Phnom penh: Cambodia's Ministry of Environment reported the suppression of over 2,100 natural resource crimes nationwide in 2025. This effort is part of enhanced enforcement and collaboration across agencies to safeguard forests, wildlife, and protected areas.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, park rangers conducted 16,261 patrols in protected areas throughout the year, leading to the identification and suppression of 2,152 violations. These violations included 751 forestry-related incidents, 737 wildlife crimes, 334 encroachments on state land, 322 illegal fishing cases, and 15 cases involving mineral resources.
Judicial police from the ministry prepared 133 case files for court proceedings and referred 95 suspects to judicial authorities. Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya highlighted an increase of 1,855 patrol operations in 2025 compared to the previous year, while the number of detected offences decreased by 393 cases, suggesting enhanced deterrence.
In comparison, 2024 saw park rangers conducting 14,406 patrols and recording 2,545 natural resource crimes, including 752 forestry cases, 700 wildlife offences, 754 land encroachments, 327 illegal fishing instances, and 12 mineral resource violations. That year, authorities forwarded 235 cases and 98 suspects to the courts.
The reduction in violations reflects ongoing efforts by the ministry's leadership and rangers, in collaboration with relevant ministries, provincial and local authorities, armed forces, the Anti-Corruption Unit, prosecutors, civil society partners, and local communities. These collective efforts have reinforced the enforcement of environmental and natural resource laws to ensure long-term conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
The crackdown aligns with Cambodia's national strategy and directives from Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet on improving natural resource governance. Environment Minister H.E. Eang Sophalleth has advocated for the implementation of the 'Environmental Sector Circular Strategy,' with a focus on expanding tree planting, strengthening the management of protected areas, and enhancing livelihoods in conservation communities.
Over the past two years, the ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to natural resource crimes, improving rapid-response capabilities and targeted interventions in protected areas. Authorities have also increased the use of satellite imagery, mapping technology, and drones to monitor suspected deforestation hotspots, sharing data with provincial administrations, national enforcement bodies, and security forces to facilitate timely legal action under environmental laws.