Cambodia's prime minister announced last Thursday that he intends to expand the production of rubber through small and large-scale plantations across the country. "We must continue to promote smallholding rubber plantations and promote rubber plantation on economic land concessions," he said.
Radio Free Asia reported that according to government targets, Cambodia plans to increase the area of land used for rubber plantations to 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) and to export 300,000 tons of rubber latex by 2020. All of its rubber is for export, and most is sold to Vietnam, Malaysia, China, and Singapore, where it is used in manufacturing.
This decision is a blow to Indigenous Kuy activists living in and around Prey Lang forest, who have been urging the government to stop issuing economic land concessions within their endangered primary forest.
Radio Free Asia reported that according to government targets, Cambodia plans to increase the area of land used for rubber plantations to 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) and to export 300,000 tons of rubber latex by 2020. All of its rubber is for export, and most is sold to Vietnam, Malaysia, China, and Singapore, where it is used in manufacturing.
This decision is a blow to Indigenous Kuy activists living in and around Prey Lang forest, who have been urging the government to stop issuing economic land concessions within their endangered primary forest.
Global Response campaign partners at the Prey Lang Network reported that more than 40,000 hectares (98,840 acres) in the forest have been granted for
rubber plantations alone. If concessions continue to rise, members of the Kuy community believe it could mean "game over" for their forest.
See our campaign to protect Prey Lang forest, and take action here.
rubber plantations alone. If concessions continue to rise, members of the Kuy community believe it could mean "game over" for their forest.
See our campaign to protect Prey Lang forest, and take action here.
