The Ministry of Environment has urged that strict legal action be taken against those whose negligence causes forest fires, noting that such violations are punishable by imprisonment for up to one year and fines reaching 100 million riel ($25,000).

The measure was highlighted in a December 17 notification regarding fire prevention and control during the dry season.

The ministry noted that Cambodia's annual dry season brings extreme heat and arid conditions, making it prone to forest fires. While natural causes can trigger fires, the most alarming concern is human activity.

The primary causes of forest fires during this period include illegal logging, clearing land for agriculture, burning vegetation for farming, illegal encroachment for settlements and careless actions such as leaving fires unattended.

“Each year, forest fires cause the loss of forest resources, flooded forests and biodiversity within protected areas, leading to economic and environmental damage,” said the notice.

To address these challenges, the ministry urged the authorities at all levels, environmental departments and local communities to educate residents on safe fire practices, especially when cooking, burning vegetation or harvesting forest products.

Additionally, the ministry called for additional efforts to prevent illegal logging, land encroachment and burning forests for agricultural expansion, which can spread fires to residential areas, infrastructure and public administrative lands, in or around protected areas. 

In cases where fire is necessary for legal agricultural activities within protected areas, individuals must notify provincial or municipal environment departments to ensure safety standards are met.

The ministry also instructed all relevant authorities to establish firebreaks to prevent the spread of fires and maintain water reserves for emergencies.

Should the use of fire be required to obtain traditional forest products in protected areas, such as when burning a resin pit, the environmental department must advise all stakeholders of the importance of extinguishing fires. They must also record the tree or locations where fire was used.

In addition, preparations must be in place to prevent any such fires from spreading. This includes the maintenance of water reserves, should fire-fighting measures be necessary.

“Under the leadership of the Chairman of the State Land Management Committee at the capital and provincial levels, environment departments must take action against any person who fells or burns down forests, as well as those who occupy land in protected areas, contrary to the laws and regulations set by the government,” the ministry advised. 

Article 849 of Cambodia's Environment and Natural Resources Code stipulates that negligence leading to forest fires in protected areas is punishable by imprisonment from one month to one year and fines between 10 to 100 million riel ($2,500 to $25,000). Article 851 states that intentional forest fires carry heavier penalties, including prison terms of from five to ten years.

Cambodia's protected areas and biodiversity conservation zones cover over 7.2 million hectares, equivalent to more than 40 per cent of the country's total land area.

Neang Vannak, director of the Mondulkiri Provincial Administration, noted that in connection with the problem of wildfires, the provincial authorities conduct regular outreach programmes every year to lower-level administrative armed forces, as well as the people, through various meetings.

“We are ready to cooperate with the ministry on fire prevention and we will continue to preach more widely," he said.

During the 13th MSC Mekong meeting earlier this month, San Vanty, permanent secretary of state at the environment ministry, highlighted the Mekong region's ecological richness, which supports millions of livelihoods but faces increasing threats from forest fires, transboundary haze and climate change.

The UN predicts that severe forest fires will rise globally by 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by 2050 and 50 per cent by the end of the century.