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Prey Lang is the last large primary forest of its
kind on the Indochinese peninsula. The rainforest provides food and
water for hundreds of thousands of people and endangered species, plus
livelihoods for residents, yet it is now in serious danger.
There are as many as 50 endangered species in the
rainforest, which is also a powerhouse to fight climate change. But
despite this, as in so many countries these days, private companies are
being allowed to destroy forests to create, in this case, rubber plantations.
Cambodian human rights organization LICADHO has documented the
acquisition of concessions to a total of 3.9 million hectares of land,
which is more than 22% of Cambodia’s total area, by private companies.
In the Kuy language, Prey Lang means “our forest.” 200,000 inhabitants,
who are mainly members of the indigenous Kuy people, depend on the Prey
Lang forest for their livelihood.
Prum Lom of the village of Spong says, “We rely on it for our
livelihoods. We survive by using and selling the forest’s products:
rattan, tree resin, fruit, game and medicinal plants.”
A resident of the village of Stung Treng, 56-year-old grandmother Vong Phan, says, “Too many forests have already disappeared.”
“We cannot afford to lose another one – especially not one as important
as Prey Lang,” she added, expressing the feelings of most residents in
the area.
Besides the destruction of the rainforest land, other crimes are being committed. Chut Wutty,
who was the founder of the Prey Lang Network, and an activist, worked
tirelessly to gather evidence and raise awareness of the crimes.
However, he was shot by a military policeman in 2012, after refusing to
surrender his pictures of illegal loggers. He was documenting the
clearing of forests in the Cardamom Mountains with two journalists.
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The military and other authorities are deeply implicated in the land
grabs and plundering of natural resources. Draft legislation to protect
Prey Lang has already been drawn up, but it has yet to be ratified by
the government.
Prey Lang covers some 360,000 hectares and is the last major lowland rainforest on the Southeast Asian mainland.
The rainforest has diverse ecosystems, which are home to many Red List
animal and plant species. These species include elephants, clouded leopards, Siamese crocodiles and pileated gibbons.
Also the trees, which consist of rosewood, meranti and balau, are
being downed. These woods are in worldwide demand for flooring
materials and garden furniture.
The indigenous peoples of Prey Lang are standing their ground and refuse
to tolerate the brutal expulsion from their lands, and the destruction
of their livelihoods. Along with the Prey Lang network, numerous
communities have formed a network under the auspices of the Natural Resource Protection Group (NRPG). Activists in the group are organizing petitions and protests, and sending our patrols to stop illegal lumberjacks.
However, they could use some help. The rape and destruction of
rainforests all over Asia must be stopped before thousands of endangered
species are lost forever and more people are displaced from their homes
and livelihoods.
Rainforest Rescue is asking people to assist by please signing their petition,
which will be address to various ministers in the country: Mr. Hun Sen,
Prime Minister, Cambodia Chan Sarun, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture
Forest and Fisheries, Cambodia Suy Sen, Minister, Ministry of Industry,
mines and energy, Cambodia Mok Mareth, Minister, Ministry of
Environment, Cambodia.
This opinion article was
written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed
herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to
reflect those of DigitalJournal.com
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