Blaze destroys 500 hectares of rubber plantation
April 1, 2019
Sen David / Khmer Times
More than 500 hectares of a rubber plantation on Saturday were destroyed in a blaze that spread from a forest fire in Kampong Thom province’s Santuk district.
According to a National Police report yesterday, the forest blaze spread to 530 hectares of the rubber plantation in Ti Por commune.
“Authorities used seven fire trucks to extinguish it and 530 hectares out of 800 hectares of the plantation were destroyed,” it said. “The blaze spread from a nearby forest.”
Thiv Van Thy, provincial Agriculture Department director, yesterday said the rubber plantation belongs to Korean company BNA.
“The company invested in the rubber plantation in that area and 530 hectares of it have been destroyed,” he said.
Neth Pheaktra, spokesman of the Ministry of Environment, yesterday said Cambodia is now suffering from the El Nino weather phenomenon which is causing a hot and dry spell, noting that rains are not forecast for another two months.
He said wildfires, due to human and natural factors, can easily occur because of the hot and dry conditions.
“The main cause of fires is through burning to clear forests for planting crops, resettlement or catching wildlife,” he said.
In January, the ministry issued a forest fire alert over the dry season. It said people must be careful not to burn waste in or around protected forests and local authorities must also prepare contingency plans to fight forest fires to prevent the flames from spreading.
The ministry said that in case of a serious forest fire, the authorities should immediately alert people living nearby and evacuate animals.
“After a forest fire, the authorities must also collaborate with relevant sub-national administrations to prohibit people from inhabiting the cleared areas to allow for regrowth,” it added.
The ministry also reminded people that it is an offense to intentionally cause a fire in a protected area and those caught will be punished according to the law.
It added that it is confident that the public and relevant authorities will heed its warning.
Link: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50592049/blaze-destroys-500-hectares-of-rubber-plantation/