AKP Phnom Penh, January 30, 2026 --

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, H.E. Say Samal, has conducted a high-level inspection of the Tonle Sap Lake’s "Zone 3" protected areas, reaffirming a strict ban on illegal encroachment while offering a temporary reprieve for local farmers.

The visit to Po commune, Kampong Leng district in Kampong Chhnang province, on Thursday highlights the Royal Government’s delicate balancing act: preserving Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake while managing the livelihoods of thousands of families reliant on its fertile floodplains.

Accompanied by Kampong Chhnang Provincial Governor H.E. Sun Sovannarith and other relevant senior officials, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that Zone 3 remains a strictly protected sanctuary vital for fish spawning.

"The areas surrounding the Tonle Sap are critical fish nurseries. Commercial exploitation or settlement in Zone 3 is strictly prohibited," he stated, issuing a stern directive to provincial and district governors to halt the destruction of flooded forests, warning that officials must be vigilant in preventing any further land clearing.

Despite the strict conservation laws, H.E. Say Samal announced that Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has authorised a temporary "one-season" farming allowance for residents previously dependent on these lands. This measure is intended to alleviate immediate economic hardship for local families.

"This is an act of compassion by the Prime Minister to address the difficulties faced by our citizens," he said. However, he warned that this temporary access does not grant permission for further clearing.

In a significant policy move, the Minister revealed that the Royal Government is currently processing the "re-zoning" of specific land parcels, transitioning them from the highly restricted Zone 3 to the more flexible Zone 2. Once completed, eligible residents will receive formal land titles and recognised usage rights.

To prevent farmers from straying into protected forests, the Deputy Prime Minister introduced a mandatory technological solution for land preparation.

He ordered that all heavy machinery, specifically tractors operating near protected boundaries, must be equipped with GPS tracking systems.

"We must have precise measures in place. GPS will allow us to monitor all plowing and clearing activities in real-time," H.E. Deputy Prime Minister explained. "This ensures a clear distinction between authorised rice fields and protected flooded forests, preventing any accidental or intentional destruction of the fish sanctuaries."

The initiative marks a shift toward digitised enforcement as Cambodia seeks to protect its biological heritage from the pressures of agricultural expansion.

By K. Rithy Reak