Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - ANA grants 601 housing requests in Angkor Park

ANA grants 601 housing requests in Angkor Park

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
APSARA National Authority assessed the home construction site before approval in Angkor Archaeological Park area in April. ANA

ANA grants 601 housing requests in Angkor Park

The Apsara National Authority (ANA) approved requests for small-scale renovation to 601 families within the Angkor Archaeological Park and provided architectural plans for another 50 families in April.

ANA spokesman Long Kosal said on May 9 that the ANA’s Department of Land and Habitat Management in Angkor Park had assessed the sites and approved the renovation of homes and other small structures.

He added that requests were assessed from 196 families in Siem Reap town, 121 in Banteay Srei district, 141 in Prasat Bakong district, 115 in Pouk district, six in Sotnikum district and 22 in Svay Leu district.

“Permission for small construction and renovation work included the dismantling of windows, repairs to chicken coops, duck cages, pig cages, and kitchens and bathroom renovations …,” he said.

Kosal said that in the same period, the department’s architectural team helped approve larger work for 50 families – five in Angkor Thom district, seven in Siem Reap town, 17 in Prasat Bakong district, 13 in Puok district, six in Banteay Srei district, and two in Svay Leu district.

“Those 50 families now have permission to carry out work on a larger scale, such as the demolition of older homes or the construction of new ones,” he added.

In a press release, the ANA said it had thoroughly reviewed the requests and tried to process them free of charge and as quickly as possible.

ANA teams, it noted, still faced some challenges such as repairs or construction that was carried out before the assessments were complete, while announcements of land for sale in protected areas still took place occasionally.

Kosal called on people who continued to try to get away with such activities to stop, and participate in the preservation of the important cultural asset in the Angkor Park.

“One difficulty we have is that some people who bought land in the past are attempting to sell it. We call on our people to participate in conserving the area. If they want to dismantle homes or construct anything in the Angkor area, please contact the ANA,” he said.

Kosal said the next goal of the ANA’s community working group would be to educate the public so they better understand the ANA’s role and responsibilities when it comes to land use in the protected area of Angkor Park and the procedure for applying for home renovations and construction there.

He warned that in the past the ANA had also implemented serious measures, and that it would not attempt to educate serial offenders forever.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom

  • PM warns of int’l election interference

    With the national election scheduled to take place in less than two months, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned foreign nations and their diplomats not to interfere into Cambodia’s domestic affairs. He also hinted that their statements on court verdicts handed down to any