Banteay Meanchey: The encroachment of the Tonle Sap lake was discovered vast with over 5000 hectares compromised.

Minister of Land Management Chea Sophara has met with Banteay Meanchey provincial leaders to take action to stop further encroachment of the flooded forest area in the Tonle Sap area, to try and rectify the damage already done.

Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province Oum Reatrey has responded to the outcry and said that the Royal Government has issued Sub-Decree No. 197 to establish floodplain forests in three provinces adjacent to the Tonle Sap Lake and land in three areas with an area of 12,279 hectares.

An order of Prime Minister Hun Sen demands a suppression of the encroachment on flooded forest land in the area, and Minister Chea Sophara has responded that there are 802 guard points to preserve the area.

The team encharged has been detailed to inspect the flooded forest area and that an assessment is underway to see the extent of any other encroachment.

The Minister has confirmed that the flooded forest must be confiscated as state property and the crackdown must be strengthened to prevent the encroachment on the flooded forest land to prevent further encroachment.