ANA officials work to safeguard temple sites around Siem Reap. Apsara National Authority
The Apsara National Authority (ANA) in Siem Reap province has demarcated the archaeological area to protect it while also taking back possession of state land that locals have been using. Nearby areas are already off-limits.
An ANA technical team and Siem Reap provincial authorities on Monday cordoned off the ancient and protected pond area, Trapaing Hephka, in Bos Kralanh village, Chreav commune, Siem Reap town, in the province.
“The [separation] of the ancient pond area is to prevent illegal encroachment of the land around the pond, which is a state public property that citizens have used for their own possession,” said the ANA.
It plans to draw boundaries around other archaeological sites near Siem Reap in the future.
ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post on Tuesday that the decision to demarcate the area was because some areas controlled by the ANA were invaded and it has become a chronic conflict.
“This project is to take care, protect and conserve archaeological sites as history and national heritage, especially for our descendants so they can carry out research on our history and also serve the tourist sector as well.
“Some sites shall be cut off, especially archaeological sites in Siem Reap province. Most of these sites contain ancient temples and ponds or baray, which is infrastructure related to the ancient temples.
Chhean Ratha, the director of the Department of Conservation of Temples Outside Angkor Park, told The Post that he cannot say how many sites will be banned to the public. However, he said that due to budget issues this demarcation effort shall be done at priority sites because all of those places are at risk of encroachment.
“We will do it step by step. We will start with ancient temples and high-risk areas such as Banteay Ampil Temple and Chao Srey Vibol Temple which have been encroached by residents.
“Residents have not encroached onto the temple itself, but they have taken over the land around it. We are trying to mark how many square meters of the state land needs to be protected,” he said.
