Environment Day campaign was held at Kampong Phluk commune in Siem Reap province’s Prasat Bakong district on June 2. Heng Chivoan
The Bamboo Shoot Foundation and Kampong Phluk community in Siem Reap province will host a two-day eco-tourism event on June 17 and 18 to plant 1,000 trees to celebrate the arrival of the rainy season. The event aims to combine traditional, religious, and recreational programmes organised by the community.
Sea Sophal, director of the NGO, told The Post: “We want to simultaneously celebrate National and World Environment Day, which fell on June 5, as well as World Ocean Day, which took place on June 8”.
“We have installed 120 giant puppets representing fish and birds, which will march through Kampong Phluk on the evening of June 17,” said Sophal.
He explained that this event is an opportunity to showcase the richness of their culture and raise awareness about environmental conservation.
To celebrate this year’s rainy season, Sophal said the 2023 eco-tourism event will feature a combination of traditional, religious and recreational eco-tourism programmes organised by the community.
According to a press release from the Bamboo Shoot Foundation, the environmental programme included in the event is the planting of 1,000 saplings representing 1,000 households in Kampong Phluk, and the annual removal of plastic waste which gathers along the Tonle Sap during the dry season.
Traditional and religious programmes include the inauguration of a Sala Chhortean, or almshouse, which represents the worship and religious practices of the ancient Khmer, the blessing of the river crossing, and a Tonle Sap grateful prayer ceremony, while the tourism and entertainment programme includes giant puppet shows, folk games and Lakhon Bassac.
Events will also include Tonle Sap wrestling, boating, cycling, running, camping, youth tents, as well as community fairs.
Mam Pisey, a youth representative in the Kampong Phluk community, expressed her excitement about the event. “For my group, we are divided into teams, and we are responsible for preparing and installing the giant puppets,” she said.
“We will gain valuable knowledge through this programme and the participation of teachers and students from my school,” she added.
Kampong Phluk is home to approximately 1,000 households living in three villages. Most of them reside in floating houses and rely on fishing as a means of livelihood.
The community offers attractions such as stilted houses on the water, a floating village, and a flooded forest, allowing tourists to witness the beauty of the expansive Tonle Sap Lake. The eco-tourism event represents a collective vision for a beautiful future.
Siem Reap deputy governor Khim Finan said the collaborative efforts of the community, local authorities, and environmental organisations demonstrate the potential for positive change through community engagement and environmental initiatives.
The upcoming eco-tourism event includes a Ting Mong parade, during which visitors can hold hand-crafted statues made of vines, bamboo, and paper, symbolizing endangered birds and rare fish species.
Finan expressed his optimism for the community’s future: “These are really admirable, creative ideas and activities for the common good of the Kampong Phluk community.”
Neth Pheaktra, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, praised the efforts of the Kampong Phluk community in maintaining cleanliness and preserving the ecosystem.
“I have met with the authorities, the people, and the students to encourage environmentally friendly practices,” he noted.
He also commended the students of Kampong Phluk High School for their creative approach to plastic waste management and the representation of biodiversity through art.
As the event approaches, anticipation builds within the Kampong Phluk community. The collective efforts of the Bamboo Shoot Foundation, local authorities and dedicated community members highlight their commitment to environmental preservation.
Through engaging programmes that incorporate tradition, religion, recreation, and entertainment, the event aims to foster a deeper appreciation for nature’s wonders and promote sustainable practices.
The eco-tourism event in Kampong Phluk serves as a platform to celebrate National and World Environment Day. It showcases the community’s dedication to environmental stewardship and emphasises the significance of the Tonle Sap Lake ecosystem.
By welcoming tourists to experience the community’s unique offerings, Kampong Phluk aims to raise awareness and inspire a sense of awe and responsibility towards environmental conservation.
