Authorities in Stung Treng province have cracked down on several natural resource offences, taking legal action against offenders and reclaiming illegally occupied state-owned forest land.

The seizure came after forests in Borei O’Svay Sen Chey district’s Preah Romkel commune and Sesan district’s Talat commune in Stung Treng province was cleared and occupied, said Sreng Chea Heng, director of the Stung Treng provincial Department of Environment, on March 22. 

He explained that the people living on the land were a mix of local people and those from other provinces.

He added that provincial environmental officials have been working to prevent the illegal clearing of land for years, but some people were continuing to try to grab land, clear, grow crops and build homes.

“We have to take legal action and reclaim the land for the state – it is part of a protected area. They cannot clear it, under Articles 62 and 63 of the law on natural protected areas,” he explained.

He said the environmental department will repeal any paperwork related to the sale of any land in the banned areas, including illegal ownership certificates. If the occupiers fail to follow the instructions of the department, legal action will be taken, with the offenders sent to court.

In a separate win for the environment, the Ministry of Environment said on March 21 that a joint force has reclaimed 145,585ha of state land in Pursat province. One suspect has been arrested, with an additional three cases currently under investigation.

Farming equipment, firearms and large chainsaws were also seized.

The operation began on March 10, with the local authorities reinforced by a large detachment of military police officers.