Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Officials suspect arson by hunters in sanctuary fire

Officials suspect arson by hunters in sanctuary fire

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Wildfire in Russey Treb Park in Preah Vihear province in January of last year. SOK TOUCH VIA FB

Officials suspect arson by hunters in sanctuary fire

Environment officials and authorities in Preah Vihear province are investigating a wildfire in the Phnom Tnaot-Phnom Pok Wildlife Sanctuary that damaged more than 4,000ha of forest in recent days, said officials on March 6.

Benjamin Joseph Davis, an American environmentalist better known as Ben who is based in the Phnom Tnaot-Phnom Pok Wildlife Sanctuary, said the wildfire had been caused by people collecting either legal or illegal items like wild honey, resin, medicinal plants and turtles over a week ago.

Ben, who has been granted Cambodian citizenship for his contribution to wildlife protection in the province, said they were careless about the fire they were using, causing it to spread to more than 4,000ha of forest.

“Although the fire did not leave people or any large wild animals dead, it severely destroyed forest resources and biodiversity. In particular, it burned down thousands of rosewood trees planted together by the community over the past few years,” he said.

Due to the dry season and the lack of dew at night, many grasses and young plants have withered, making them easier to catch spark and burn.

“But what our team is very concerned about right now is poaching by illegal wildlife hunters,” he added.

Ben continued that he is now cooperating with rangers and authorities to investigate before taking legal action, while deploying forces at a number of key targets in the sanctuary to monitor and suppress potential wildlife crimes as many wild animals are frightened and fled the wildfires to safety.

However, he said that the search for the perpetrators has not turned up any clues so far, though relevant officials are continuing to research and disseminate the circular on wildfire prevention.

Neither provincial environment department director Song Chan Socheat nor his deputy Meas Nhem could be reached for comment on March 6.

However, Sok Santara, Preah Vihear deputy governor in charge of natural resource development and the environment, said the provincial administration had sent forces to cooperate with Ben and park rangers to investigate the case while continuing to educate the locals about forest fire prevention.

“At this time, our law enforcement forces are doing this work quietly. We believe that in the case of this wildfire, in addition to setting the fire to get wild honey [smoke confuses the honey bees, allowing for harvesting] there are some criminals who may have intentionally burned the forest to catch illegal wildlife,” he said.

He added that anyone who intentionally caused a wild fire should be punished for a first-degree forestry crime or a first-degree fisheries offence, which can carry a sentence of three to five years in prison or five to 10 years.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the