អង្គការភាពជាដៃគូដើម្បីបរិស្ថាន និងការអភិវឌ្ឍ
Support Our Cause
Save Prey Preah Roka
Save Prey Preah Roka is a campaign which environmental activists work closely with local communities to patrol together, collect evidence to advocate for a strengthened government and monitor law enforcement of local officials to achieve the abolition of deforestation.
Prey Preah Roka Forest is among one of the five protected areas (Prey Lang Forest, KrorVanh Southern Forest, Prey Preah Roka Forest, West Siem Pang Forest, and Veun Sai Forest) which is covering 90,361 hectares are located in Choam Ksan, Chheb and Tbeng Meanchey districts of Preah Vihear province, located in the northern part of Cambodia. Prey Preah Roka Forest has 26 villages around, equal to 15 046 people (7,846 women), most of them are resin takers.
Prey Preah Roka Forest was officially incorporated by the Royal Government on 9th May 2016 according to Decree 75 អនក្រ.បក (OR NOR KROR BOR KOR). Although it’s included as a wildlife sanctuary, but Prey Preah Roka Forest still get suffering and destroying from traders who hire the local communities and immigrants people from Kampot province. Those illegal loggers can earn out about 150 USD per m3 (for sale) and 15 USD/m3 for transporting (transporter). According to Ponlork Khmer reports, Prey Preah Roka Forest is the second largest forest after Prey Lang forest with full of biodiversity of all kinds of wildlife and especially rosewood, Chheur Teal, resin tree etc.
FOREST PATROLLING
Forest patrols are a core activity of PED , which has been implemented in the past. We have worked closely with the Preah Rokar Forest Community Network in Pramer and Mlour Prey Communes, with the participation of rangers from the Preah Rokar Wildlife Sanctuary Office.
The objectives of these forest patrols are to:
-
Prevent forest crimes and monitor forest conditions
-
Gather evidence and provide updates to the public
-
Develop a roadmap of the Preah Rokar Wildlife Sanctuary
-
Strengthen and encourage the participation of the Preah Rokar Forest Community Network
At the end of each patrol, we compile evidence of forest crimes and share it on Facebook and through various local news channels.
GPS Training for local Community
Due to the restriction on community members, activists, CSO and NGOs attending the protected areas since late 2019, PED found the struggling to collect the illegal logging cases. Therefore, PED Cambodia provides capacity building on using GPS to active community members to collect the illegal logging cases instead of us when they go to collect the forest products. Through the providing GPS training to community members, we figure out several important reasons as below:
-
Improved navigation: this is the basic knowledge that can help community members navigate through the forest more effectively and safely.
-
Data collection and analysis: this training can enable community members to accurately collect and record data about forest illegal logging and some potential areas in their forest. This data can be used to advocate for better policy implementation by the Ministry of Environment.
-
Capacity building: Providing GPS training to forest community members can empower them with valuable skills and knowledge, enhancing their ability to participate in forest management and conservation efforts as well as to advocate with relevant ministry calling for practical managements.
Overall, GPS training for forest community members is essential for promoting safety, effective resource management, and sustainable development in forested areas, especially in the protected areas.
Public Campaign
PED works closely with local communities, urban youth, and environmental activists to co-organize public campaigns demanding that the government and local authorities respect environmental rights. We also advocate for local communities, activists, and NGOs to have access to the forest for activities such as patrolling, forest ordination, and monitoring illegal logging.
Additionally, we urge the government to take action to stop deforestation and prevent timber smuggling from Cambodia to neighboring countries.
We have organized both physical and online campaigns through our social media platforms, which have received strong support from the Cambodian people and local media outlets.
