Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors (UPDATE: Works Stopped)

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.
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Developers target a ‘protected’ forest in Cambodia
By Anton L. Delgado
11 July 2022 at 6:00
Wildlife rescue center and environmentalists call for clarity over development plans for the Phnom Tamao Forest.

A two-lane dirt road truncates the north-eastern tree line of Phnom Tamao Forest, marking the start of a housing complex on private land bordering the protected area.

Dozens of boundary markers cemented underneath the tree canopies of the forest indicate the plans for land exchange deals that would clear the way for development within the protected area itself.

Phnom Tamao, originally believed to be protected, is now threatened by shadowy construction plans, according to conservationists, who worry for the future of a rescue center and endangered wildlife in the sanctuary forest.

Additionally, the privatization of a protected area so close to Phnom Penh could indicate increased danger for Cambodia’s protected forests beyond the watch of environmental groups.

In the short term, development could sever wildlife habitat and turn the protected area into fertile poaching ground. In the long term, these plans could be the spearpoint eventually separating Phnom Tamao Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre from the forest, and potentially its donors.

Closed-door meetings, surprise contracts and 16 unavailable government employees on the local, provincial and national levels shroud the names of the developers and their intentions mostly in bureaucratic darkness, leading to environmental watchdogs to request an anti-corruption investigation.

Despite the front of silence, a melting pot of Facebook posts, leaked documents, sales representatives and billboard advertisements produce a murky mesh of developers and tycoons with their eyes on Phnom Tamao Forest.

Available documents indicate development plans for nearly half of the forest’s 25 square kilometers (9.6 square miles). Almost 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles) have been promised to unidentified parties in exchange for faraway land and an array of benefits including trucks, motorcycles and a 30-room “leisure building.”

Full article with more details here: https://www.mekongeye.com/2022/07/11/de ... -cambodia/
Includes:
The local and provincial government officials tagged in the post – Phea Ouch, Chhoeuy Roeun and Nhep Sron – were unavailable to comment on the meeting.
Without government confirmation, the list of known developers involved with Phnom Tamao ends there: Bati Tourism & Development, TP Moral Group and China Poipet Satellite City.
Click on the mekongeye link above to watch an animated map showing Phnom Tamao development.
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Short video:
Cambodian tourist: Why I love Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre


BUT, danger looms...
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

No corruption, irregularities in Tamao mountain clearing: ACU
Orm Bunthoeurn | Publication date 03 August 2022 | 19:43 ICT
Image
Alleged deforestation at Phnom Tamao seen in a photo dated July 31. WILDLIFE ALLIANCE CAMBODIA

The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has found no irregularities or any element of corruption involving a land swap deal in the Tamao mountain area near Kandoeng commune, Bati district in Takeo province.

The complaint of such irregularities was brought by Tim Kimsour, an environmental watchdog, who has since commented that he has no objection to ACU’s findings.

According to a letter by ACU head Om Yentieng in July, which was viewed by The Post on August 2, if in future Kimsour uncovers any other practices that might be corrupt, he is free to lodge another complaint with the unit.

The letter stated that ACU received Kimsour’s complaint on June 13, 2022 and proceeded to investigate the claims on June 17, but found no evidence of corruption.

Yentieng thanked Kimsour for reporting the case and raising concern over the irregularities, noting that the land swap falls under the administration which manages public and private state properties.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... earing-acu
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Breaking news:
Government Orders to Annul Development Projects at Phnom Tamao’s Forest Area
AKP Phnom Penh, August 07, 2022 --

Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE has issued an order to write off all permissions for the exchange and development of forest area at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre in Bati district, Takeo province.

The order was announced via his social media network this morning, following many requests to the Royal Government for the preservation of the forests near Phnom Tamao, although the Ministry of Agriculture has explained that Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre is not affected.

“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,” the Premier emphasised.

