Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - ANA keeps Angkor Park green with tree planting

ANA keeps Angkor Park green with tree planting

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A man talks under trees in the Angkor Archaeology Park on Friday. ANA has planted more than two million trees in the park since 2004. ANA

ANA keeps Angkor Park green with tree planting

In the 17-year period from 2004 to 2021, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) – a body tasked with managing the Angkor Archaeology Park – planted more than two million trees in the Angkor area in order to enhance environmental beauty and attract more domestic and international tourists to the historic world heritage site.

ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post on September 19 that of the more than two million trees planted, some were luxury seedlings such as Kranhoung (Dalbergia cochinchinensis), Beng (Afzelia xylocarpa) and Thnong (Pterocarpus macrocarpus), among others, and only a small percentage of them had died early on.

He said a relatively low number of trees had died because the Angkor area has sufficient water resources and they were planted each rainy season in areas that were judged suitable for them to flourish.

He added that the planting of the trees was partly in order to replace dead ones which had been removed to guarantee the safety of tourists and improve the appearance of the park.

“We planted these trees to sustain the forest in the Angkor resort area, and the removal of some trees is necessary to save lives and safeguard public and private property because if anything occurs they will blame the ANA for not noticing the problem and taking care of it beforehand,” he said.

Kosal noted that the Angkor Archaeological Park was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and was also designated as an outstanding cultural achievement for all humankind. He said the natural environment and forest was an important part of the area’s appeal in addition to the temples and monuments.

Yith Chandaroth, deputy director-general in charge of forest management, landscape, culture and environment at the ANA, said the body had paid more attention to environmental work in recent years including increased care and attention paid to the trees in the park.

He said the ANA had established 10 plant nurseries and each year they grew more than 200,000 saplings, of which the ANA plants more than 20,000 saplings on land in the Angkor resort area and then distributes another 100,000 saplings for free to communities throughout Cambodia for planting.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.