More than 15,000 luxury neang nuon trees have been planted along Sihanoukville’s streets, around four water treatment facilities and along the Ochheuteal canal, in order to mitigate the pollution of the coastal environment when dirty water flows into the sea.
The provincial director of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Nen Chamroeun told The Post on Tuesday that expert provincial officials, community members and students had planted 11,500 saplings around four sewage treatment reservoirs in the Ochheuteal area close to the beach.
He said another 4,000 neang nuon saplings had been planted by officials from the provincial Department of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction along four city roads and in Ochheuteal.
“Planting these trees along the canal and at the water treatment reservoirs is beneficial to human health and the environment because it not only has the role of absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen but also reduces the smell of contaminated water and helps to filter toxins in water,” Chamroeun said.
Sihanoukville land office chief Kim Thaisor said planting the tree saplings was the initiative of Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara, and is aimed at reducing environmental pollution and promoting the beauty of the city.
Thaisor said the working groups had so far planted more than 4,000 saplings along three roads in the city – Ekareach Road, 2 Thnou Road and 28 Mithona Road – and along the Ochheuteal canal to the foot of Damnak Sdech hill at the end of Ochheuteal beach – a length of more than 3km.
“The planting of tree saplings along the city streets was to upgrade the environment and the beauty of the city in order to have more lush greenery and help reduce dirty water flowing into the sea,” he said.
Sihanoukville is considered by the government to be the single largest model multi-purpose economic zone in Cambodia.
With its industrial zones, agriculture, tourism, deep-water seaport and international airport, it has significant potential to attract investors to increase socio-economic growth.
In 2011, Cambodia’s coastline was inducted into the “World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club”, a coveted title which provides great marketing potential.
These potentialities have led the province to develop dramatically over the last two years.
Hotels, guesthouses, casinos, condominiums, commercial hubs and factories have sprung up, creating jobs and generating income for local people and contributing to alleviating poverty in Cambodia.
