The Cambodian government has listed five new forests covering an area of approximately 950,000 hectares in the country's protected areas.

Prey long forest in Northern Cambodia covers approximately 3,600 km2 and contains seven distinct ecosystems. Prey Long Forest is home to over 20 endangered plant species as well as 27 endangered animal species. (source: wikipedia.com)

Kratié  Province is located northeast of Cambodia and boarders Stung Treng which are both protected areas. Forests in Kratié tend to be open and less dense than elsewhere in Cambodia; they are generally made up of deciduous trees that lose their leaves during the dry season. (source: wikipedia.com)

Environment Minister Say Samal said the new five protected areas would be "Prey Long forest in Kompong Thom, Kratie and Stung Treng provinces; Kravanh Khang Tbong forest in Koh Kong, Pursat and Kompong Speu provinces; Preah Roka forest in Preah Vihear province; Siem Pang Khang Lech forest in Stung Treng province and Veunsai forest in Stung Treng and Ratanakkiri provinces." 

Chay Samith, chief of the General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection at the Ministry of Environment, said to date, "some 23 forests with a total of 5.5 million hectares had been registered as protected areas nationwide." (source: iol.com)  

• ‹ A new discovery which may combat tree disease 

• Has community for