Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday cancelled a controversial satellite-city development around a wildlife sanctuary and zoo near the capital following growing online appeals to halt the project.
Conservationists and locals began voicing their concerns and objections when the development plan around the Phnom Tamao zoo and wildlife rescue centre came to light several months ago.
Developers last week started razing privatised areas around the more than 2,000ha Phnom Tamao forest area, an hour’s drive from capital Phnom Penh, and home to many rare and endangered wildlife including sambar deer at the zoo.