Villagers told to show land titles, or else - phnompenhpost.com

Villagers in Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province face a deadline to prove land claims after the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries asked people claiming plots in the O’Thhma forestry restoration station area to submit ownership documents. The ministry said submissions must be made to the district Forestry Administration before July 15, or claimants will forfeit their rights. The documents will be accepted during working hours until the same date, and the administration will inspect and verify them to determine rightful owners. The announcement was made Friday, as officials plan to develop the area. The deputy cabinet director and spokesperson Chan Heng said questions would be handled by provincial Forestry Administration officials, and chief Dy Sokhom noted authorities may need to review boundaries because land has been owned and sold by multiple residents. A rights group coordinator, Cheap Sotheary, said the process could help negotiate and avoid conflicts.