Cambodia Reinforces Forest Protection with Joint Force Tasking

In Cambodia's Kampong Thom province, a joint force has been assigned the critical task of protecting the nation's valuable forest resources. On August 1, 2026, Major General Saom Sun, Commander of the Kampong Thom Military Operations Area and Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial commission for the prevention, control, and suppression of natural resource crimes, visited and encouraged the joint forces engaged in their duties within the Boeung Pear Wildlife Sanctuary. The visit took place at two forward operating bases located in Sasagram Commune, Prasat Ballangk District. The forces received a report from Mr. Hout To, an environmental official and Deputy Commander of the Jeam Krabey regional forward base, and Mr. Kon Thin, an environmental official stationed at the Phnom Prang regional forward base. The report detailed significant achievements, operational challenges, and specific requests for assistance from the provincial commission and relevant institutions to address ongoing issues. Major General Saom Sun commended the joint forces for their excellent cooperation in fulfilling their duties under the orders of His Excellency Noun Pharat, the Provincial Governor and Chairman of the Provincial Administration Command. He noted that over the past period, the joint forces have diligently worked to prevent, protect, and suppress illegal logging and the encroachment of state forest land for private ownership within the Boeung Pear Wildlife Sanctuary. These efforts have yielded commendable results, with no new illegal logging detected and natural forests gradually regenerating in areas previously subjected to illegal activities. Major General Saom Sun tasked the joint forces to continue their collective efforts in protecting the forest resources within the Boeung Pear Wildlife Sanctuary. He emphasized the need for regular patrols to ensure that no further illegal logging or encroachment of state land for private ownership occurs. Furthermore, he instructed them to effectively manage and protect smaller areas, approximately 3 to 5 hectares, in the Trapaing Tai Yos and Trapaing Kansaeng regions that have recently been illegally logged, to facilitate the regrowth of natural forests for future generations. During the occasion, Major General Saom Sun presented a quantity of food supplies, essential goods, purified water, and fuel, donated by His Excellency Noun Pharat, the Provincial Governor and Chairman of the Provincial Administration Command, to the joint forces at both forward bases. This assistance aims to support their continued efforts in successfully executing their assigned missions.