Environment and natural resources

Nearly all of the 93,583 hectares of drought-affected rice fields across 17 provinces and the capital, have been irrigated since December last year, announced the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology. ...

Five representatives of the Metta Forest Protection Community have asked that criminal charges against them be dismissed by the Kampong Speu Provincial Court. ...

Mango processing company Cangxinlong Food (Cambodia) Co., Ltd has been fined 300 million riel (approximately $75,000) for failing to manage wastewater discharge, which polluted a public water source in Pailin province’s Stung Kach commune in Sala Krau district for the second time. ...

To ensure their protection, two of the Kingdom’s monsters of the deep, the giant freshwater stingray and the giant salmon carp, are being considered for inclusion on a government list of endangered aquatic species. ...

The 9th Tonle Festival, which will be held in Takeo province this weekend, is expected to attract many national and international visitors. This year’s celebrations, themed “The Value of the River: Connecting Culture and Natural Tourism”, will see crowds enjoy artistic performances, music shows, sporting ...

Ireland has announced a funding package of €800,000 ($872,00) for a climate-related programme, led by Oxfam Cambodia. The initiative aims to support rural communities in the northern part of the Kingdom through climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, climate resilience and rural development. ...

Vessels from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will be the first international visitors to the Ream Naval Base when it opens next month, following the completion of phase one of its current upgrade work. ...

Cambodia’s potential membership of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) holds significant promise for strengthening the country’s maritime rights and sovereignty. ...

A total of 10 juvenile Siamese crocodiles – equipped with tracking devices – have been released for the first time into the remote and human-free areas of Virachey National Park. This marks the species’ return to the park after an absence of over 20 years. ...

A fruit processing company in Pailin province’s Sala Krau district has been found responsible for discharging untreated wastewater. It has contaminated the water source for more than 40 households, with fish dying as a result of the pollutants. ...

A team of intrepid swimmers have embarked on a courageous mission to draw attention to the plight of the Kingdom’s endangered Mekong River dolphin population.​ ...

The authorities have doubled down on eviction plans for the remaining holdouts in Pursat province’s Phnom 1500 area, noting that many of their claims of ownership are demonstrably false. ...

At least seven of the more than 100 factories in Cambodia have been illegally discharging contaminated wastewater into natural clean water sources. One of the companies has been discharging polluted water for the past three years. ...

The government has cancelled multiple private development projects at Kampong Speu province’s Khnang Phsar tourism site, including the planned construction of a concrete road up to the mountain, in order to provide the local community with the opportunity to manage the area and offer services ...

The Pursat provincial administration has warned of legal action against individuals who fail to leave the Phnom 1500 eco-tourism site within 15 days, noting that they may face imprisonment for up to 5 years and a fine of up to 500 million riel ($125,000). ...

International Woman’s Day was marked by keen environmentalists in the Kep provincial capital, with 1,000 mangrove seedlings planted. ...

The Ministry of Environment is working to develop a plan for the conservation and infrastructure development of Phnom Khnang Phsar and Khnang Sampov, two natural tourism sites within the Cardamom National Park. ...

On Sunday, Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra called for concerted efforts to protect and preserve the critically endangered Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins. ...

More than 78 tonnes of used tyres, which entered the Kingdom through the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, have been returned to their point of origin. ...

Proactive new measures have been announced to address water shortages during the upcoming dry season. They include widespread public education campaigns and the earmarking of funds for emergency responses to those affected. ...

A workshop aimed at enhancing capacity on wetland management and migratory bird flyways is currently taking place in Siem Reap, with participants are sharing experiences on the conservation of migratory bird species. ...

Sitting beside her recently jailed husband and their seven-year-old son in their stilt house near Koh Kong’s protected forests, Chey Nov fought back tears. ...

A modified van carrying about 20 cubic metres of luxury hardwood timber – with an estimated value of around $10,000 – was intercepted in Kratie province on March 3, despite being reportedly escorted by another vehicle which aimed to warn the van driver of the ...

The Ministry of Environment is encouraging supermarkets in Phnom Penh to use mesh bags instead of plastic bags. The initiative aims to reduce plastic usage and its environmental and public health impacts. ...