At the same time, Samdech Techo Prime Minister thanked his compatriots for their constructive suggestions.
C.Nika
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
nemo
Expatriate
Posts: 2054
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 6:34 pm
Reputation: 1395
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors

Post by nemo »

FB is alive with complaints about this from Khmers
never seen so much protest
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors (UPDATE: Works Stopped)

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

^^ There is a lot of media attention on this, and the public are vocally supporting the protection of the Phnom Tamao area on social media.
Image
Image
Image
Tycoon Leng Navatra appeared on the morning of August 7, 2022, asking the Royal Government to repeal the SPDC, which allowed companies to receive land concessions for development in the Phnom Tamao area, and called on the public to unite with him and plant trees.
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
Bitte_Kein_Lexus
Expatriate
Posts: 4421
Joined: Sun May 18, 2014 7:32 pm
Reputation: 1325

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors (UPDATE: Works Stopped)

Post by Bitte_Kein_Lexus »

Lol quick turnaround by Nevatra after his company was one of the ones which reportedly (by KT) had been given a concession and seeing the backlash. New PR spin: I'm going to plant trees in the area where we just cut down trees from r my project!
Ex Bitteeinbit/LexusSchmexus
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors (UPDATE: Works Stopped)

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Cambodia cancels housing development project near zoo after criticism
2022-08-07 17:46:15

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government on Sunday canceled a housing development project near the famed Tamao Mountain Zoo in the southern Takeo province after heavy criticism over deforestation.

The government has approved the mega housing project and the local real estate developer firm for the project has recently begun to clear hundreds of hectares of the forest land there.

The move has drawn public criticism about the destruction of forest and biodiversity.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo HE said there have been many requests to the government for saving the forest near the zoo, although the agriculture ministry had said the development project would not affect the zoo.

"As the head of the royal government, I would like to cancel all licenses that had been granted for the swap and the development," he wrote on his official Facebook page.

HE also ordered the developer firm to stop its forest-clearing activities and replant tree seedlings on the cleared land.
https://english.news.cn/20220807/639f2e ... 078/c.html
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors (UPDATE: Works Stopped)

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Image
Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): After Samdech Techo HE decided to stop the Phnom Tamao forest land development project, the tycoon Mong Rithy announced that he was preparing to plant trees on August 7, and tomorrow, August 8, he will start planting 2,000 beng and thnong seedlings in the area cleared of forest land in Phnom Tamao,then on August 9, tycoon Mong Rithy has said he will send another 5,000 beng and thnong saplings to replant the destroyed area.

Oknha Mong Rithy announced on Facebook on the afternoon of August 7, "I am honoured, with the highest permission from Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, to replant rosewood trees on the cleared site. Now I am loading the seedlings on the truck tomorrow morning, August 8, 2022, I will transport 1,000 seedlings. 1,000 thnong saplings, a total of 2,000 saplings, will be delivered on Wednesday, August 9, an additional 50,000 saplings will be delivered. According to unofficial sources that the area cleared about 500 hectares, we will replant a total of about 102,000 seedlings in total".

Mr. Oknha Mong Rithy added, "Tomorrow morning, Monday, August 8, 2022, I and Lok Chumteav Prahok will lead a group of technicians, staff and workers from Mong Rithy Group, to contribute to replanting trees in Phnom Tamao, Bati District, Takeo Province. We want to contribute to replanting trees, I welcome with pleasure anyone to join us in Phnom Tamao to replace the forest destruction".
Image
Image
Please be reminded that on the morning of Sunday, August 7, 2022, Samdech Techo HE announced the cancellation of all permits for exchange and development in Phnom Tamao forest area in Takeo province. Samdech also decided to keep the land and forest around Phnom Tamao Zoo as land to be protected and preserved by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Samdech Techo HE also ordered the clearing company to stop its activities and replant trees on the cleared land.
The decision of Samdech Techo HE to stop the forest land development project around Phnom Tamao after the public expressed concern against the development project in this mountainous area.
Image
Immediately after Samdech Techo HE issued the decision, Duke Leng Navattra, known as the president of one of the companies that received the right to develop the Phnom Tamao forest area and cleared the forest land He posted a message on Facebook: "I support the Royal Government to remove all the Phnom Tamao SPDC and those who love seedlings can come and plant seedlings with me."
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
phuketrichard
Expatriate
Posts: 16790
Joined: Wed May 14, 2014 5:17 pm
Reputation: 5733
Location: Atlantis
Aruba

Re: Phnom Tamao Zoo Land Sale Rumors (UPDATE: Works Stopped)

Post by phuketrichard »

why plant trees:?

its already been stated its to sandy for trees ...
In a nation run by swine, all pigs are upward-mobile and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely. HST
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Amazon [Bot], drozd, Ingvar 7788, Lost50, paul2d, Spigzy and 738 guests