Environment of Koulen Mountain’s Water fall Must Be Protected
Cambodia is full of natural resources and cultural heritage and these resources have had attracted tourists, making Cambodia a well-known tourist destination in Asia and the world. As example, only Ankor Wat temple in Siem Reap province attracted about more than one million tourists to Cambodia and brings along with income and job creation.
Based on this, we have to think of the protection of environment, which in particular needs participation and contribution of Cambodians and visitors to ensure that Cambodia has sustainable development of tourism. The protection of environment is not only the responsibility of public authorities.
At this present time, I have noticed that there is lack participation and contribution among Cambodian tourists in environmental protection at tourist sites and resorts. During my visit to Koulen Mountain resort on the occasion of Khmer New Year in April 2008, I saw that some visitors cleaned their things in the water fall and those things flowed in the water and made the water contained as much with rice, beer can, and others. People who are at downstream of water fall could not stay in the water any more and they have to stand up.
More important is that I saw some others brought their cars to park in the water and cleaned their cars.
I think this is information which you all may see somewhere. This article is for sharing information with you all and I do hope that the government, local authorities and visitors will understand this and join in keeping our environment clean. Our participation would help develop our sustainable tourism.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:36
hi there interested in your blog my husband and i are interested in all things to do with cambodia we are involved in a building concrete water tank projects in schools esp. in the south and english language classes
our 1st trip to cambodia in feb. we saw the devastating amaount of rubbish especially plastic everywhere … we know life is so hard for so many but are there any programs in schools to make the children aware of what a terrible effect rubbish is having on the country’s environement
would it be a good idea if we did some talks (well the teachers in the schools in our program do) on this so the kids could go home and hopefully pass onto their families
i also realise there is little garbage collection….and if there is where does it go to??
landfill
keep up the good work
susie
May 6th, 2008 at 11:36
Dear Susie,
Thanks very much for your comments in my blog. You explained what you and your wife did in Cambodia. I realize the fact you raised.
I think today environmental protection is included as a lesson in school and awareness campaign has been done for years. Actually, people know about this, but habit or attitude of people has not changed.
I think you could do such environmental program with commune councils and schools in some specific areas where there are tourist places or at market places.
It needs a very huge resources to educate people, but with limited resources, we can do only in some specific areas and raise awareness among the public. We can also do with NGOs in Cambodia.
I think conversation through this blog is not enough, but we could talk for more detail from time to time. I am looking to see your responses.
Thanks, Sokthy