Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - NGO releases ELC figures to help with ‘shortcomings’

NGO releases ELC figures to help with ‘shortcomings’

Timber that was allegedly illegally logged sits inside an ELC belonging to tycoon Try Pheap in Kampong Thom province in 2013. Photo supplied
Timber that was allegedly illegally logged sits inside an ELC belonging to tycoon Try Pheap in Kampong Thom province in 2013. Photo supplied

NGO releases ELC figures to help with ‘shortcomings’

The NGO Forum yesterday released an extensive and updated accounting of economic land concessions (ELCs) in the Kingdom, suggesting that in a 20-year period, 267 ELCs totalling 1,532,783 hectares were granted.

In a statement announcing the data’s release, the NGO Forum said it had been compiled in hopes the government could use it to address “shortcomings” in the ELC process.

The data collection, from 1995 to the end of 2015, was conducted by the Research Advocacy and Communication Centre, and found that land disputes arising from ELCs had affected 35,000 families in Cambodia, with most of the ELCs found in Kratie province.

NGO Forum executive director Tek Vannara said ELC holders did not respect the rights of people, including ethnic minorities and their traditions.

“Overall, the development and poverty reduction strategies by offering the economic land concessions seem not to respond completely to the demand of the ethnic minorities and their livelihoods,” he said.

Vannara urged the government to evaluate ELCs and develop a map to categorise the types of land in order to reduce the number of land disputes. In 2015, the government evaluated 162 companies and reduced the size of 78 ELCs, the study found.

However, Sy Ramony, an official with the Ministry of Environment, maintained the data was not accurate yesterday because it didn’t reflect recent changes.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm