Cambodia Environment Minister Praises Collaboration with Environmentalists to Strengthen Forest Protection

Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment of Cambodia, expressed his deep gratitude to civil society organizations and environmental activists for their active cooperation with park rangers in combating illegal logging in Kampong Speu province. On July 29, 2026, the Minister stated that this collaboration is a crucial contribution to the protection and conservation of Cambodia's valuable forests and natural resources. The Minister emphasized that the cooperation between Ministry of Environment officials and environmentalists is a key element in fighting natural resource crimes. As a specific example, on the same day, park rangers from the Wildlife Sanctuary Office, in cooperation with Mr. Tan Kim Suor, conducted an operation in Sre Kien village and Long Kem village, Oral district, Kampong Speu province. They confiscated two tractor-trailers carrying 289 pieces of out-of-grade timber (Kamping Douk) totaling 12.3206 cubic meters, which were being transported without permission. The suspects fled, but the seized items were deemed illegal forest product transportation and temporarily stored at the Sre Kien Ranger Station pending legal proceedings. Dr. Eang Sophalleth further encouraged all relevant parties, including communities and environmentalists, to continue strengthening their cooperation and maintaining good relations with park rangers to contribute to the protection and conservation of natural resources for the present and future. This statement from the Minister indicates the Cambodian government's emphasis on cooperation from civil society in addressing the widespread issue of deforestation in the country. Particularly in areas rich in forest resources like Kampong Speu province, on-site information sharing and monitoring activities are considered to play a vital role in complementing the authorities' surveillance capabilities.