Deforestation remains a major threat to Cambodia’s forests due to illegal logging, and as a consequence the country is now facing threats to the local economy, food security, and biodiversity. However, a group of Buddhist monks and activists are working together to protect the forests, integrating Buddhist principles with environmental awareness.
In addition to their regular forest patrols, monks and activists led by Venerable Own Long recently held a Buddhist ceremony in Prey Lang, Cambodia’s largest and oldest evergreen woodland. During the ceremony they wrapped trees in the saffron cloth used to make robes for monks, in the hope that loggers themselves might be Buddhists and therefore think twice about felling the trees. According to Radio Free Asia, the group clothed at least 40 trees.
