Senator Mong Reththy and Preah Sihanouk governor Kuoch Chamroeun plant palm seedlings along the expressway on November 3. PSA
One thousand palm trees have been planted along the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway in the Stung Hav and Prey Nop districts of Preah Sihanouk province to enhance the expressway’s natural beauty for all those who journey along it.
The palm tree planting event on November 3 saw the participation of Senator Mong Reththy, provincial council head Vong Phanat and provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun. The ceremony also attracted officials from various units across the province, students and members of the Cambodian Red Cross youth.
“This year, our goal is to plant 5,000 palm seedlings, and today, we’ve successfully planted the first 1,000 along the expressway,” Reththy said.
“At present, our nursery has the capacity for 14,000 palm seedlings. If everything proceeds as planned, we will expand our palm tree planting efforts, considering our extensive range of agro-industrial and fruit crops, including oil palm, rubber, fragrant coconut, durian, mango and various other crops,” he added.
Chamroeun expressed gratitude to Reththy for coordinating the palm seedling nursery and for organising the planting event. He underscored the significance of enhancing the environment along the expressway, especially for travellers.
He also noted that these palm trees represent a noteworthy accomplishment for the province that will benefit future generations.
He called on young people, students and the general public to diligently take care of the palm trees, emphasising that these trees are shared assets belonging to every Cambodian.
“Palm trees represent a legacy bequeathed by our forebears to future generations, as they bestow numerous advantages. They serve for roofing, palm sugar production, consumption as raw fruits and the creation of cakes from ripe fruits. These trees find utility in crafting furniture and decorative items, aligning with the contemporary market demand,” Chamroeun said.
The director of the Cambodian National Research Organisation (CNRO), Sok Sokhom, expressed his support for this initiative on November 5.
He emphasised that palm trees not only serve as a symbol of national identity, but also contribute to the province’s aesthetic appeal and can potentially attract both national and international visitors.
“It is highly beneficial to plant palm trees as they are a symbol of Cambodian identity. I can confidently say that this endeavour enhances the province’s allure and has the potential to draw a substantial number of tourists, particularly along the expressway, where the presence of palm trees amplifies the scenic beauty,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged his fellow citizens to prioritise palm tree conservation and to increase their cultivation in order to maximise the many advantages derived from the trees.
