E/C.12/KHM/CO/1 page 5 15. The Committee is deeply concerned about the most recent FAO global forest survey estimating that the State party has lost 29 per cent of its primary tropical forest cover over the last five years, one of the most serious cases being the continuing destruction of the Prey Long forest in Northern Cambodia. The Committee is also concerned about the reports that the rapid increase in economic land concessions in the last several years, even within the protected zones, is the major factor in the degradation of natural resources, adversely affecting the ecology and biodiversity, resulting in the displacement of indigenous peoples from their lands without just compensation and resettlement, and in the loss of livelihood for rural communities who depend on land and forest resources for their survival. (art. 1) The Committee urges the State party to review its policy regarding the conversion of protected zones into economic concessions, by conducting environmental and social impact assessments including consultations with relevant stakeholders and communities with due regard to their right to participate in informed decisions that affect their lives. The Committee strongly recommends that the granting of economic concessions take into account the need for sustainable development and for all Cambodians to share in the benefits of progress rather than for private gain alone. The Committee requests the State party to give, in its next periodic report, detailed information on the progress made in the implementation of these policies. 16. The Committee notes with concern that the 2001 Land Law, which provides for the titling of indigenous communities' communal lands, has not been implemented effectively and that so far, no indigenous community has received any land title. The Committee also notes with concern, the adverse effects of the exploitation of natural resources, in particular mining operations and oil exploration that are being carried out in indigenous territories, contravening the right of indigenous peoples to their ancestral domains, lands and natural resources. (art. 1) The Committee urges the State party to implement the 2001 Land Law without further delay and to ensure that its policies on registration of communal lands do not contravene the spirit of this law. The Committee emphasizes the need for carrying out environmental and social impact assessments and consultations with affected communities with regard to economic activities including mining and oil explorations, with a view to ensuring that these activities do not deprive the indigenous peoples of the full enjoyment of their rights to their ancestral lands and natural resources. The Committee encourages the State party to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries. 17. The Committee notes with concern that, despite the State party's signature of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in 2007, there is no law explicitly prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities and that there is no provision, legislative or otherwise requiring that public buildings and government services should be accessible to persons with disabilities. The Committee is also concerned about reports that persons with disabilities suffer from the inaccurate stereotype that they cannot be productive members of society, resulting in difficulties in obtaining skilled employment. (art. 2.2)