New green terraces unveiled in Phnom Kulen to boost eco-tourism

13 May 2025 26 | Cambodia Travel News

Ten newly built Community Green Terraces in the Jayavarman-Norodom Phnom Kulen National Park are now open to visitors, offering a blend of natural beauty, traditional Khmer architecture, and environmentally friendly recreation.

Completed by the Ministry of Environment, the terraces are part of a broader initiative to promote eco-tourism, strengthen local livelihoods, and conserve natural resources through community-based development.

Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth said the terraces—designed in traditional Khmer style with modern amenities—fall under the Ministry’s “Green Leisure Destination” initiative. They will be managed by the Prey Thom Anlong Community Protected Area and are intended to serve as eco-friendly spaces for camping, relaxation, and nature exploration for both domestic and international tourists.

“The initiative supports forest protection and community development, in line with the guidance of Prime Minister Hun Manet,” Minister Sophalleth said. “It also reflects the government’s Circular Strategy on Environment aimed at promoting sustainable living.”

Phnom Kulen was first designated as a protected area under a royal decree in 1993. Its scope was significantly expanded in 2017 with the addition of the 25,383-hectare Northern Biodiversity Conservation Corridor.

During a visit to the park in February last year, Minister Sophalleth explored its potential for eco-tourism and cultural heritage preservation. His tour included key locations such as the Sok An Phnom Kulen Orchid Research and Conservation Centre—the Kingdom’s only dedicated orchid research facility.

Aligned with national planning documents such as the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1 and the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023–2028, the Ministry of Environment is currently developing a long-term eco-tourism strategy for the park. A green recreational corridor has been established across five community-protected areas on Phnom Kulen, each with unique natural and cultural features.