AKP Phnom Penh, June 25, 2026 --

Three Cambodian Ministers swept through the Cardamom Mountains National Park on Wednesday, inspecting routes for a flagship “Green Leisure Corridor” meant to wire eco-tourism, history, and local livelihoods into one protected spine.

Environment Minister H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Rural Development Minister H.E. Chhay Rithisen, and Water Resources Minister H.E. Thor Chetha led the June 24 ground check across Koh Kong and Kampong Speu provinces, focusing on community-to-community links that would stitch together high-potential nature sites and cultural landmarks inside the park’s ecosystem.

The corridor, a pet project of the Environment Ministry, aims to marry conservation with revenue – drawing visitors to pristine forests and historic spots while keeping development light. Officials stressed that communities will not be sidelined: residents are being tapped as co-managers, not bystanders, so that jobs and profits stay local.

“Strengthening green leisure destinations here will lift village incomes directly,” the Ministry said in a statement, adding that the plan also tightens protection for biodiversity and water resources across the corridor zone. No construction timeline was given, but the ministerial-level sweep signals the project is moving from blueprint to boots-on-the-ground reality.

By K. Rithy Reak