Forestry Administration (FA) officials are continuing to clean up land for reforestation in the Phnom Tamao forest area, which has been designated as a zoo, protected area and phytosanitary park covering a total of 2,025ha in Takeo province’s Bati district by a royal decree.
The decree, signed by King Norodom Sihamoni on August 19, states that the area is divided into three categories: the wildlife sanctuary area of 1,021ha, the phytosanitary area for luxury woods of 530ha and another 474ha for the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of wildlife, education, research and tourism.
Sea Ra, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, told The Post on August 21 that FA officials are preparing the land for reforestation.
“Now we are cleaning up the land and planting saplings. The saplings are of good quality so the mature trees will be very healthy. FA officials are using machinery to carry out this work, assisted by a number of Prime Minister [Hun Sen’s] Bodyguard Unit [PMBU] troops,” he said.
Prominent tycoon Mong Reththy, chairman of Mong Reththy Group, said on August 21 that from August 8-21, some 33,130 saplings of beng (Afzelia xylocarpa) and thnong (Pterocarpus macrocarpus) species had been delivered for planting in the Phnom Tamao area.
“This may be a little more than needed, but we can keep saplings for planting if others are damaged,” he said.
He added that as of the evening of August 20, some 277.5ha had been planted with saplings, with it fortunate that the area had received consistent rain to aid their growth.
“Next week, I will transport two more trucks loaded with 15,600 thnong saplings at the request of [PMBU] chief General Hing Bun Heang, who is leading the cleanup of the area and the planting of saplings,” he said.
The development of Phnom Tamao had drawn the ire of the public, with controversy ending after Prime Minister Hun Sen decided to maintain it until a royal decree was issued.
Environmental activist San Mala said he supported Hun Sen’s decision to keep Phnom Tamao as a protected area, which would ease concerns over it being developed.