PHNOM PENH — Civil society groups are calling for a thorough, independent investigation into reported forest crimes in Prey Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary, urging authorities to stop politicizing the issue amid growing public concern over official denials and legal threats.

On May 12, the indigenous Kuy community from Prame commune, Tbaeng Meanchey district in Preah Vihear province, reported 334 cases of deforestation within the sanctuary. The cases were documented over a three-day period from May 5 to 7, 2025.

“We, the Kuy indigenous community, who rely on forest for livelihood, are deeply saddened by the Ministry of Environment's failure to prevent forest crimes,” the community said in a joint statement. They called on local authorities and the Ministry to end restrictions on the rights of indigenous peoples and the broader public to engage in the protection of forests and natural resources.

Separately, on May 10, environmental activist Ma Chetra raised concerns about illegal logging in the sanctuary in an interview with Radio Free Asia. His claims sparked backlash from authorities, who accused him of using outdated images and spreading false information.

The Preah Vihear Provincial Department of Environment responded by accusing Ma Chetra of entering protected areas without authorization, fabricating reports, and inciting unrest. The department issued a legal warning and called on media outlets to stop sharing what it described as misleading information, urging journalists to adhere to professional ethics to avoid legal consequences.

Despite official pushback, governance expert Ok Serei Sopheak emphasized the importance of transparency and factual accuracy. He called for a credible investigation, noting that “the authenticity of old or new photos is easily verifiable in the digital age,” and warned against conflating environmental and political issues.

“Linking environmental and political cases is threatening and weakens supporting arguments, and the media ban on reporting on this case further confuses public opinion,” he said. “The 7th-term government has a strong political will in governance, but the gap between this will and lower-level officials' implementation is wide. Governance is crucial for citizens' trust.”

Environmental advocates San Mala, Network and Advocacy Program Manager at Partnership for Environment and Development, and Moen Chandara, acting president of the Cambodian Youth Network, also criticized the official response. They noted that activists and local communities often provide location-based evidence of forest crimes but face denial and political framing from authorities.

“The Preah Rokar Forest Community reports daily deforestation and forest crimes in the area, raising concerns about the livelihoods of those relying on the community's forest products,” said Moen Chandara. “The question is, if these crimes continue to occur every day, what else can the people who depend on the forest products of this community rely on?”

In response, Ministry of Environment spokesperson Khvay Atitya said further investigations are underway. He defended the ministry’s commitment to forest protection, highlighting ongoing efforts to enforce environmental laws.

“The working group will continue to monitor natural resource management in protected areas due to past false information dissemination,” he said. “They will investigate further, issue clarifications to the public, and monitor technical matters with the actual situation. The group will continue to work on this issue.”

However, he added that the working group has yet to produce a formal report on previous forest crime reports in the Prey Preah Roka area.

Prey Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary spans 90,000 hectares across the districts of Tbaeng Meanchey, Chheb, and Choam Ksan in Preah Vihear province. It is home to diverse ecosystems and supports the livelihoods of several indigenous communities.