Cambodia Holds Lottery for Forest Protection Land Allocation Program

The Cambodian government held a lottery on the afternoon of Monday, July 27, 2026, to select beneficiaries for its land allocation program aimed at forest protection and sustainable development. This program targets 538 families residing in the two communes of Srekor and Samkhuy in Sesan district, Stung Treng province. The lottery event was broadcast live on Cambodia's national television station, TVK, starting from 1:00 PM, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process. The "Land Allocation Program for Sustainable Development through Forest Protection" aims to promote environmental conservation while simultaneously stabilizing and improving the livelihoods of the beneficiary households. By granting participants the right to choose their land plots and housing, the program intends to enhance engagement and contribute to local community development. In Cambodia, rapid economic development has led to challenges such as deforestation and land use issues. Against this backdrop, the government is promoting policies that balance environmental protection with the safeguarding of citizens' rights. This program is positioned as part of those efforts. Specifically, the incentive structure, which offers land in exchange for participation in forest conservation activities, is designed to raise environmental awareness and encourage practical implementation. Source: CEN Cambodia