Mangrove forests protect beaches from erosion, store carbon to help mitigate climate change and are home to many of the Kingdom’s most diverse wildlife. Fauna & Flora Cambodia
The first “Peace Mangrove Festival” will be held over a three-day period in Koh Kong province, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of mangrove forests and promote future collaboration for their conservation in Cambodia.
The festival is scheduled to take place from February 28 to March 2, in Koh Sralau village, of Koh Kong district’s Koh Kapi commune.
The unique event is being organised by the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Koh Kong Provincial Administration and the Meta Nature Organisation.
The ministry announced that the festival aims to “raise awareness about the importance of mangrove forests as a vital ecosystem that provides numerous benefits to the environment and society, such as coastal protection, disaster prevention, habitats for biodiversity and sources of income for local communities”.
In addition, it will encourage cooperation in the conservation of mangrove forests through the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including the government, diplomatic representatives, civil society organisations, the private sector and local communities.
The ministry emphasised that the celebrations will also promote the values of peace, environmental sustainability, and the importance of coexistence between people and nature.
“Mangrove forests are not only a crucial natural resource but also a symbol of harmony between humans and nature,” it said.
The promotion of the potential of mangrove forests to support the livelihoods of local communities through the provision of natural resources and sustainable eco-tourism opportunities is also a key objective of the event.
Key activities during the Peace Mangrove Festival will include mangrove planting, with participation from high-ranking officials, honorary guests and members of local communities. Other activities will include boat rides, mangrove tours and recreational swimming.
The festival is expected to become an important annual event that will raise awareness and encourage public participation in the conservation of mangrove forests and the Kingdom’s wider environment.
The organisers have called on the public to play an active role in the event.
Cambodia’s four coastal provinces – Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong – are home to approximately 50,000 hectares of mangrove forests, according to the NGO Fauna & Flora Cambodia.
The organisation highlighted the importance of mangroves, noting that they not only protect coastlines from waves and erosion but also store carbon, helping to reduce climate change and support biodiversity.
They have called for collective efforts to protect mangrove forests, including halting deforestation and saying “no” to sand dredging and other activities that harm these vital ecosystems.
A recent 2024 study identified more than 700 separate species living in Koh Kong province’s 30,000 hectares of mangroves.
