time.

“People across four provinces are very worried about deforestation in Prey Lang, because no authorities come to protect it,” he said.

Pheap and his representatives could not be reached yesterday. On Sunday, he said he had ended all logging operations.