PM saves Mt Tamao forest from clearance
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on August 7ordered the cancellation of all recent land swap deals intended for the development of the Phnom Tamao forest area and that the land and forests around Phnom Tamao Zoological Parkremain protected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Hun Sen also ordered all firms behind the deals to immediately stop their clearing activities and begin replenishing the area in Takeo province’s Bati district.
The premier’s decision received widespread praise from many of the general public and conservationists alike.
In an announcement on August 7, Hun Sen said he had issued this order due to the many requests he had received in recent days to preserve the forest near the zoo, despite the agriculture ministry explaining that the development would not affect the park or the adjacent 400ha sanctuary.
“As the most senior member of the government, I am issuing these orders. First, cancel all permits for trade and development. Second, the agriculture ministry should continue to preserve the forest around the Phnom Tamao Zoological Park. Third, the companies that had cleared the land must halt their activities and begin replanting trees on the cleared land,” it said.
In a May 17 letter to allay public concerns, agriculture minister Veng Sakhon stressed that the land swap would not affect the conservation area or the assistance provided by Wildlife Alliance Cambodia or the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Wildlife Alliance and the ministry.
Leng Navatra, chairman of the Galaxy Navatra Group Co
Ltd who had been granted the right to develop part of the land at Phnom Tamao, said on August 7 that he would follow the government’s decision.
“I support the government as it cancels all construction permits in the Phnom Tamao area. I ask those of you who love trees to join me in replanting them,” he said.
Navatra did not specify when the replanting would take place or how many seedlings would be planted.
Prominent Cambodian singer Khemarak Sereymon announced that he would provide 1,000 trees for replanting.
“I back the government’s decision, and will provide 1,000 saplings to help Leng
Navatra begin replanting,” he said.
Yang Saing Koma, chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Party’s board of directors, welcomed the prime minister’s decision, but said the preservation of the forest in Phnom Tamao was not guaranteed, because planting and restoring forests would take time and be costly.
“In the future, I think decisions regarding development projects and key legislation should include extensive discussions with stakeholders – and public surveys – to prevent unexpected consequences as in the case of Phnom Tamao,” he said.
Suwanna Gauntlett, chief executive officer at Wildlife Alliance Cambodia, offered her congratulations to Hun Sen for saving the forest.
“Today is a day of great joy because [Hun Sen] has, once again, made a great decision and protected the forests of Cambodia. Please express your gratitude to the Prime Minister on his Facebook page,” she said.
She added that she would be sending her congratulations, because she loved the beautiful ecosystem of the forest and was happy that the wildlife populations there would keep their home.
She said that she had spent five hours in the heart of Phnom Tamao forest this week, listening to the calls of the wild animals.
“As the day was ending and the night was settling in, I was nurtured by this symphony of nature. Thank you for being part of this journey and for using your voice to defend the forest and wildlife of Phnom Tamao,” she said.
Nick Marx, Wildlife Alliance Cambodia’s director of Wildlife Rescue and Care programmes, told The Post on August 7 that he was overjoyed to learn that the prime minister had decided to cancel the development permitsin the area and had ordered the land and forest around Phnom Tamao Zoo be kept as a protected place.
He said that the Prime Minister’s decision was a smart one.
“Thanks so much to all the wonderful Cambodians who supported the protection of the forest and to Leng Navatra and the Prime Minister for making this humane and wise decision,” he said.