Angkor in environmental management audit

The Angkor Archaeological Park and its custodians the Apsara Authority will undergo an audit to keep their environmental management certification, a task made challenging due to the rapid rate of development that has transformed Siem Reap into a booming tourist town over the past decade.

photo credit: NYC-MetroCard

Angkor Wat to face audit
Phnom Penh Post, 26 January 2011

A Japanese organisation will review environmental standards at the Angkor Wat temple complex next month, measuring it against international standards for environmental management, officials said.

Chhor Thanat, deputy director general of the Apsara Authority, which manages the temple complex, said on Friday that the Japan Quality Assurance Organisation would conduct the audit in a bid to ensure the authority’s adherence to international Environmental Management Standards.

He said the Apsara Authority must fulfill 66 conditions involving the levels of waste and water pollution at Angkor Wat and nearby Siem Reap town in order to receive EMS certification from them in 2012.

“There were 65 conditions in 2010 and 66 for 2011. Next month the JQA will come to audit,” he said.

Follow the rest of the article in the Phnom Penh Post.