PHNOM PENH: The King of Cambodia, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, has designated Phnom Tamao as a protected zoological park, forest and botanical garden, in order to ensure the sustainability and conservation of the wildlife area, including the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of forest, dissemination of education, research and tourism services.

In the Royal Decree signed 19 August 2022, King Norodom Sihamoni ordered the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to manage the Phnom Tamao zoological park and botanical garden, to protect the wildlife area and develop it sustainably.

In the Royal Decree, the King also ordered for Phnom Tamao to be rehabilitated with luxury wood species of high economic value, to develop the area as a natural tourist destination, for the national culture and history.

Efforts to conserve, treat and rehabilitate the area include the creation of green cover to enhance the beauty of the region and promote the conservation of genetic resources, plants and wildlife for sustainable development of natural resources.

The Phnom Tamao Protected Zoological Park and Botanical Garden has a total area of 2,025 hectares in Bati District, Takeo Province, and is divided into three areas: the Protected Forest Area for Wildlife Rehabilitation with an area of 1,021 hectares, the Luxury Trees and Botanical Garden with an area of 530 hectares and Phnom Tamao Zoological Park, where wildlife care, treatment, education, promotion and tourism services will take place, with an area of 474 hectares.