PHNOM PENH: As forest-related crimes continue to intensify in the north-eastern region during the cool season — most notably in Kratie province — a ranger with more than two decades of fieldwork experience has shared advice with his colleagues at the Ministry of Environment. He stressed that to effectively prevent forest crimes, rangers must clearly understand the geography of the forest and be skilled in using modern technical equipment.
Thon Soukhon, office deputy chief in charge of operations at Veunsai–Siem Pang National Park, posted a photograph of himself carrying a rifle on patrol deep in the forest, along with stern advice for younger rangers.
In the November 29 post, he suggested that the men on patrol needed to toughen up and not be afraid to display some initiative.
“Don’t always say yes, yes to the boss all the time, especially when mistakes are being made,” he said.
“As leaders in protected areas, if you don’t know the geography of your area, how can you lead effectively?” he asked.
He also provided some strategic advice to patrol leaders.
“You should inspect all entry and exit points within the area under your responsibility. The loggers don’t have airplanes — they obviously transport timber by land or water routes. As conservation officers, please stop using excuses like ‘I can’t read maps’, or ‘I can’t reach that location’ or ‘I can’t find the location,” he added.
Recalling his own experience, he noted that when he used to install camera traps deep in the forest, some trips required 10 to 15 nights of walking on foot while carrying 20–25 kilogrammes of equipment per person.
“Team 1 would go install the camera traps; team 2 would go retrieve them. How was this possible? Because of GPS, maps and compasses — these three tools must be mastered before leading teams into the forest. Today, we also have drones, which help us tremendously — so please make sure you use them effectively,” he continued.
He also shared that this coming December marks his 25th anniversary working as an environmental ranger. Thanks to his long experience, he said he has countless lessons — especially those from the “Kantuy Neak” area (the Dragon Tail region).
“Someone once warned me not to confront powerful people. But I believe the law is greater than the loggers. I want to remind all loggers who attempt to destroy natural resources — state property that benefits the nation and the world — don’t be surprised when the ACU (Anti-Corruption Unit) seizes all your assets,” he said.
His message comes as forest crimes in Kratie province have again intensified, with criticism directed at several local officials for failing to cooperate with forestry activists to suppress the transport of illegal timber in Sambor district, where a truck was recently intercepted by a team led by well-known activist Tan Kimsour. Kimsour reportedly called the authorities for assistance, but none was forthcoming.
Soukhon also appealed to local communities living within or near protected areas — especially commune and village authorities — to cooperate in the prevention of forest crimes, in line with the principles of Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth.
“If we don’t enforce the law, our natural resources will not survive,” he warned.
During the November 28 closing ceremony of a workshop on improving the effectiveness of community management of protected areas, Sophalleth stated that protection is fundamental for strengthening and developing protected-area communities so they can become carbon-neutral by 2050.
“Protection is a winning measure under Pillar 2 — the Green Pillar — of the Environmental Sector Strategy. Without the full enforcement of the law, the Kingdom’s eco-tourism development plans — aligned with the recommendations of Prime Minister Hun Manet — cannot be achieved,” he addressed the event.
The ministry reported that there are about 123 green leisure sites registered across Cambodia, 36 of them large-scale investment projects. Twenty-four are already operating successfully. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
