January 6, 2026
PHNOM PENH – In 2025, park rangers conducted 16,261 patrols within their jurisdictions, cracking down on 2,152 cases of natural resource crimes – a 15 per cent decrease compared with 2024.
The Ministry of Environment reported that the cases addressed included 751 forestry crimes, 737 wildlife crimes, 334 cases of illegal encroachment on state land, 322 fishing-related offences and 15 mineral resource violations. In addition, judicial police officers of the ministry compiled 133 case files for submission to the courts, involving 95 suspects.
Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya said that patrol operations increased by 1,855 in 2025, while the number of natural resource crime cases fell by 393 compared with 2024. In 2024, park rangers conducted 14,406 patrols, during which 2,545 natural resource crimes were suppressed. These included 752 forestry crimes, 700 wildlife crimes, 754 cases of illegal encroachment on state land, 327 fishing offences and 12 mineral resource violations. During the same period, judicial police officers prepared 235 cases for court, involving 98 suspects.
“The reduction in natural resource crime enforcement cases has indeed occurred due to the strong efforts of the leadership and park rangers of the [environment ministry], working in cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions, as well as provincial, municipal and district administrations in areas with protected zones, local authorities and partner organisations,” Atitya stated.
He added that cooperation has been particularly strong with provincial courts, all three branches of the armed forces, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and local communities in protected areas to implement the Environmental and Natural Resources Code and existing legal frameworks, ensuring protection and conservation of natural resources for sustainable livelihoods.
Aligned with the strategic policies of the government and directives from Prime Minister Hun Manet on effective natural resource management, environment minister Eang Sophalleth has promoted the implementation of the Circular Strategy on Environment. Under this framework, Pillar 2: Greenness focuses on key strategies such as expanding tree-planting movements, strengthening management of protected areas and developing livelihoods for communities in protected areas to support conservation and improve living standards.
Over the past two-plus years, in addition to enforcing the law against natural resource crimes, the ministry has enhanced rapid, clear and targeted response measures to prevent and suppress offences in protected areas.
The ministry has also provided satellite imagery of suspected deforestation hotspots to provincial administrations, the National Committee for Forest Crime Prevention, the ACU and all three branches of the armed forces for monitoring and legal action in accordance with the Environmental and Natural Resources Code. The provision of this imagery, as well as drones, has strengthened patrol technology, enabling more effective legal enforcement.