Impacts of Apsara Authority Projects on Local Livelihood

According to a human right forum on March 25, 2010 by the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, which was coordinated by Mr. Chhim Savuth and Suan Bunthoeun, held in Anglung Sramoal pagoda, Leang Dai village, Leang Dai commune, Angkor Thom district, Siem Reap province, people in 6 villages were affected by the Apsara Authority, who had grabbed villagers’ land and banned them from setting up any form of building.

The affected villages are Phlung, Leang Dai, Samroang, Tabrok, Daun Ao and Trapeang Svay. There were 466 people, including 181 women, participating in the forum.

Mrs. Ien Pisey, Samroag Deputy Village Chief raised the issue that at present these 6 villages as well as those in 5 district around Angkor area were prohibited by the authorities from repairing houses or building new ones on their own land, and even chicken cages or pigpens so that they could rear some animals for sale in order to support the families. Moreover, the authorities had destroyed and dismantled some of their houses and other things.

With regard to their complaints and reports along with villagers’ 1255 thumbprints, they also highlighted some unjust cases over the prohibition and intimidation.

The report showed that in 2004, Apsara Authority came to the area and claimed that 7 villages in Leang Dai commune were included into Apsara Authority zone 1 and zone 2. At that time, the villagers were told that the authority would neither grab the villagers’ land nor evict them from the site; they disseminated how to protect environment; and the authority would not ban people from building new homes, but they had to seek permission in advance.

In 2007 Apsara Authority started grabbing land in Leang Dai village to grow trees. They promised to give compensation, but up to now they have not got any single Riel from the authority at all.

Furthermore in 2009 the authority put restriction on residents not to repair homes, build new houses and not even chicken cages or pigpens, school and stalls to run small businesses.

However during implementing the prohibition, lots of unjust cases occurred because some people were able to do such things, whereas some others were not.

For instance, Mrs. Krom Gneb, living in Samroang village, Leang Dai commune, Angkor Thom district requested the authority to repair her house, but the authority did not permit her to do that, whereas Phok Oam, living in Leang Dai village, Leang Dai commune, Ankor Thom district was allowed to dismantle an old house to build a new one. Another case was that villagers were banned from digging up land to fulfill the space under their homes, but companies could dig up land to make bricks for selling.

On September 9-11, 2009 Mr. Et Pao led a group of 31 workers to dig up villagers’ land to make a pond without having a word with them. This affected 30 families. While they were processing the above activity, they also pulled out villagers’ rice seedlings without giving compensation.

On January 28, 2010 at about 6:00 pm several authorities wearing Apsara Authority uniforms came to seize a raw machine, belonged to Angkor Moal pogada. They also threatened and disdained a monk to arrest and send to prison. They also intimidated to dismantle the pagoda.

On March 10, 2010 around 8:15 am Apsara official led a group of more than 10 policemen to dismantle a house in Kok Thnoat village, Kok Thnoat commune, Siem Reap district. They did not only dismantle the house, but also destroyed the villager’s pot and other materials; and fired 6 shots to intimidate the villagers.