The Ministry of Environment provided medals and certificates of appreciation to more than 1,600 people including civil servants, park rangers, contracted officials, volunteers, and employees in security, sanitation, electricity and gardening, for their sterling efforts in 2021 and 2022.

Ministry secretary of state and spokesman Neth Pheaktra told The Post on October 30 that among the 1,614 people, 596 were awarded medals and 1,018 received commendation letters, in a ceremony presided over by minister Say Samal.

Samal expressed his appreciation to all of the recipients, saying that he was grateful for the sacrifices they had made in the cause of protecting the environment.

He said he acknowledged the work of those who participated in Cambodia’s journey to build, develop and restore society after the fall of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.

“The ministry’s work is not only the protection and conservation of natural resources, but also contribution to building a new society. Cambodia must have national unity, even if each individual has different ideas. For the benefit of the nation and people, we must remain committed to our important work,” he added.