Koh Kong Villagers Trade Logging for Agriculture
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
R 3464 E MB U N SSUE I TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent www.phnompenhpost.com 4000 RIEL Koh Kong villagers trade PHNOM PENH SQUATTERS GET logging for agriculture PLOTS OF LAND Khorn Savi used to live in mountainous areas, He said each family in the communi- incomes and fourth, they are safe. wildlife sanctuaries and natural re- ty had been granted land concessions “In the past, residents were no- TO RELOCATE VER 200 families living in source conservation areas along the measuring 25m by 600m to convert madic rice growers. They went to Koh Kong province’s Stung Prat canal and in the Chi Phat them into village lands and planta- clear forest land to grow rice and lat- NATIONAL – page 5 Sovanna Green Village area. tions. He said the plan was to give the er cleared forests in other places. This Community who used to In 2004, they moved to live at So- villagers new job opportunities. affected natural resources, biodiver- Olog timber and hunt wild animals for vanna Green Village, which is located “This project encourages changes to sity and other wild animals,” he said. a living have now turned to agricul- in Botum Sakor district’s Kandorl the livelihoods of residents and aims Pheaktra made the comments when ture to sustain themselves. commune. The village was an agri- to provide them with steady [jobs]. he led over 20 reporters to inspect Ministry of Environment spokes- cultural development project coordi- First, the lands belong to them. Sec- man Neth Pheaktra said the families nated by the Wildlife Alliance. ond, they have jobs. Third, they have CONTINUED – page 3 RATANAKKIRI Study: Virus PROVINCE posTS immunity $37 MILLION IN may be lost AGRI-EXPORTS BUSINESS – page 6 in months PATIENTS who recover from novel coronavirus infections may lose their immunity to reinfection within months, according to research released on Monday that experts said could have a “significant” influence on how governments manage the pandemic. In the first study of its kind, a team led by researchers from King’s Col- lege London examined the levels of antibodies in more than 90 confirmed MONKEY TRIALS virus patients and how they changed over time. ‘A SUCCESS’, THAI Blood tests showed even individu- als with only mild Covid-19 symp- VACCINE READY TO toms mounted some immune response to the virus. TEST ON HUMANS Of the study group, 60 per cent WORLD – PAGE 11 showed a “potent” viral response in Crack down the first few weeks after infection. Environment ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra (centre) show hand saws seized from loggers. For the last 18 months, However, after three months, only he said the authorities cracked down on 171 cases of land encroachment and sent 87 cases to courts. HENG CHIVOAN STORY > 3 16.7 per cent had maintained high levels of Covid-19-neutralising anti- bodies, and after 90 days several patients had no detectable antibod- ies in their bloodstream. Forest activist ‘beaten’ at forum When the body encounters an exter- nal danger such as a virus, it mobilises Khorn Savi member of the Tampuan indigenous previously accused the people that cells to track down and kill the culprit. group in Sakmotr Kraom village, beat him of stealing state land in col- As it does so, it produces proteins DISABLED FOLKS A FORESTRY activist has claimed Seda commune, in Lumphat district, lusion with the authorities. known as antibodies that are pro- that he was physically attacked and said he was escorted by a family “I am also a citizen and have the right grammed to target the specific anti- PEDAL ON TO RAISE injured at a public forum organised from the provincial hospital to to participate too. I registered to join gen the body is fighting, like a key cut by Lumphat district authorities on Phnom Penh the following day. the forum. The people that beat me are for a particular lock. FUNDS IN CRUSADE July 8 and is now receiving medical Phalla said when he raised his con- people I have been suing since 2017 As long as someone has enough anti- treatment in Phnom Penh. cerns at the forum about the loss of for forest crimes and the sale of state bodies, they will be able to snuff out new AGAINST HUNGER Civil Society officials have requested forests, a group of people beat him forest land . This land has been infections, giving them immunity. a national investigation into the case. until he almost fainted while officials LIFESTYLE – page 13 Forestry activist Chhorn Phalla, a refused to assist him. He said he had CONTINUED – page 2 CONTINUED – page 11 THE PHNOM PENH POST CSOs RECEIVE FUNDING FOR CHRONIC ILLS NATIONAL – page 4 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST