Cambodian “Avatars” Rally to Save Prey Lang

By Freedom
25 May, 2011

There are around 100 villagers from Kampong Thom, Kratie, Preah Vihear and Stung Treng porvince conduct the demonstration at Freedom Park, Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 25 May, 2011 to demand the Government keep clear Environment and Prey Lang.

Like Avatar’s Na’vi people, who describe the Pandoran forest as “their everything,” Cambodia’s Prey Lang Forest communities say, “Prey Lang is our forest. Where there is forest, there is life. Where there is no forest, there is no life.”

And Cambodia has its own “avatars.” The Prey Lang Network, representing hundreds of indigenous Kuy communities around the forest, is on the move to save the forest from the illegal logging, agro-industrial plantations, and mines that are hastening its destruction. To date, they have collected more than 30,000 sign-ons to a petition to Save Prey Lang.

on May 25, 2011, Prey Lang Network members, celebrate the forest in a mass rally and press conference at the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh to appeal to the Government to save Prey Lang. An anticipated 100 demonstrators, including Network members painted blue and in traditional dress like “avatars,” hope to call attention to the dire situation of Prey Lang forest and its communities. Supporters from Phnom Penh and other areas are expected to join the event, which will include songs and dances from the forest communities.
The Network is calling on the Royal Government of Cambodia to:· Stop granting economic land concessions and suspend all those already granted in Prey Lang and the surrounding buffer areas;

· Give protected status to Prey Lang and keep and conserve Prey Lang as a heritage for Cambodia; and· Recognize the Prey Lang Network to be partners with the government in co-management of the forest.They are also looking for the Cambodian and global citizens to support their cause. They have launched an online campaign at http://ourpreylang.wordpress.com/

The Network message is that Prey Lang is not just important to them, it is important for the world. “It is OUR forest. That means is it is YOUR forest, too.”