Background
The Ministry of Environment operates protected-area offices that conduct field patrols and targeted enforcement to detect and remove illegally harvested timber inside wildlife sanctuaries. Seized timber and associated equipment are held at sanctuary headquarters as evidence while sanctuary staff assemble case files under Cambodia’s legal procedures.
Protected-area enforcement in Cambodia combines routine patrols with temporary concentrated operations to interdict organized extraction and transport of forest products. In Mondulkiri province, enforced actions in wildlife sanctuaries are part of the Ministry’s broader land and forest governance system that links local sanctuary offices, evidence custody, and formal legal follow-up.
Key Developments
From 1 to 8 June 2026, the Phnum Preah-Lomphat (Phnom Preach-Lomphat) Wildlife Sanctuary office in Kaoh Nhek district led an eight-day enforcement operation. The operation was led by Din Bunthach, head of the sanctuary office based in Chiklab village, Soksan commune.
On 1 June officers encountered a group of 11 suspected loggers moving timber on four motorcycles near the Duar Jeav point along Road 77; suspects abandoned felled logs and fled toward the central marsh area (recorded coordinates 707247, 1431024). Patrol teams later located three motorcycles hidden in forested areas (coordinates 712723, 1436948) and recovered one unlicensed white Wave motorcycle left at the scene.
Over the operation period sanctuary teams seized a total of 150 logs of Sokram (local name recorded in the report) with a reported aggregate volume of 4,361 cubic meters, plus multiple chainsaws and motorcycles. Transport setbacks at an iron-bridge checkpoint delayed movement, but all seized timber was delivered to the sanctuary central office by 4 June 2026.
Institutional Role
Local sanctuary offices function as the operational arm of the Ministry of Environment for on-the-ground forest protection and evidence management. These offices coordinate patrol strength, document incidents with location references, and maintain custody of seized items pending transfer to judicial authorities.
Operational Implications
The operation demonstrated logistical challenges in moving large timber seizures from remote forest locations to headquarters, including damaged transport infrastructure at checkpoint points. Sanctuary staff recorded and measured seized timber on site and are preparing legal case files in line with procedural requirements.
Source
Ministry of Environment Facebook post (Phnom Preah-Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary operational report), published 10 June 2026: https://www.facebook.com/MinistryOfEnvironmentCambodia/posts/pfbid0Tq3Wdii6FqEUc4Gh9PUEKeQfyUREgLkTeAFqFECpUAjAVhHtUUcLioykRAfALZtal
