In the first 10 months of 2026, provincial environment departments, with the full cooperation and support of provincial unified command committees, relevant agencies and all branches of the armed forces, prevented and cracked down on a total of 1,906 natural resource offences. Comparative data show that offences in protected areas declined by 29 cases from the same period in 2025.
According to the Ministry of Environment, the offences included 636 forestry cases, 535 wildlife cases, 450 cases involving illegal clearing and encroachment on forest land, 239 fishing cases and 46 mineral resource cases. The teams also compiled and referred 118 case files to the courts and detained and sent 79 suspects to court for strict handling under the legal procedures of the Environment and Natural Resources Code.
Ministry of Environment spokesperson Khvay Atitya said Cambodia’s campaigns to strengthen law enforcement and protect its natural assets were producing positive results. These encouraging signs showed that the continuous increase in patrols by park rangers and joint forces in protected areas, together with efforts to raise awareness of the harm caused by forest and wildlife destruction, was bearing fruit.
He added that these achievements in preventing offences were inseparable from smooth cooperation between park rangers, representatives of ministries and institutions, local administrations at all levels, partner organisations, associations, civil society organisations, the armed forces and residents of communities in protected areas. By: Srey Pi
