Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Suong town administration in Tbong Khmum province on June 5 celebrated World Environment Day 2021 by planting more than 1,500 saplings of rare species and flowering plants to increase the town’s green cover and contribute to improving the environment and conservation of natural resources.
The ceremony was attended by environment ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra and nearly 100 officials, monks, students and residents to celebrate the day under the theme “Biodiversity and Human Health.”
The ministry said 400 rosewood trees, more than 200 thnong trees, 500 peacock flowers and 400 decorative flowers were planted on public roads in the town.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pheaktra said the planting of rare trees and flowers is also intended to raise public awareness of the environment and natural resources in the community and encourages people to participate in the protection and conservation of natural resources.
“Planting trees in communities not only creates a greener environment and mitigates the effects of climate change, but also contributes to the care and conservation of important rosewood species in the community and contributes to a greater presence of rosewood in Cambodia and a legacy for future generations,” he said.
He noted that every year hundreds of thousands of rare saplings are planted by local authorities nationwide in public spaces and degraded forest areas.
Pheaktra added that planting trees is an expression of concern for the environment and natural resources. It’s for the benefit of future generations.
He also called on people across the country to “join in planting trees to create greenery, increase forest cover and protect Cambodia’s natural forest resources.”
According to Pheaktra, Cambodia has established several protected and conservation areas to protect natural resources. It has more than 7.3 million hectares, or over 41 per cent of Cambodia’s total land area, under the jurisdiction of the environment ministry.
He added that the areas the government has designated as protected is more than double the Aichi Biodiversity Targets principle, which stipulates that each country must preserve 17 per cent of its land as protected areas.
Pheaktra also said the importance of reforestation has played an important role in creating a green environment for villages, communes and communities and as a solution to problems caused by climate change.
According to Suong town governor Chea Naron, so far there has been more than 3,000 rare trees and yellow peacock and decorative flowers planted in the town’s streets and planting will continue next year.
