Meet the ‘vigilante’ grandfathers protecting indigenous forest life in Cambodia

Cambodia news in English! Here you'll find all the breaking news from Cambodia translated into English for our international readership and expat community to read and comment on. The majority of our news stories are gathered from the local Khmer newspapers, but we also bring you newsworthy media from Cambodia before you read them anywhere else. Because of the huge population of the capital city, most articles are from Phnom Penh, but Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Kampot often make the headlines as well. We report on all arrests and deaths of foreigners in Cambodia, and the details often come from the Cambodian police or local Khmer journalists. As an ASEAN news outlet, we also publish regional news and events from our neighboring countries. We also share local Khmer news stories that you won't find in English anywhere else. If you're looking for a certain article, you may use our site's search feature to find it quickly.
Anchor Moy
Expatriate
Posts: 13458
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 11:37 pm
Reputation: 3974
Tokelau

Meet the ‘vigilante’ grandfathers protecting indigenous forest life in Cambodia

Post by Anchor Moy »

Meet the ‘vigilante’ grandfathers protecting indigenous forest life in Cambodia
By Matt Blomberg
November 22, 2018
At the edge of a forest on the northern plains of Cambodia, an indigenous community is building its own security system.

It comprises a small outpost made of timber confiscated from illegal loggers at the main access point looters use as they look to rob the forest of its riches.

For the community’s self-appointed forest patrol, it is a key line of defence when most indigenous people have been reduced to bystanders as their ancestral forests are felled.

“We can’t depend on the law, it’s too slow,” says Ruos Lim, the 67-year-old patrol leader.

A group of mostly tribal elders, they see themselves as vigilantes, tasked with defending the forests that provide them with food and income.

“Day and night, we will lead our children and grandchildren to protect our livelihoods from all intruders,” says Lim, who believes that if the forests are destroyed, next goes the community, its traditions, its language, and potentially an entire way of life.
https://www.mekongeye.com/2018/11/22/me ... -cambodia/
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot], Arget, Art, barang_TK, johnny lightning, Moe, paul2d, Soriya, Tootsfriend and 1030 guests