Pailin Province Governor Meets 44 Families Over Illegal Land Grabs in Forest Reserves

In Pailin Province, western Cambodia, on August 5, 2026, Governor Ban Sreymom met with 44 families involved in illegal land occupation within forest reserves. The meeting aimed to find peaceful solutions and prevent further illegal encroachments and destruction of natural resources around Phnom Chruk in Dei Krom Village, O'Ta Vao Commune, Pailin City. Governor Ban Sreymom emphasized that the 7th mandate Cambodian government, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, places high importance on natural resource management and land dispute resolution. She stated that these tasks involve the roles and responsibilities of relevant ministries and institutions in formulating policy frameworks, legal systems, and overseeing implementation for efficiency. She urged sub-national administrations to diligently implement the key principles and measures set forth by the relevant ministries. The Governor instructed residents to immediately cease illegal land encroachment in forest communities, forest cover areas, natural resource protected areas, or conservation areas. She pointed out that attempts to privatize state land under the pretext of land scarcity or for cultivation purposes harm the state's management, conservation, and protection of its land. Furthermore, Governor Ban Sreymom urged local authorities to continue cooperating with the provincial Department of Land Management, Urban Planning, Construction, and Cadastre; the Provincial Department of Environment; the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; and relevant technical agencies to prevent and suppress deforestation, burning, bulldozing, and enclosure of forest communities, forest cover areas, and natural resource protected or conservation areas within their jurisdiction. She warned that any collusion to illegally occupy state land or citizens' land would result in the most severe penalties, with each responsible party fulfilling their duties. The residents listened attentively to this important meeting and agreed that if the state requires the land for development in the future, it will be returned according to appropriate resolutions.