Reforestation Ceremony at Trapeung Rung

August 28, 2009

Originally Published by Wildlife Alliance

On August 13th, Senior Minister for the Ministry of Environment, His Excellency Dr. Mok Mareth, joined Wildlife Alliance, villagers from Trapeung Rung, and Buddhist monks to celebrate the launch of a new reforestation project along Road 48 near Trapeung Rung and Botum Sakor National Park.

Wildlife Alliance staff erected information boards about poaching, illegal logging, forest fires, illegal land grabbing and other causes of forest and wildlife destruction. 

Program Manager, Lesley Perlman, addressed the crowd in a speech, as did the Logistics Coordinator for the Southwest Elephant Corridor Program, Hort Sokun. His Excellency Dr. Mok Mareth also addressed the crowd and showed support for forest and wildlife protection and the reforestation project.

"This reforestation ceremony is to protect and support the biodiversity and ecological system in the Protected Area and also to urge civil servants, armed forces, and local authorities to strongly focus on participation in protecting and conserving natural resources to ensure long-term benefit for community lifestyle and socioeconomics for our nation," said HE Dr. Mok Mareth.

HE Dr. Mok Mareth went on to say that the Kingdom of Cambodia is a country with abundant natural resources, including forests, wildlife, rivers, and fisheries. "Therefore, ideal management, care, and use of natural resources are the most important factor to sustainably ensure the balance of environment and socioeconomic development," he said. "This refers to the development that meets the needs of todays human beings and gives opportunities to our young generation to benefit from it."