Cambodia's King H.M. Norodom Sihamoni draws attention to the problem of deforestation at annual tree planting

On 10 July, Ambassador Martin Vavra took part in the National Arbor Day, or the Tree Planting Day, in the Kampong Chhnang Province. This is a traditional Cambodia event being held in various provinces since 1952. The main goal is to address the serious issue of deforestation and encourage and appreaciate activities going into the opposite direction.

The importance of this prestigeous environmental event is underscored by the presence of the Head of State himself being accompanied by the top state officials.

This year was not any different. Thus in addition to H.M. the King, H.E. the Prime Minister, H.E. the President of the National Assembly, H.E. the Minister of Interior, H.E. the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, H.E. the Minister of Environment, to name the few, were attending. The provincial highest authorities were naturally involved as well.

H.M. Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, stressed in his speech the importance of forest as the invaluable natural resource. He warned that losses of all kinds of forest can result in flood, tornado, droughts, depleted water reserves, and desertification, drew attention to the fact that forest help maintain the balance of the natural environment and protect the biodiversity, and expressed his thanks to all contributors to forestation, conservation and protection of forest.

Forrest cover 47% of the Cambodian surface. On that particular day, 13 000 trees, including „the Czech one“, were planted on the area of 10 hectares.