The Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority (ANA) is conducting repairs to the north gate of the second level of the Eastern Mebon temple, which has fallen into a state of disrepair.
So Pot, an archaeologist and architect with the department, explained that parts of the brick structure and in danger of collapsing due to age and the infiltration of rain water. Moisture also causes the walls to rot, and the plants that grow on top of the gate create many small and large cracks as their roots penetrate the walls, making the cracks larger.
The department has identified the risks and is strengthening the foundations and using cable clamps to create an internal scaffold that will stabilise the structure.
“So far, we have completed about 50 per cent of the necessary work,” said the ANA.
At the same time, the ANA and Manulife Cambodia PLC planted trees and fresh grass in the northwest corner of Angkor Wat Temple's moat on August 3 to enhance the beauty of the Angkor World Heritage Site in all seasons.
Long Kosal, deputy director-general of the ANA, said preserving the nation's cultural heritage is the duty of every Cambodian, and it is the policy of the ANA to maintain, and expand forest cover in the Angkor area and throughout the country.
Kosal welcomed the contribution of Manulife Cambodia PLC.
