Approximately 150 Bunong families in Pu Teurt village, Mondulkiri province, have formally requested that provincial authorities stop a coffee plantation project operated by Eysan Eco Zone Co. The community alleges that the company has cleared rotational farmland, sacred forests, and burial grounds, threatening their traditional livelihoods and local water sources.
The advocacy group Bunong Voice submitted a letter to the provincial governor this week, signed by community representatives, urging officials to protect the area's cultural and natural resources. Resident Pyeuy Phieng stated that the clearing began without prior notice to the community, noting that while economic development is welcome, it should not come at the expense of Indigenous land rights and religious traditions. Residents acknowledged that they do not currently hold formal land titles for the affected territory.
Eysan Eco Zone received government approval earlier this year to develop approximately 668 hectares of land near the Vietnam border for coffee and cacao production. While local authorities confirmed that the clearing has taken place, officials hold differing views on the legality of the project. Pechreada District Governor Vanna Mab stated that the land was legally allocated to the company and claimed the residents were farming on private property. Conversely, Bousra Commune Chief Yert Sarin acknowledged the presence of community burial sites and farmland, stating that the dispute remains unresolved and requires provincial-level intervention.
This conflict follows a history of land disputes in the region, including previous allegations of encroachment by other commercial entities. Yin Mengly, an official with the rights group Adhoc, emphasized that the government must prioritize Indigenous rights when issuing land concessions to prevent the erosion of cultural identity. As of now, authorities are continuing to conduct on-site assessments to determine the next steps in the dispute.
Source: CamboJA News
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