Officials from the agriculture ministry and the Korean Forest Service (KFS) broke ground on the construction of the ASEAN-Korea Garden in Siem Reap province on November 14. FORESTRY ADMINISTRATION
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Korean Forest Service (KFS) have begun the construction of the “ASEAN-Korea Garden in Cambodia”.
The site, in the Kranhoung forest in the Banteay Srei district’s forest restoration and development area of Siem Reap province, aims to promote tourism and educate the public on the importance of forests and biodiversity.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 14.
Ung Sam Ath, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, described how the implementation of the project will create employment opportunities and enhance people’s well-being, while promoting public education.
Sam Ath added that the garden will increase the awareness of reforestation and biodiversity conservation, while also creating a place for people to visit and relax, according to media post by the Forestry Administration.
“The garden that will be completed in the near future will contribute to socio-economic development, as well as the protection and conservation of forests and poverty reduction, in line with phase one of the Pentagonal Strategy of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s seventh mandate government,” he said.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Lim Sang-seop, KFS deputy minister, shared his congratulations on the successful beginning of the project.
“This garden is a symbol of the progress of forestry cooperation between South Korea and Cambodia, and we are committed to ensuring the successful implementation and completion of this project,” he said.
Jin Sunpil, vice-executive director of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization, explained that the project aims to promote strong, sustainable economic growth and development by maintaining the conservation of land, natural resources and biodiversity, which are the foundations of Cambodia’s economic production.
“This strategy is an example of a holistic approach to forest and environmental conservation for sustainable development. It not only addresses environmental issues, but also the socio-economic well-being of local communities. It is exciting to see the consistency of the project with the key goals of Cambodia,” he said.
Keo Omaliss, government delegate in charge of the Forestry Administration under the agricultural ministry, described the main objectives of the garden.
“It will promote tourism services and the natural forests of Cambodia, while enhancing human welfare, conservation and the protection of endangered species of trees and plants,” he said.
He added that it will also encourage education through public awareness programs on reforestation, biodiversity conservation and knowledge sharing in the region.
Finally, it will contribute to the development of tourism marketing relations and sustainable financial planning to support the long-term operation of the garden, he added.
