Preah Sihanouk province took delivery of the first of two German-made beach cleaning tractors on Friday, while two street sweeping vehicles will arrive soon, Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Yun Min told The Post on Sunday.

The tractors have been donated by the National Committee on Coastal Area Management and Development (NCCAM).

“Preah Sihanouk province will receive three devices – one beach cleaning tractor and two street sweeping vehicles. The provincial authority purchased the two street sweeping vehicles with support from individual donations."

“According to the plan, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara is providing two beach cleaning tractors to Preah Sihanouk province, while one tractor each will go to Kampot and Kep provinces for beach cleaning,” Min said.

He said the tractors will assist in the cleaning of beach areas, collecting rubbish and flattening sand. He added that the remaining machinery will arrive soon.

Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Pheaktra said the ministry supports the donation of the equipment.

“The beach cleaning tractors will help clean Cambodia's beaches and assist in persuading more tourists to go to the beach."

"With the aid of the beach cleaning devices, local people and tourists will be less concerned about sanitary problems such as waste and rubbish issues on provincial beaches,” Pheaktra said.

He added that provincial authorities would first train staff on the machinery's correct use before allowing the tractor to be used to clean Sihanoukville beaches.

Sophara, who is also NCCAM chairman, announced the tractors' donation on October 12.

Mong Reththy, an adviser to the NCCAM on the tractors’ purchase, took to Facebook in October writing that that the devices were purchased from Germany.

The ministry provided the beach cleaning tractors in response to coastal provinces such as Preah Sihanouk becoming inundated with trash, which has been washing up from the sea and polluting beaches.