Cambodia Trains Park Rangers on Natural Resource Crime Investigation and Prevention

The General Directorate of Nature Conservation and Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment organized a training course on "Recording, Investigating Natural Resource Crimes, Legal Basis, and Money Laundering Crimes," held at the meeting hall of the Kratie Provincial Department of Environment. The opening ceremony of this training course was presided over by Mr. Suh Sontra, Deputy Director General of the Department of Inspection and Law Enforcement, and Mr. Tiar Phonaray, Deputy Prosecutor of the Kratie Provincial Court, and Mr. Kéa Bou, Director of the Kratie Provincial Department of Environment. Mr. Kéa Bou, Director of the Kratie Provincial Department of Environment, stated that this training course, lasting for three days from August 4th to 6th, 2026, was attended by a total of 40 participants, including leaders, heads of protected area offices, directors of protected areas, and park rangers from the environment departments of seven provinces: Prey Veng, Tbong Khmum, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, and Kampong Thom. He further stated that the training course is organized with the aim of strengthening the capacity and legal knowledge of law enforcement officials at the local level in building case files, collecting evidence, investigating natural resource crimes, and clearly understanding related money laundering offenses to ensure high efficiency in the protection and sustainable conservation of natural resources. It also aims to deepen understanding of judicial procedures and promote in-depth discussions on "legal basis for crimes" so that park rangers clearly understand legal points and court requirements, avoiding false accusations or lack of evidence. It also serves as a platform for exchanging experiences between provinces and opening a forum for officials from the seven provinces (Prey Veng, Tbong Khmum, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, and Kampong Thom) to share techniques, obstacles, and solutions that each province has encountered.