Ratanakkiri provincial authorities have intervened in 116 natural resource crimes in the first half of 2023.
Provincial governor Nhem Sam Oeun is calling for officials to increase patrols within target villages across the province to curb such crimes.
Information shared by the Ratanakkiri Provincial Information Department last week reveals that these violations persist, including hunting, illegal deforestation for plantation purposes, stockpiling sawn wood, and logging to meet local household needs.
The department drew from a provincial committee’s report, saying, “Among 116 cases, we successfully thwarted 515 crimes. These encompassed 23 wildlife crimes, 17 forest crimes, 70 instances of forest land encroachment, four fishing offences and two illicit charcoal kiln setups”.
Over the past six months, the authorities seized an array of items and evidence related to these crimes.
The confiscated items include one CKC weapon, 328 traps, eight chainsaws, two electric shock fishing devices, five manufactured weapons, four modified motorcycles, nines trapping nets, and a pit drilling machine.
Additionally, three wild animals were rescued, 25 banana trees were removed, four coal kilns were dismantled, and five huts were torn down.
The report further indicated that over this period, 78 hectares of forest land had been cleared. Authorities also removed 179 fence posts and confiscated 178 pieces of mixed wood equivalent to 12 cubic metres, as well as one vehicle.
Within the jurisdiction of the local forest administration, the report highlighted a total of 17 cases. Of these, 13 cases were referred to the provincial prosecutor’s office, and three resulted in fines.
Authorities confiscated 790 kilograms of assorted wood, along with 176 pieces equating to 25 cubic metres, 3,320 kilograms of Romiet vine, often used in illicit drug production, four vehicles, and six motorbikes.
Violations involving deforestation impacted an area of 13,605 hectares, leading to the arrest of five individuals.
At the meeting, Sam Oeun called on the provincial committee to continue disseminating the Royal Government’s regulations and directives across villages, communes, and districts.
He emphasised the need to consistently prevent and crack down on forest crimes, deforestation, wildlife hunting, and illegal mining.
According to the provincial information department, the governor also encouraged the committee to maintain proactive research and prevention of forest crimes and other natural resource offenses, comparing the effort to a light rain shower.
He stressed the importance of education, urging local communities to report offenses to protect natural resources.
The governor urged the provincial natural resources crime prevention and suppression committee to continue inspecting companies with sawmills, wood processing handicrafts, and wood depots, who illegally stockpile timber.
Sam Oeun called for continued patrols across Ratanakkiri province and for the committee to strengthen relations with local communities and relevant civil society organisations.
His aim was to increase involvement in preventing and suppressing natural resource crimes, along with educating people to refrain from committing forest crimes, illegal wildlife trafficking, and encroachment on state forest land.
