Siem reap: More than 800 volunteers from Japan and Cambodia joined forces on July 5 to plant 10,000 tree saplings across five hectares, east of Prey Temple in the Angkor Archaeological Park. This large-scale tree-planting event was a collaborative initiative between Japan's AEON Environmental Foundation and the APSARA National Authority.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the volunteer group comprised 450 Japanese nationals and 350 Cambodians. Noya Okada, a Board Member of the AEON Environmental Foundation, highlighted the foundation's commitment to tree-planting initiatives since 2002, aiming to protect Cambodia's heritage sites from erosion and promote biodiversity conservation. To date, these efforts have engaged over 4,200 volunteers and resulted in the planting of more than 34,000 trees in various locations, including roads to Angkor Wat and temple complexes within the Siem Reap forest park.
The foundation has expanded its reach, planting a total of 64,409 trees across Cambodia with the help of 8,692 volunteers. Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Ueno Atsushi, noted AEON's longstanding commitment to Cambodia, which extends beyond economic investments to include significant contributions to environmental protection and heritage conservation. The Ambassador praised the foundation's role in constructing the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap, which preserves and displays ancient artifacts from the Angkor region, and reaffirmed Japan's ongoing commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Cambodia.
H.E. Mrs. Lundi Sannara, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, emphasized the essential role of trees, noting their importance for water sources, biodiversity, and maintaining a clean environment. In the Angkor area, trees contribute significantly by attracting rain, maintaining groundwater levels, and protecting ancient temples from erosion and structural collapse.
Over the past two decades, the APSARA National Authority, in collaboration with various organizations, has planted over two million trees within Angkor Park, reflecting a sustained commitment to preserving the site's environment and heritage.