Campaigning for an end to illegal logging in their community forest, villagers in Kompong Chhnang province over three days stopped dozens of trucks—allegedly transporting illegally logged wood—and “educated” the drivers, according to local authorities.
Between Thursday and Saturday, 75 residents of Chieb commune, located near the Phnom Oral Wildlife Sanctuary, joined together to block provincial roads in 16 locations, stopping 118 trucks, said Uk Phat, a representative of the villagers.
“During those three days, we stopped more than 100 modified trucks that were carrying wood,” Mr. Phay said.
“We…educated the drivers so that they would not continue to log the forest,” he said, adding that most of the trucks stopped were carrying wood, luxury wood, and charcoal.
The community forest in Chieb commune covers about 3,000 hectares.
Poeu Bunthan, director of the Kompong Chhnang provincial environment department, said that preventing illegal logging is difficult because there are not enough officials to patrol the entire area.
“We called our officials and informed them about protecting the forest. If our officials committed any crimes, they will be sacked,” he said.
