PHNOM PENH: Pursat province has been selected as the first site for the implementation of the “giant king grass” planting campaign, which aims to provide local residents with raw materials for wood fuel and charcoal production as an alternative to cutting down forests.
Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth announced the new initiative on Friday (June 19), as he presided over a “Plant Trees Together for a Green Cambodia” seedling-planting event at the entrance to the memorial site of Tep Oknha Khleang Moeung and Lok Chumteav Khan Khiev in Pursat.
“Following support from Prime Minister Hun Manet, Pursat has been selected as the first province for the giant king grass planting campaign,” noted the provincial administration.
If the project proves successful, the environment ministry plans to expand the campaign to other provinces across the country.
This important project addresses the cooking fuel needs of local people because the grass can be processed into biomass fuel, serving as a substitute for firewood and charcoal produced from natural forest trees.
As a result, it can make a significant contribution to forest conservation by reducing the need for communities to enter forests to collect firewood.
In addition, cultivating the grass can provide households with an extra source of income.
The planting is also expected expand Cambodia’s green cover, by preventing deforestation. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
