(Kampong Cham): Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina laid out five key strategic plans and actions to strengthen the management, development, and conservation of forest resources through cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions at both national and sub-national levels, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

The minister spoke on Wednesday (Jul. 9) during the celebration of “Arbor Day” held in Chamkar Leu District, Kampong Cham Province.

The five strategic plans and actions are as follow:

1. Enhancing protection and management of forest lands through close collaboration with the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, and local administrations. This includes accelerating the registration of state lands, such as forest cover land, community forest land, and forest restoration station land.

2. Promoting and encouraging the cultivation of tree seedlings by state actors, partner organizations, and the private sector to support nationwide tree-planting efforts.

3. Strengthening law enforcement to curb forest land encroachment, illegal logging, and wildlife trafficking.

4. Preventing and responding promptly to forest fires, particularly during the dry season, to safeguard natural forests.

5. Supporting and promoting the planted wood industry to meet domestic timber demands, reduce pressure on natural forests, ensure sustainability, and encourage wood product processing as a contribution to national economic growth.

Additionally, in collaboration with partner organisations and the private sector, the ministry is providing technical and financial support to develop livelihoods for community members through activities such as animal husbandry, agroforestry, agrotourism, and harvesting of non-timber forest products. This support benefits 655 community groups, comprising over 170,000 households or more than 510,000 individuals nationwide, who are actively contributing to the protection of community forest lands and wildlife.
=FRESH NEWS