The three-hectare area, in Village 44 of Ou Reang Ov district, Preah Theat commune, will join four other locations – in Mondulkiri, Kampong Speu, Koh Kong and Siem Reap provinces – according to the Ministry’s spokesman, Khvay Atitya, on May 6.
“We are preparing a large-scale nursery and plan to start construction this year. This project responds to our circular environmental strategy, focusing on three angles. We must be clean, green and sustainable, aiming for a carbon-free economy,” he explained.
He explained that to meet the needs of the public, various types of trees will be produced at the nursery. People will be able to use them to replant dead forests, as well as to plant around their homes, as well as temples, schools and other public places, to promote green spaces.
Although the Ministry has planned for the latest nursery, Atitya could not confirm the budget or schedule for the project.
Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth led a delegation to visit the site on May 5. The Minister has set a target of establishing 60% forest cover across the Kingdom by 2050.
Currently, Cambodia has 73 conservation areas covering more than seven million hectares, equivalent to 40% of the country’s land area. The Ministry recently produced detailed maps of each area and issued them to the lower authorities of 111 districts and towns of 21 provinces containing conservation areas.
The maps will help the authorities to protect and conserve the Kingdom’s natural resources more effectively for the next generation, according to a statement on May 5 from the Ministry.
The 21 provinces include Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, Kratie, Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Kep, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Prey Veng and Tbong Khmum.
“The transfer of power to lower authorities will support the prevention of natural resource crimes more effectively, according to the four measures of the 7th term government,” Sophalleth said in a ceremony to hand over the new maps.
The Ministry also called for closer cooperation and regular information sharing among all stakeholders in combating natural resource crimes.
The spokesman for the Stung Treng provincial council, Men Kong, believes that the detailed maps will be a very important tool in the important work of protecting natural resources.
