"Ministry: No connection found between Think Biotech and illegal logging", 12 December 2019

The Forestry Administration … said it had found no connection between Think Biotech Cambodia Co Ltd and alleged illegal logging in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary, and community forest areas in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces, as claimed by activists.

It said it had noted reports in some local and international media outlets that Think Biotech in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces had taken timber from illegal loggers in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary and the Brasat Takhmao community forest.

However, the Forestry Administration said a central Forestry Administration working group … had carried out field investigations into the matter.

The group used research documents, satellite imagery and drones in its investigation, as well as conducted random checks and interviews with commune authorities and representatives from the forest communities and the natural protection area communities situated inside and outside the Think Biotech concession.

“As a result, the working group found that Think Biotech had nothing to do with illegal deforestation, especially harvesting timber from resin trees in the Prey Lang forest area and some community forests.

… The company had also signed an investment agreement with the ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Economy and Finance …, regarding the use of forest land to plant trees on 34,007ha at the Boeung Char Rehabilitation Station in Kratie’s Sambor district and Stung Treng’s Siem Bok district…

The central Forestry Administration working group had checked certain locations directly, particularly the boundary of the Think Biotech concession and the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary…