National
Cambodia Strengthens Forest Protection as U.S. Partners Train Kingdom's Rangers to Combat Illegal Logging
PHNOM PENH — Sept. 29, 2026: Cambodia has reinforced its frontline defence of national forests, with Ministry of Environment park rangers at the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province receiving specialised training to investigate illegal timber smuggling.
The programme was delivered by U.S. law enforcement agencies and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and focused on building Cambodian rangers' investigative capacity. It also introduced Ministry of Environment representatives to "Arbortron" equipment designed to identify and track the species of illegally harvested timber.
The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh said Washington is committed to combating the illegal international trafficking of wildlife and timber and supports Cambodian rangers in their mission to protect the Kingdom's natural resources.
"By equipping local rangers with modern enforcement tools, international partnerships help safeguard vital natural ecosystems, protect American economic interests, and combat environmental crime at its source," the Embassy said.
The initiative underscores Cambodia's active role in protecting its own natural heritage while contributing to regional and global efforts against environmental crime.
Source: U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Reported by The Khmer Today