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Not sure how we missed this announcement by the Minister of the Environment made last week:

Ministry of Environment issues island protection decree
Thu, 10 November 2016
Moeun Nhean

A new decree has been issued by the Ministry of Environment in regards to the protection and preservation of nature within the Kingdom.

To be officially administered in the near future, the decree will ensure that investment projects associated with island properties or along the coastline will be made into a more progressive venture that takes into account thorough scrutiny over the exact size of the invested property. Moreover, the degree could even annul projects that are idle.

During the first national convention festival discussing “The creation, protection, and preservation of the biological diversity of a system that protects nature” on Tuesday, Environment Minister Say Samal stated that this convention is a new era for the sustainable preservation of Cambodian natural resources in the future...

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-prope ... ign=buffer

I wonder [ in the kingdom of wonder ] if this includes the 13 [ ? ] islands that were '' sold '' or classed as 99 year leases.

Even better, the minister wants Cambodia's islands to be listed as a World Heritage site. I'm not sure he fully grasps the meaning of the World Heritage site list.
From the same PPP article:

On the subject of beaches and coasts, Samal asked: “Should all islands in Cambodia be listed as world heritage or not?”
He proceeded to express his opinions, saying, “For myself, I think that they should have already been listed as world heritage sites, because if all the trees on the island are cut off, there will surely be no more fresh water on them.”

I'm not sure what the minister is talking about here, or what they plan to do with the leases that have already been signed, and places like Koh Rong where the works are already underway. Mustn't let a small thing like reality get in the way of these great projects.

Besides having already enlisted Koh Rong and Koh Thmey in the world heritage list, Samal explained that a way forward for other islands to be considered for world heritage sites would be to ponder over the fresh water matter. He said, “It’s not easy to take fresh water from the country to supply the islands.”

Back in the days, there were many investment projects on Koh Thmey, but most of them became inactive, thus prompting termination by the government. He clarified that he was currently preparing a report for Prime Minister HE regarding the islands’ future.

“First, we won’t give the entire land for investment. Secondly, we will organise the master plan by ourselves; if investors intend to build resorts, for example, in the size of five hectares, we will strictly only give that five hectares or only a [small] part of the property.

Sounds reasonable.

For the record,none of Thailand's islands are on the nomination list, and for the moment, Angkor and Preah Vihar are Cambodia's only two heritage sites. Criteria for World Heritage sites :

A World Heritage Site is a landmark which has been officially recognized by the United Nations, specifically by UNESCO. Sites are selected on the basis of having cultural, historical, scientific or some other form of significance, and they are legally protected by international treaties. UNESCO regards these sites as being important to the collective interests of humanity.

More : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Her ... n_criteria

What a bad joke! The Chinese are raping Ream Park with the blessing of HEs body guard unit after the Chinese company gave them motorcycles, uniforms, weapons, $$$$, etc.

That ministers comment is so beautifully Cambodian.

Indeed... Cambodians sometimes seem to think everything in Cambodia is amazing and of interest to foreigners. Kind of like that obscure organization which named Kep one of the "most beautiful bays in the world". Wtf? In reality the temples are the only real draw. Cambodia offers very little nature-wise as the waterfalls and "rapids" are not even remotely special or significant. The same goes for the forests and those islands really aren't unique in any way. I'm all for conservation though, but that minister is the epitome of your typical clueless, unqualified Khmer lawmaker/government official. Still a positive move though as those islands are turning to shit pretty quickly. I doubt I'll ever return to the main ones.

Re Koh Rong, the environmental department has been round there, mostly looking for escaping sewage and checking septic tanks. With regard the great works down on Sok San beach there's been another spanner in the works, the king's said anyone whose been there for more than 30 years and has a dwelling of some sort is the owner of the land. Someone has turned up with an old deed right where they are wanting to build, so work's stopped.