Kampong Chhnang flooded forest to see 8,000 trees planted

The flooded forest was recently intruded and cleared for private ownership, with boundary poles illegally planted. Supplied

The Kampong Chhnang provincial Forestry Administration plans to plant around 8,000 trees on 4ha of the flooded forest at the Trapaing Trav area in Chhnok Trou commune’s Ses Slap village in Boribor district.

It was recently intruded and cleared for private ownership, with boundary poles illegally planted.

Provincial Forestry Administration director Ly La told The Post that rangers discovered the encroachment while patrolling the flooded forest three days earlier.

“We’re bulldozing paddles that had been planted in the flooded forest to provide shelter for fish to lay eggs and for other mammals. Now we plan to plant 8,000 small trees in the flooded forest,” he said.

La said the small trees would be planted in mid-May or early next month when there is more rainfall, which is good for them to grow well.

“Besides [the Trapaing Trav area], the Forestry Administration also plans to plant trees in other flooded areas including those in Cholkiri and Kampong Leng districts.

He said around 5,000 trees are distributed to residents in local communities for planting every year.

“Planting trees in the degraded flooded forest not only breathes new life into its cover and biodiversity but also prevents illegal logging by opportunists,” he said.

La said the Fishery Administration and relevant authorities have previously sent suspects to court and seized machinery as evidence in its crackdowns on encroachments. Phnom Penh Post