PHNOM PENH: A large charcoal kiln operation in Kratie province which environmental activist Tan Kimsour claimed is producing charcoal for export to Vietnam had not been subject to any action by the relevant authorities as of Tuesday (Dec 2), despite an on-site inspection being carried out.
Chheng Kimchub, deputy governor of Sambor district, explained that local authorities joined a working group from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to inspect the site on Nov 30.
The visit followed a social media post by Kimsour, which detailed the large-scale charcoal operation, located in Yeav village, Kampong Cham commune, Sambor district, in a remote area near a rubber plantation company called Chhun Hong.
“There are two large kilns at the site. When we visited, we did not meet the owner. We asked the village chief, who said the owner was busy attending a relative’s wedding. We met with the working group to discuss the next procedural steps. For now, a ministry technical team is considering the case,” Kimchub explained.
He claimed that he did not remember the name of the official who led the working group during the inspection.
“We are not doing this to seek victory. We want a result that benefits everyone. If we aim for victory, someone wins and someone loses. But if we aim for success, we all win. So we are waiting to hear the working group’s decision,” he added.
Kimsour recently referred to the structures as “giant charcoal kilns”, calling them part of the ongoing destruction of Cambodia’s forests. He estimated that this single operation could consume around 60 cubic metres of wood per month, and that many similar large kilns exist throughout Kratie province.
“Charcoal production is not only for local consumption. I am convinced that domestic demand is not that high. Most of the charcoal produced in Kratie is for export, mainly to Vietnam,” he said.
Kimchub noted that after the site inspection, the working group held a meeting on the issue with the provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Try Sopheak, director of the provincial department, could not be reached for comment. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
