Home About Us The Problem Projects Self Help Achievements Cambodia Gallery Support Us Contact Us Thank Yous	Call for Deforestation Stop "Bae Khmoch Srok Min Ouy Dai – Khmoch Prey Min Hean Chol". It is an old Khmer proverb, familiar to the people of the Battambang Province. Literally translated, it means "If the spirit inside the house does not open the gate, the spirit outside cannot come in". Sadly, illegal logging and timber trading businesses still continue in the Battambang Province, despite strict law enforcement. It is known that a number of highly placed government officials in this province, especially in the military, bribe the local residents to allow such uncontrolled, illegal activities within their areas. These corrupt authorities then give the green light to smugglers, who destroy magnificent trees, strip areas bare and, on a large scale, extract valuable natural resources from the protected Samlaut Conservation Site. These officials include experienced departmental staff, local civil police and the military. They use every opportunity to line their pockets, without consideration for the long-term negative impact that their actions will have on their children, community, country, and the entire world. In a recent statement to the Cambodian people, the Prime Minister, Mr. Hun Sen, declared that any group or individual that causes deforestation or environmental damage will be prosecuted, per his instruction, regardless of their authority or position in society. In fact, the Forest Management Law is already in place and yet the illegal logging continues. Every day you can see dozens of trucks, pick-up vehicles and heavy semi-trailers going into the town of Battambang, fully loaded with fine timber. From there it is distributed to neighbouring provinces and countries such as Thailand, without the slightest intervention from any of the responsible entities. There is a noticeable increase in new craft shops, furniture stalls, heavy souvenir shops and prestige carpentry workshops. Countless of these shops are found along street Nº 1 and the main street junctions of the city of Battambang. Here it seems normal for furniture to be unloaded from trucks, lorries and trailers and to be publicly displayed for sale. On the other hand, if ordinary, poor peasants collect wood for stove fuel or to build their tiny shelters, the local police restricts or even refuse permission for them to do so. Therefore, it is time to call for the end of illegal logging activities. The deforestation is not only destroying the trees, but it leads to the destruction of our natural environment. The resulting impact of the damage will affect our lives (you and me), the lives of our children and eventually cause an imbalance that will have a devastating effect on our country, and eventually on the entire world.         Click to enlarge Back     Home
Help and Hope to the Vulnerable Cambodian Vision in Development Battambang, Cambodia