Proceedings of National Workshop on Priority Tree Species

possess gradually declining genetic properties. Following the logging operation, tree
species favoring light closes the gap areas unless good logging operation and management
in the concession is enforced, therefore protection <strong>of</strong> the gene resource is an urgent task at
the present.
Due to demand and utilization and high market price <strong>of</strong> commercial trees, rare and
endangered species are going to be extinct locally, for instance Cha Crassna, Neng Noun,
Beng, Thnoung, Dey Khlar, Tatrav, Kokie, Doung Chem [Aquilaria crassna, Dalbergia
bariensis, Afzelia xylocarpa, Pterocarpus spp., Gardenia ankoriensis, Fragraea fragrans,
Hopea odorata and Terrietia javanica]. If no action is taken to preserve and conserve those
species from now on and in the proper ways, next generation would not know these
species. So, conservation <strong>of</strong> genetic sources <strong>of</strong> indigenous species is <strong>of</strong> critical
significance in the contribution to protection <strong>of</strong> natural resources in the region and
worldwide. Management and conservation <strong>of</strong> important species in Cambodia is an urgent
mission to sustain the resources as well as to strengthen the planting <strong>of</strong> those tree species
and reforestation, which is a national asset, particularly enhances biodiversity <strong>of</strong> the
nature where needed.
Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, under the financial assistance <strong>of</strong> the Royal
Government <strong>of</strong> Denmark through Danida acting as a coordinator for five Southeast Asia
countries - Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam - which are developing a
cooperation to rehabilitate environment and natural resources <strong>of</strong> each country, to train and
build up human capacity in the institution and to exchange experiences and scientific
information, to provide a tree seed center and seed source areas, by which it makes
forested areas in Southeast Asia maintaining tree gene pool gradually. Meanwhile,
Cambodia needs to restore the baseline information and data and scientific documentation
on tree species and to classify all forests existing at moment as following:
- Collect comprehensive statistics <strong>of</strong> commercial and valuable tree species as well as rare
ones and classify them: endangered, tree species with fibers, medicinal plants and well
adopted tree species to all climates and environmental conditions,
- Write history for humanity to understand and protect nature and culture,
- Establish a budget for tree seed projects in order to plant in a given area or similar
development.
To implement the above tasks it is necessary to have finance and technical assistance and
more efforts from pr<strong>of</strong>essional forest institutions.
The workshop today aims to present to all participants the utilization <strong>of</strong> priority tree
species that supports reforestation in the Provinces based on the discussion topics and
outcome from group discussions. Comments, suggestion and recommendation <strong>of</strong> the
attendees are welcome and appreciated in order to develop a strategy for management and
use <strong>of</strong> tree seed sources in proper and improved ways.
Lastly but not least, I would like to acknowledge DANIDA that fully supports the
development <strong>of</strong> Cambodia Tree Seed Project, particularly thanks to Mr. Jens Aare Olsen,
CTA and project staffs and counterparts that contribute efforts and time to organize such a
workshop.
I wish Your Excellency, Ladies, Gentlemen and participants success in our task and would
like to declare the workshop open. Thank you.
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