APSARA National Authority: Pollution Level in Angkor Area Is Not Yet Critical

28 Jul 2014  2093 | Cambodia Travel News

The air pollution problem in Angkor is in fact not a new issue, as well as Angkor is not the only World Heritage Site in the globe to face this problem of air pollution, said the APSARA National Authority responsible for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap.

“From the Acropolis in Greece, to the Taj Mahal in India, the Yungang and Longmen Grottoes in China and the Seville Cathedral in Spain – all are facing a similar threat. However, Angkor is the only World Heritage Site to be certified ISO 14001 since 2004,” said APSARA in a report in response to the article “In Cambodia, toxic air threatens timeless ruins” by Denise Hruby, published in the Cambodia Daily on July 21, 2014.

“The burning of fossil fuels (petrol/diesel) produces gases that acidify the rain and produce micro dust particles that have damaging impact on the temples, the natural environment and the people. Indeed, long-term damage is caused to the composition of in the sandstone, which can become discoloured, brittle and eroded, leading to a loss of the fine carving and bas-reliefs. The acid rain and dust do have a negative impact on vegetation and water sources, while the nano particles of pollutants cause all manner of respiratory disorders, and some of them are carcinogenic,” explained the report. “While the presence of lichen and microbiology on the stones and trees, which would die off in a highly polluted environment, suggest that the pollution level is not yet critical, the deteriorating air quality leaves us in no doubt that the time to act is now.”.

“We all prefer a doctor who keeps us healthy to a one that will give us strong medicines only when we are already sick – prevention is better than cure,” it added.

According to the report, APSARA is committed to the implementation of an increasingly eco-friendly and green tourism with an integrated and holistic approach. There will be a systematic and scientific collection of new data to evaluate the extent and the effects of pollution at Angkor. All efforts are being made to reinforce an ecological approach that, while reducing emissions and improving air quality. This will not only reduce negative impact on Angkor but at the same time enhance the visiting experience and involve the local community in the development process with education program incentives to recycle. This action is in the fact the main condition to preserve the values of the World Heritage Site.

In order to achieve a more sustainable and ecological management of the Angkor World Heritage Site, in 2013, APSARA created a working group to implement the Tourism Management Plan (TMP), which consists of national and international experts. One of the priority actions of this management plan – in collaboration with UNESCO and with support from the Australian government – is to improve the flow of tourists in Angkor in such a way that minimizes their impacts while ensuring a great visiting experience.

APSARA has recently established a special working group to systematically collect social and scientific data concerning emissions and pollution as well as their impact in order to prepare measured and effective responses to mitigate the damaging effects. Responses under consideration include upgrading of the weather stations in order to provide more accurate data on pollution levels in particular the acidity of the rainwater; concerting recycling program which would involve the education and motivation of the local community so as to not only make Angkor “greener” but to generate income at various level is being explored; and exploring the option of modernization of the tourist transportation system with a broad choice of more ecologically friendly solutions, which will actively maintain the involvement of the local people who are already involved with transportation field is also being studied.

Sourced: AKP

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