El Nino fire warning issued

A Ministry of Environment ranger surveys the charred remains of the flooded forest that once surrounded Prek Toal village in Battambang province. The Ministry of Environment issues a statement on preventing forest fires in natural protected areas and biodiversity conservation corridors on Monday. Hong Menea

The Ministry of Environment issued a statement on Monday on preventing forest fires in natural protected areas and biodiversity conservation corridors.

The statement, which cited a government directive on water preservation from last Thursday, said Cambodian weather is set to be heavily influenced by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, a weather event involving a cycle of warm and cold temperatures impacting the tropics and subtropics.

During El Nino, temperatures can rise to highs of 42 degrees Celsius, with very little rain. This will result in the government issuing a cautionary statement on Thursday which raised concerns about the possibility of a drought in the Kingdom in April and May.

The ministry’s statement said as a result of the extreme heat and dryness, there will be an increased risk of forest fires from natural causes and human activity.

It said forest fires frequently occurred in natural protected areas and biodiversity conservation corridors every year.

Through the statement, the ministry hoped to educate all organisations, ministries and sub-national authorities about the heightened dangers of forest fires during the El Nino period.

Ministry spokesperson Neth Pheaktra told The Post on Monday that the ministry was ramping up efforts to prevent forest fires this year.

Flooded forests burning at the Prek Toal bird sanctuary in Battambang Province in 2016. Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon

“We need to be careful because this year’s extra high temperatures, along with the especially dry climate, will make it easier to cause wildfires by accident when people burn waste in natural protected areas,” he said.

The main cause of forest fires in the dry season is illegal forest land clearing to grow agricultural crops, as well as people starting forest fires to catch wildlife.

The statement issued six guiding directives to prevent wildfires for sub-national authorities and local communities to follow, including cautiousness when using fire to harvest crops and catch animals.

The ministry’s statement also prohibited any acts that violate Article 62 of the Law on Natural Protected Areas, including forest clearing, burning and destruction.

Contact author: Voun Dara

MOST VIEWED

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
Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia
A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication
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,
Honda shutters Siem Reap football club
Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said
PM declares ASEAN Para Games open
The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans
Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening
The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.