Phnom Penh: Cambodia’s second regional nursery with a production capacity of more than one million seedlings annually will be established in Mondulkiri province.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the nursery initiated by Minister H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth is located in O’ Rana village, Sre Khtum commune, Keo Seima district of the northeastern province. The groundbreaking of the nursery establishment was chaired by the Minister on Feb. 9, following the first one in September 2024 in Thbong Khmum province.

The Ministry of Environment plans to establish five such nurseries across Cambodia. The other three will be located in Siem Reap, Kampong Speu, and Koh Kong provinces. This initiative aims to expand Cambodia’s forest cover by 60 percent and help the country achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, said H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth.

This effort aligns with the Royal Government’s Environmental Chakra Strategy 2023-2028, which focuses on the protection, preservation, and conservation of Cambodia’s natural resources. Currently, Cambodia has 73 protected areas covering more than 7 million hectares, which is about 40 percent of the country’s total land area.