Phnom Tamao Zoo director Nhek Ratanapich said the trees at Phnom Tamao Botanical Garden have grown more than 90 per cent, and now hundreds of people living near the area are enjoying the beautiful scenery and the fresh air whenever they get the chance.

“The clean ponds and lush grass are very attractive to the public. Many people come to visit – mostly on weekends, it is still very quiet during the week,” he told The Post.

He said the gardens have been open since planting was completed late last year, and visitor numbers have been steadily increasing. The grounds are open to the public from 8am until 5pm, although caretakers often work until 8pm.

Rattanapich added that although food and drink vendors have begun offering their wares, the location is not yet fully developed to meet the needs of tourists.

“We are currently conducting studies into what facilities we should offer,” he continued.

Nhem Serey Ratana, a local resident who visited the botanical gardens, told The Post that the grounds are beautiful and it is an excellent place to relax. After work, he often brings his family there for a short break.

He did however express some concerns about the way some people were disposing of their garbage at the site.

“It is a beautiful setting, with meadows and ponds, especially in the early evening. Unfortunately, I have seen both vendors and visitors throwing their trash on the ground, and I worry that the rubbish will build up and mar the beauty of the gardens,” he said.

Rattanapich said that the gardens have been equipped with 100 rubbish bins, so people have no reason to not dispose of their wrappers and food scraps correctly.

“During the day, we have seven full-time cleaners, and another four at night, who also water the trees. Every Sunday, the guards at the site collect the garbage that people have thrown away and store it in bins,” he added.

“Most visitors are using the bins we have provided, but a small group of them are not heeding our calls to keep the environment clean. If they use the bins, it makes it easy for us to dispose of their garbage,” he continued.

A Royal Decree was issued in August last year protecting the Phnom Tamao Botanical Garden, Phnom Tamao Zoo, and the Protected Forest Park. The three areas were established with the goal of ensuring the sustainability of forest and wildlife conservation, rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, education, outreach, research and tourism services.

The protected forest, which covers 1,021ha, ensures wildlife prosperity, conservation and the sustainable development of natural resources. The botanical gardens ensure the maintenance of seedlings and will be developed further into a 530ha luxury garden. The Phnom Tamao Zoo, a 474ha area, is used for the care and treatment of wildlife and offers education about the Kingdom’s unique wildlife.