Leng Ouch

Leng Ouch is a Cambodian climate activist. He spent his early childhood in the forests in Cambodia and became an activist against illegal logging in Cambodia's forests.[1][2] He is best known for going undercover to record illegal logging activities in his home country.[3]

Leng Ouch
Born1975
Takéo Province, Cambodia
OccupationClimate Activist
OrganizationCambodia Human Rights Task Forces
Awards2016 Goldman Prize Recipient Asia

Early life

Leng Ouch was born in Takéo Province to a family of poor farmers, and he spent most of his childhood during the Khmer Rouge regime as his family migrated between forests and survived by foraging.[1] He spent the early part of his life hiding in the jungles of Cambodia, only beginning his education after his family moved to Phnom Penh in 1980.[1] He worked for his education and earned a scholarship to attend law school; this allowed him to join many human rights organizations and start his career as an activist.[1]

Career

Leng Ouch founded the Cambodia Human Rights Task Forces (CHRTF), an organization for combating deforestation in Cambodia.[4] During the 2000s and 2010s, Leng has gone undercover in often dangerous situations taking photos and recording evidence of illegal logging,[5] which has led to 23 land concessions being cancelled and a major logging company being exposed.[6] Often adopting disguises in his work, Leng has helped uncover thousands of crimes and confiscate timber and logging equipment.[5] Leng has faced danger in his line of work, with him being arrested with other activists multiple times.[7][8]

Awards

Leng was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2016 for his work exposing corruption and illegal logging in Cambodia.[9]

References
  1. "Leng Ouch". Goldman Environmental Foundation. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  2. Ives, Mike (2016-04-22). "Fighting to Save Forests in Cambodia, an Activist Puts Himself at Risk". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  3. "Leng Ouch - 2017 Asia Game Changers". Asia Society. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  4. "Leng Ouch". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  5. "'Even though I know my life is at risk, I still try to save the forest'". the Guardian. 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  6. "Conservation Hero: Leng Ouch". One Earth. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  7. "Goldman Prize-winning Cambodian activist arrested, released in Cambodia". Mongabay Environmental News. 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  8. "Cambodian environmental activists reportedly arrested". Mongabay Environmental News. 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  9. Cole, Laura. "Leng Ouch: investigative reporter and activist - Geographical Magazine". geographical.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-04-20.


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