Wildlife Alliance has expressed its appreciation for the decision of the Royal Government of Cambodia to cancel development projects at Phnom Tamao Widlife Rescue Centre’s forest area in Bati district, Takeo province.
“Our Beloved people! There are so many calls to the government to preserve the forest around Phnom Tamao Zoo,” Wildlife Alliance quoted as saying Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen who heard these calls and took action; revoking all deals to develop the area around the Centre.
This is a success for all Cambodia and a positive sign of the Royal Government’s commitment to forest protection, it underlined.
On hearing the news, Wildlife Alliance CEO Dr. Suwanna Gauntlett expressed her thanks to Samdech, saying “a big thank you Mr. Hun Sen. I am so happy that the wildlife populations there will keep their home. Thank you for being part of this journey and for using your voice to save the forest and wildlife of Phnom Tamao.”
Similarly Nick Marx, Wildlife Alliance’s Director of Wildlife Rescue and Care expressed his gratitude to Samdech and other key actors. “I really appreciate PM Hun Sen’s order to stop the developer and I also appreciate Leng Navatra Group for complying with PM Hun Sen’s order.”
In a Facebook post yesterday, Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote, “As the highest responsible person of the Royal Government, I would like to issue the following order: 1. Cancel all permissions for exchange and development. 2. The land and forests around Phnom Tamao Zoo are be protected and conserved by the Ministry of Agriculture. 3. The company that cleared the land must stop its activities and replant the trees on the cleared land.”

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press