An artist's impression of the proposed tree nursery in Tbong Khmum province. Equipped with a solar irrigation system, it will be able to produce 1.2 million seedlings a year. Environment Ministry
The Ministry of Environment is planning to build the largest tree nursery in the Kingdom. The facility, which will be located in Tbong Khmum province, will feature a solar-powered irrigation system, and will be capable of producing some 1.2 million seedlings per year.
The three hectare site, in Ou Reang Ov district’s village 44 in Preah Theat commune, will join four other locations – in Mondulkiri, Kampong Speu, Koh Kong and Siem Reap provinces – said ministry spokesman Khvay Atitya, on May 6.
“We are preparing a large-scale nursery and plan to begin construction this year. This project is in response to our circular environmental strategy, which focuses on three angles. We must be clean, green and sustainable, towards a carbon-neutral economy,” he explained.
He explained that to meet the demands of the public, many different varieties of tree will be produced at the nursery. People will be able to use them to replant dead forests, as well as to grow around their homes, as well as pagodas, schools and other public places, in order to promote green spaces.
Although the ministry has drawn up plans for the latest nursery, Atitya was unable to confirm a budget or timeline for the project.
Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth led a delegation to visit the site on May 5. The minister has set the goal of establishing 60 per cent forest cover across the Kingdom by 2050.
Cambodia currently has 73 protected areas covering over seven million hectares, equivalent to 40 per cent of the country’s land area.
The ministry recently produced detailed maps of each of the areas and issued them to the sub-national authorities of the 111 districts and towns of the 21 provinces which contain protected areas. The maps will enable the authorities to more effectively protect and preserve the Kingdom’s natural resources for the next generation, said a May 5 statement from the ministry.
The 21 provinces are 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 sub-national authorities will support more effective prevention of natural resource crimes, in accordance with the four measures of the 7th mandate government,” said Sophalleth, during a ceremony to present the new maps.
The Ministry also called for closer cooperation and the regular sharing of information among all stakeholders involved in combating natural resource crimes.
Stung Treng provincial hall spokesman Men Kong believed the detailed maps would be very important tools in the crucial work of natural resource protection. The authorities will share the maps with the public, so they understand which lands are protected. He believed the clear delineation of the protected areas would support the work of forest rangers.
“These maps will be very helpful in protecting our natural resources. Before they were produced, there were widespread discussions among relevant institutions and stakeholders,” he added.
