Green gold: Cambodia's largest tree nursery to be completed by end of May
Environment minister Eang Sophalleth inspecting the construction of a new tree nursery in Ta Sal commune, in Kampong Speu province's Oral district. - Environment ministry
PHNOM PENH: The kingdom's largest tree nursery, located in Kampong Speu province, will be completed by the end of May.
Once operational, it will allow the Ministry of Environment to produce up to 10 million tree saplings per year across its five regional nurseries.
This announcement was made by environment minister Eang Sophalleth during last weekend's groundbreaking ceremony for a new access road and supporting infrastructure at the Khnang Phsar Mountain in Ta Sal commune, in Kampong Speu province's Oral district.
'The largest tree nursery in Cambodia is right here in Kampong Speu. It will be completed by the end of this month and will be able to produce over one million saplings per year. These will be distributed to areas like Kampot, Kampong Speu, Preah Sihanouk and Kandal provinces,' he said.
'Next year, we plan to increase production to two million saplings. Not only that, we have land available to grow and maintain trees for up to five years. We'll be planting large mature trees in towns and provinces — free of charge. That's why Kampong Speu is a top priority,' he added.
The ministry is currently building five regional tree nurseries: The first, in Tbong Khmum province, covers 3 hectares. Siem Reap will be 10 hectares, Kampong Speu 20, Mondulkiri 10 and Koh Kong 3.
'Our goal is to promote tree planting and Cambodia's greenery. Green spaces mean cleaner air. Clean air equals carbon neutrality. When our air is clean, carbon and methane emissions are absorbed by the trees, creating a balance — this is what carbon neutrality and clean air mean,' said the minister.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, he inspected the Kampong Speu nursery site. He announced that in 2025, the ministry will distribute 3 million free saplings under the theme 'Ponlork Baitong'. These will include three types of trees: luxury hardwood timber species, fruit trees and one million sugar palms.
This will be the second edition of the 'Ponlork Baitong' campaign. The first, in July 2024, saw 1.3 million saplings distributed to the public for planting in public spaces and forest restoration areas.
It is the second pillar of Cambodia's Environmental Sector Strategic Plan, and aligns with phase one of the seventh-mandate government's Pentagonal Strategy.
'In future years, the Ministry will produce 10 million saplings annually for distribution to the public, supporting Cambodia's commitment to increasing forest cover and contributing to climate change mitigation, while helping local communities become greener and teaching the next generation about the value of natural resources,' explained Sophalleth.
In addition, he noted that the new tress will benefit national development through carbon credit initiatives and support community economic infrastructure through the development of green tourism zones. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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