WASHINGTON DC - Some 400,000 people have been affected by land disputes since 2003, the rights group Licadho estimates. That has meant the transfer of huge swaths of land from farmers to agricultural firms.
A new interactive time-lapse map posted by Licadho on its website shows the rapid expansion of economic land concessions, which now total 2.1 million hectares across the country.
“We wanted to show that in recent days the government has given economic land concessions to many companies,” Pung Chhiv Kek, president of Licadho, told VOA Khmer. “We support the government’s plan to develop the nation, but when we develop the country, it should be developed with sustainability and equity, and we should not allow the benefits to go to a small group, while then majority of people suffer.”
The map can be viewed here:
http://www.licadho-cambodia.org/concession_timelapse/
Interactive Map Shows Rapid Pace of Land Concession Grants
- Sok Khemara
- VOA Khmer
Some 400,000 people have been affected by land disputes since 2003, the rights group Licadho estimates.
