Ministry to distribute one million seedlings for ‘Cambodian Green Day’

The Ministry of Environment is gearing up to host “Cambodian Green Day” in Phnom Penh, with the aim of distributing over one million seedlings free to the public.

Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth recently commemorated the International Day of Forests and announced that this year there are more than one million seedlings available for distribution to the public for planting. During his visit to Mondulkiri Province, Sophalleth highlighted the position of the new government on Cambodia’s green efforts. The Ministry has established nurseries as part of its campaign to distribute over one million seedlings for reforestation efforts from the commencement of the rainy season.

Sophalleth emphasised that Cambodia’s Green Strategy aligns with the Circular Strategy on Environment in line with the Pentagonal Strategy–Phase I (2023-2028) of the 7th Legislature of the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister HM to meet 60% of forest cover by 2050. To celebrate International Day of Forests, held annually on March 21, Sophalleth visited a nursery in Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri’s Keo Seima district, which was established to promote Cambodia’s Green Campaign launched on October 10, 2023.

This initiative has contributed to the distribution of at least one million seedlings annually for planting. The Ministry plans to host “Cambodian Green Day” over three days in early July in Phnom Penh, aiming to distribute approximately one million seedlings for planting countrywide.

So far, the Phnom Penh and Provincial Departments of the Environment have planted a total of 1,144,547 saplings with Sophalleth personally directing the planting of 370,000 trees. The Department of Environment has distributed 205,678 saplings to communities for planting in flooded areas. Sophalleth has urged people to plant trees, rehabilitate and protect forests and the natural environment to increase forest cover and sell carbon to increase income in the community.

In mid-March, he outlined four key strategies aimed at enhancing efficiency and promoting sustainable development to bolster efforts in natural resource and biodiversity conservation by introducing, “Zero Tolerance Enforcement”, “Collaborative Approach”, “Partnership for Accountability” and “Reforestation Drive”. Sophalleth emphasised that the initiative signifies a concerted effort to engage ministries, institutions, relevant authorities, and sub-national administrations in the fight against environmental crimes. In his address, Sophalleth affirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to upholding legal provisions and existing regulations to protect Cambodia’s natural heritage. Through collaborative endeavours and stringent enforcement measures, the Ministry aims to safeguard protected areas and preserve the country’s ecological integrity for future generations.

The crackdown on natural resource crimes reflects Cambodia’s dedication to environmental stewardship and underscores the imperative of collective action in confronting environmental challenges, the Ministry said. The Ministry is committed to enforcing laws without compromise, putting an end to leniency, educational approaches, or negotiations with perpetrators of natural resource crimes.

In an interview with Khmer Times early this year, Sophalleth also mentioned the launch of the “Environmental Circular Strategy 2023-2028”, to orient and identify priority work to ensure environmental sustainability and integrity, climate change response and promoting a green economy to achieve the government’s goal of being a carbon neutral country. The Government’s Pentagonal Strategy–Phase I considers natural resource and environmental management reform as one of its priority tasks and includes it in the framework of the Ministry of Environment. The framework listed five targets, comprising reducing environmental pollution, strengthening the management of protected areas, education on environmental and climate change, sustainable administrative and financial modernisation, and promoting green diplomacy.

The Ministry and its relevant partners have urged people to plant trees, rehabilitate and protect forests and the natural environment to increase forest cover and sell carbon credits to increase income in the community.

Ben Sokhean / Khmer Times
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501462948/ ... green-day/