The Ministry of Environment has urged the public to join them in planting trees through the “One Tree, One Love” programme to keep to Cambodia clean and green.

Ministry of Environment secretary of state and spokesman Neth Pheaktra made the appeal on behalf of the ministry at a school in Kampong Prasat commune, in Prey Veng’s Peam Chor district on Saturday where he planted 130 luxurious trees with help from more than 100 students and residents.

“People, please participate in the environmentally friendly practice by joining tree planting activities at schools, pagodas and in your communities,” he said.

Pheaktra said the ministry did not limit the number of trees for planting, but it would be better if more were planted rather than less.

He added that the programme adds to existing efforts by the government, communities and conservation NGOs.

“Planting trees at schools or pagodas creates a green environment, as well as a positive and comfortable atmosphere for students. Planting luxurious trees like the thnong [Pterocarpus macrocarpus], beng [Afzelia xylocarpa] and neang nuon [Dalbergia oliveri] varieties at communities, schools and pagodas help protect biodiversity,” he said.

Pheaktra said the tree planting goes along with the policy of Environmental Friendly Schools that the ministry is promoting nationwide. It encourages environmental friendly practises in schools to cultivate a sense of responsibility to the environment among students.

Planting trees, Pheaktra said, is a way to combat climate change and global warming that causes negative effects on the Kingdom’s development.

“Cambodia is not a country that causes climate change, but it is affected by it,” he said.

Pheaktra said the ministry is managing and preserving 7.2 million hectares of protected areas, which amounts to the equivalent of 41 per cent of Cambodia’s total landmass.

Youth Star Cambodia executive director Luy Tech Chheng said on Saturday that since many people have participated in the planting activity, his NGO would continue to work with the ministry to plant even more trees.

“Planting trees links youths, the private sector and rural communities together through the effort. By participating in the activity, they become environmental role models for children and other youths,” he said.

The goal is to teach people to love the environment as the issue that affects all people, he said.

Youth Star Cambodia is one of the NGOs that co-organised the tree planting activity.