july 14, 2020 WWW.phnompenhpost.COM National ‘We call on nat’l level not PM to vet NY holiday dates to believe only reports Khorn Savi ers can run their businesses again and workers will get from local authorities’ HE Ministr y of Econ- salaries before [Pchum Ben], omy and Finance they theorised. Continued from page 1 submitted a letter Pornmoniroth wrote in his to Prime Minister letter that the private sector sold to individuals. THun Sen asking him to for- requested that if factories and “When they beat me, I ran to mally set a five-day national enterprises set a holiday dif- the authorities for help. I went to holiday from August 17-21 to ferent from the above-men- Lumphat district governor Nou make up for the Khmer New tioned dates, they will seek The’s place for help. But when I Year holiday in April that was approval from workers. reached his place, he asked me, postponed. A delay in August tax filing ‘Who asked you to complain?’ Finance minister Aun Porn- until after the holiday is also “I described to him that I moniroth sent the letter on requested, the letter said. complained according to the July 10. Pornmoniroth wrote that law. Later, someone [a resident] The dates were set after a he requested the ministries came to hit me and took away meeting between 10 minis- of Health; Tourism; Public my phone. This time I fell on the ters and representatives from Works and Transport, and lo- ground in front of Nou The.” nearly 10 private institutions cal authorities to cooperate to Phalla said he was able to Activist Chhorn Phalla says he such as the Garment Manu- enforce safety measures. ride a motorcycle back home was beaten by a mob. POLICE facturers Association in Cam- Foreign travellers, includ- and asked his wife to boil tra- bodia (GMAC) and repre- ing investors, business peo- ditional Khmer medicine for he had been beaten up by the sentatives of the Cambodian ple, company staff, traders, him to drink to cure his inter- people and his leg was broken. Tourism Federation (CTF). skilled workers and families nal bruising. Look at his leg, does it look bro- The private institutions re- are required to buy a 20-day Suddenly, he said the police ken? He fled with Pen Bunnar [an quested the August dates be- Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth requests a insurance policy for $90 while and a large group of people Adhoc official] to Phnom Penh.” cause they allow enough time five-day national holiday from August 17-21. HONG MENEA still making a $3,000 deposit. surrounded his house. On July 8, The wrote a letter for factories, especially the On June 16, the government He said he travelled to Phnom to Ratanakkiri provincial gov- garment and footwear ones, ucts from the Everything But uled from September 16-18. decided not to require foreign Penh to treat his injuries ernor Thong Savon stating that to wrap up supply chains and Arms (EBA) scheme. Business leaders hope back- passengers who are diplomats because he suffers from diabe- Phalla had entered the forum export existing goods ordered The dates are also deemed to-back holidays will promote to deposit $3,000 and have tes which is a chronic illness, uninvited and had misrepre- before August 12. appropriate because the the domestic tourism sector be- $50,000 in health insurance. and high blood pressure. After sented the topic. August 12 marks the date Pchum Ben holiday (a festi- cause people can spend twice Diplomats will also receive the doctor gave him an injec- The said Phalla disrupted the European Union will val honouring ancestors) is during separate holidays. treatment free of charge in case tion, he was able to start talking the forum and posted pictures withdraw 20 per cent of prod- one month away and sched- Hotel and guesthouse own- they contract Covid-19. again. But he still has some dif- without permission. When the ficulty walking and his body is authorities tried to stop him, still bruised and swollen. he refused to listen. That’s why Phalla said after the incident, people confiscated his phones, seven other forestry activists The said. living in the commune with However, Adhoc spokesman Wildlife Alliance lauded for patrols him escaped from their hous- Soeung Sen Karuna said es to hide in the provinces according to people who Khouth Sophak Chakrya filed 204 legal complaints, dum on their cooperation to offences and protecting natural because they were scared of attended the forum and asked issued 277 fines and sent 87 protect 1.5 million hectares of resources and biodiversity. being beaten as well. to remain anonymous, Phalla THE Ministry of Environment cases to courts. conservation areas in the Car- “This is honest and fruitful Kham Lork, a forestry activist was indeed beaten up.