More than 3,000 kranhuong and beng tree saplings are being planted on more than 31ha of land in Preah Vihear province’s Chheb district after the area was reclaimed from offenders.

The land is specifically located in O’Tuol Sokrom in Chheb I commune’s Chheb Koeut Village.

Chheb deputy governor Sok Monirith told The Post on Monday that police had discovered the clearing of 31.87ha of permanent State land in the area. Police are searching for the offenders, but forestry administration officials also decided to reclaim the cleared land.

“In order to restore the illegally bulldozed forest to agricultural land, the Preah Vihear province and forestry officials will replant more than 3,000 trees,” he said.

The planting ceremony was held on July 24 and attended by 150 community members and local officials.

Preah Vihear provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries chief Poeng Trida said planting tree saplings and managing forest resources are being done sustainably to benefit the younger generations.

“Planting trees restores the forest and helps people learn to participate in caring for the land,” he said.

Trida complimented forestry officials who cooperated well with partner organisations and institutions in the province on forest development. He said it was done through community agreements and funding efforts to replant trees.

He said the participation of NGOs and other development partners in providing funds for the project was of extreme importance in supporting the forestry administration and local authorities.