PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Environment has reported that authorities carried out 5,953 patrols nationwide during the first half of 2026, leading to the suppression of 967 natural resource-related offences.
The total represents a decrease of 19 cases compared with the same period in 2025, which the ministry said reflected improved public awareness, stronger cooperation among relevant authorities and increased participation by local communities in preventing environmental crimes.
The report, released Friday, July 3, provided a breakdown of the crimes it claims were suppressed.
They included 318 forestry-related cases, 242 hunting offences, 12 illegal mining operations, 262 cases of forest land encroachment and 132 fisheries offences.
During the operations, authorities seized large amounts of evidence, including excavators, motorcycles and other smaller vehicles, as well as five boats and nearly 250 chainsaws.
They also removed thousands of snares and electric trapping devices, and seized 99 firearms, 94 of them homemade.
Environmental officers referred 74 cases to the courts and arrested 44 suspects.
The ministry said the enforcement efforts form part of its Environmental Sector Strategic Framework, which aims to promote a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Cambodia.
It added that it continues to strengthen cooperation with relevant ministries, government agencies, sub-national administrations, armed forces, development partners and local communities to enforce environmental laws, combat forest crimes, conserve biodiversity and respond to global climate change.
Beyond law enforcement, the ministry is also expanding public participation through its “Green Sprouts” campaign, which distributes free tree seedlings to citizens for planting in communities, schools, pagodas, homes and forest restoration sites.
The ministry said it is also working to strengthen public stewardship of Cambodia’s natural resources by encouraging citizens to recognise them as a shared national asset that must be protected for future generations.
At the same time, community livelihood programmes are being developed to create new income opportunities through sustainable development initiatives, green destinations and environmentally sustainable livelihoods. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
