Indigenous people in Cambodia claim they’re blocked from sacred sites – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Preah Vihear, Cambodia – In the hilly woodlands of northern Cambodia, members of the Kuy Indigenous community continue daily patrols to safeguard a forest they have used for generations. The area holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the group, yet recent disputes have raised concerns that access could be curtailed. Local leaders say the stakes extend beyond timber to the preservation of their collective identity.
Daily Patrols in Chom Penh Forest
Ruos Lim, a Kuy elder in his seventies, regularly leads groups of volunteers through winding trails in the Chom Penh forest. Their task is to watch for illegal logging and unauthorized clearing. These efforts began more than two decades ago when the community sought formal recognition of its land rights from Cambodian authorities. The patrols have persisted despite early risks. Volunteers once faced armed loggers carrying machetes and firearms. Over time the work has become more organized, though the underlying goal remains unchanged: to maintain control over territory the Kuy consider essential to their heritage.
Disputes Over Land Expansion
Tensions have centered on claims that Santana Agro Products Co. Ltd., a major cashew producer, has moved into areas the Kuy regard as their own. Community members allege the company is clearing forest for expanded farming operations. The firm has rejected those accusations. In January 2025 roughly 200 Kuy residents staged a protest by blocking company tractors from entering disputed zones. Similar demonstrations have occurred before. An earlier investigation by Mongabay documented deforestation linked to the company’s activities in the same region.
Broader Concerns Over Rights and Recognition
The Kuy worry that existing protections for their territory could be weakened. They have long pressed the government to grant official title or management rights, viewing the forest as both a practical resource and a sacred space. Loss of access, they argue, would erode the cultural continuity that defines the group. Company operations and government land policies intersect with these longstanding claims. The Kuy maintain that their voluntary patrols represent an attempt to fill gaps until formal safeguards are secured or strengthened.
What Remains at Stake
The conflict illustrates ongoing friction between agricultural development and Indigenous land claims in Cambodia’s northern provinces. For the Kuy, the forest represents more than economic value; it anchors their sense of history and belonging. Continued patrols reflect a determination to hold that connection intact amid competing interests.
