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The past week saw the Ministry of Environment bring a halt to large-scale forestry crimes in Ratanakiri and Pursat provinces, eve as it gears up to begin distributing five million free seedlings to the public as part of its “Green Shoots” campaign.
The ministry announced that a June 17 operation in Ratanakiri’s Koun Mom district saw local authorities and law enforcement officers dismantle almost 100 illegal charcoal kilns near a protected area in Trapeang Krahom commune’s village 3.
According to the ministry, unauthorised charcoal kilns are a major driver of pressure on forest resources. Authorities noted that they will monitor the area to prevent the reemergence of the kilns.
In a separate case, on June 14, forest rangers in the Phnom Oral Wildlife Sanctuary discovered more than 100 illegally harvested logs hidden in Pursat’s Krakor district.
The provincial environment department said the operation was the result of confidential information provided by concerned citizens.
It warned timber traders and others involved in natural resource-related offences in the province to immediately cease such activities or face severe penalties under the Environmental and Natural Resources Code.
The ministry praised members of the public, local authorities and relevant agencies for their cooperation in preventing forest crimes.
Such efforts, the ministry said, also support the “Green Shoots”, or “Ponlork Baitong”, movement, which will see the ministry distribute free tree seedlings to the public, to encourage reforestation and the expansion of green cover, to create a cleaner environment and improve public well-being.
Five regional nurseries have been established to produce seedlings.
This year, the ministry plans to distribute five million seedlings to the public, including more than one million palmyra palm trees. The event is scheduled for July 10 and 12.
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