Environment minister Eang Sophalleth addresses the May 16 groundbreaking ceremony. Environment ministry
Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth has issued a warning to environmental officials, informing them that any of them found felling trees for use in infrastructure construction in the Phnom Khnang Phsar area will be removed from their positions. He also encouraged community members to participate in forest conservation and tree planting as part of a broader vision for eco-tourism.
This warning was made on Friday, May 16, during the groundbreaking ceremony for an access road to the Khnang Phsar area and supporting eco-tourism infrastructure at Wat Tang Bampong, located in Tang Bampong village, Ta Sal commune, in Kampong Speu province’s Oral district.
He instructed officials to use the timber that was felled during previous power line clearance work rather than cutting fresh trees, noting that no new logging would be tolerated.
“Absolutely no cutting of trees is allowed for construction purposes here. When Prime Minister Hun Manet climbed Khnang Phsar, he told the district governor, the head of the Wildlife Sanctuary and the office chief that that if even one tree is missing, the office chief will be held accountable,” he recalled.
“Drones will be used to monitor the trees. If one is missing, the office chief goes too. The provincial director of environment must pay close attention. This is no joke. I will enforce the Prime Minister’s recommendations,”he added.
Environment officials and members of local protected communities attend the groundbreaking of a new infrastructure project in Kampong Speu province’s Khnang Psar area. Environment ministry
In March, the prime minister led a delegation from the environmental and tourism ministries on an inspection tour of the Khnang Phsar and Phnom Sampov areas. Following the visit, land from four private companies was reclaimed for the state and its management placed in the hands of the Roleak Kang Cheung community.
The new road will stretch for just over seven kilometres, from Wat Tang Bampong to the base of Damnak Domrey in Tang Bampong village.
A four kilometre track extends from the base of Damnak Domrey to Dan Preah, at the top at Khnong Phsar. At the foot of the mountain, an information centre, first aid station, coffee shop, bathrooms and car parks will be built. Once completed, they will be handed over to the local community for management, with full training provided.
“I’ll buy a coffee machine for you to generate money and provide training so the community can run it themselves. The community and citizens are the owners. There is no need to rely on outsiders — just brew and sell coffee. The parking fees will go to serve the community,” added the minister.
He explained that the ministry’s goal is for the community to play an active role in protecting the forest. The ministry and provincial department will also provide saplings for local residents to plant.
Sophalleth added that construction at the rest area will employ local stone, and that clean drinking water will be provided to reduce the use of plastic in the area. Solar-powered trash incinerators will be installed, with solar also providing the energy for other operations at the site.
In addition, the minister encouraged communities to plant fruit trees and ornamental flowers at rest stops along the trail.
“Let’s all plant together. If we plant now, in five years they will bear fruit, and we’ll be proud. Let’s think long term. We are leaving something behind for the next generation. If the forest disappears, the children might not praise us — they might curse us instead,” he warned.
The plan has received final approval from the head of government, although construction of some parts of the project may be delayed by the rainy season.
The project aims to boost the local economy and improve community livelihoods through green development. The groundbreaking was seen as a deeply meaningful and historic event for Kampong Speu, Koh Kong and especially the residents around Khnang Phsar.
Sao Sin, a representative of the Roleak Kang Cheung protected area community, saw the event as a major milestone.
“Infrastructure that supports and enhances eco-tourism in the Khnang Phsar area will play a key role in improving the lives of local residents, especially through providing nature-based tourism services and contributing to the protection and conservation of natural resources,” she said.
Khnang Phsar is located within the Cardamom Mountains National Park, which covers 926,123 hectares across five provinces: Koh Kong, Pursat, Kampong Speu, Preah Sihanouk and Battambang. The area is rich in biodiversity, and home to 221 plant species and 369 wildlife species which are listed on the IUCN Red List.
The park features forests, grasslands, lakes, waterfalls and deep valleys, forming a beautiful year-round landscape capable of attracting both domestic and international tourists and primed for development into a popular green destination.
