The annual Arbour Day was celebrated this morning in Kampong Chhnang province under the royal presidency of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath, Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.
Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, President of the Senate, Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister, and many other senior officials as well as foreign ambassadors accredited to Cambodia, civil servants and local people attended the annual commemoration in O' Kakhop village, Kraing Lvea commune, Sameki Meanchey district.
His Majesty the King called on the public to continue preserving the forests and planting all kinds of trees as this will contribute significantly to all aspects of human being.
"Forest is the invaluable natural resource for human lives, animals in this planet. The losses of all kinds of forest resulting in flood, tornado, lightning and droughts, which deplete water reserves for the need of human beings and animals which lead to the loss of income, and loss of all kinds of wildlife, and fish resource, as well as causes to desertification and soil degradation," he said.
In addition, the monarch underlined, forest does not provide only economics and social value but also to help maintain the balance of the natural environment, purify the climate, maintain the stability of water sources, and protect slope ground and biodiversity.
"I wish this Tree Planting Day to be embedded in the hearts of all our compatriots and become a tradition of solidarity in which together we plant all trees, preserve, protect and develop our precious forest-wildlife resources for their everlasting existence," he added.
On the occasion, some 13,000 young trees of rare and luxurious species were planted on an area of 10 hectares.
The Arbour Day was initiated in 1952 by His Majesty the late King-Father, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk. This annual event was suspended for many years due to civil war and resumed in 1989.
Since then, Cambodia observes the Arbour Day every year under the presidency of His Majesty the King who always pays high attention to reforestation and natural resource conservation.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse