Banteay Meanchey Province Urges Citizens to Plant and Care for Trees for Environmental Protection and Green Development

The "Tree Planting Day" (Rookkhas Day) was grandly celebrated in Banteay Meanchey Province, northwestern Cambodia. Governor Um Ratry emphasized the importance of every citizen planting and nurturing trees, calling it a collective effort for environmental protection and sustainable green development. The ceremony, held on July 30, 2026, at Kbal Spean village in Preah Ponlea commune, Serry Sophoan city, was attended by Governor Um Ratry, Provincial Council Chairman Plek Varry, government officials, military personnel, teachers, students, and a large number of residents. Governor Um Ratry firmly stated that planting trees is not the sole responsibility of any single institution but a shared duty of all citizens. He called upon all stakeholders to actively promote tree planting everywhere, whether along roadsides, at schools, pagodas, community areas, or on private land. The governor highlighted that nurturing the trees after planting is even more crucial than the act of planting itself. "We must not plant and abandon them; these saplings require watering and protection to grow into shade-giving trees that genuinely absorb carbon dioxide," he urged. The governor added that a green environment significantly contributes to mitigating climate change, providing clean air, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Banteay Meanchey, making it a more attractive and livable province. The tree-planting ceremony was marked by a spirit of cooperation and a deep understanding of the value of forest resources among all participants. Mr. Sok Rady, a teacher who brought his students, expressed his excitement, stating, "I am truly moved and happy to bring my students to plant trees today. This is a most valuable extracurricular lesson for the children, teaching them to love nature and understand environmental conservation from a young age." Ms. Nee Rith, a resident of Preah Ponlea commune, commented, "The governor's appeal is very timely. We, the citizens, promise not only to plant today but also to help care for and water all the saplings near our homes so they can grow well." This year's "Tree Planting Day" is not just a symbolic event to increase forest cover but has become a powerful social movement inspiring a love for nature and a shared responsibility for the future of Banteay Meanchey's environment. Source: AKP Khmer