Phnom Penh: Park officials of the Cardamom Mountains Forest Protection Program Project collaborated with the provincial departments of environment of Pursat, Battambang, Koh Kong, Sihanoukville and Kampong Speu, which are geographically adjacent to the Cardamom Mountains National Park, officers of the Royal Cambodian Military Police, local authorities and staff of the Wildlife Alliance, conducted 84 patrols and suppressed 20 cases of natural resource crimes in May 2026. Among the crimes that were suppressed were 13 cases of forestry crimes, 6 cases of wildlife crimes, and 1 case of illegal logging.
In the above operation, the team completed 17 criminal records and filed criminal cases (criminal cases) Sent to the Provincial Department of Environment to proceed to court in 1 case. During the same period, the team seized evidence and stored it at the patrol station, the narrow passage and the patrol station, including 16 rifles, 5 modified guns, 10 animal cages, 10 rubber tents, and dismantled 10 rubber tent camps and released 1 female gray rhinoceros.
Please note that in May 2026, park rangers collaborated with relevant authorities, organizations, partners, development partners, and citizens in protected area communities across the country to conduct 1,290 patrols and crack down on 178 natural resource crimes. Of these, 65 were forest crimes, as well as wildlife crimes and other crimes.
At the same time, park rangers continued to conduct regular patrols within their jurisdiction, in 73 protected areas covering 41% of the country’s land area. In order to enforce the law to protect and conserve natural resources and the sustainable livelihood of citizens, the Ministry of Environment has continued to strengthen legal measures, with no exceptions for offenders who destroy natural resources.
In the first five months of 2026, the Ministry of Environment cracked down on 896 cases of natural resource crimes nationwide. A total of 43 perpetrators were arrested and sent to the judiciary for legal action.
