A dozen families in Cambodia’s Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem islands have been granted land to live on ahead of the islands’ development by a prominent tycoon.
The islands in Preah Sihanouk province are part of a new national marine park, the Koh Rong Sea National Park.
Koh Rong, a popular tourist destination, is slated to be turned into a large eco-resort by the Royal Group, headed by Kith Meng, a tycoon with close links to the ruling family.
Yun Min, the provincial governor, declined to comment on the land allocation, saying he was in China.
Chhoeun Chantha, commune chief of Koh Rong Samloem, said the government was doing the right thing, adding that he hoped more land would be made available for those left out.
Cheap Sotheary, a provincial coordinator of local rights group Adhoc, said many of the people living on the islands were families who had migrated there to settle in recent decades.
The Koh Rong National Park was formed by request of Say Sam Al, the environment minister.
