Temples a nature-culture blend: official

via Phnom Penh Post, 31 May 2021: Many environmentally-protected areas in Cambodia also have archaeological sites.

Across the country, 857 out of over 5,300 ancient temples are located in natural protected areas, 426 of which are in the Phnom Kulen National Park, according to a report from the Ministry of Environment.

The ministry’s report released on May 30 said the number of archaeological sites in natural protected areas and within biodiversity corridors in deeply forested areas could actually be even greater in number than that shown in the most current surveys.

It said more than 70 natural protected areas and conservation corridors across 21 provinces covering 73 million hectares amounted to around 41 per cent of Cambodian territory.

The areas and biodiversity corridors not only abound with natural resources, timber, wild animals and plants but are also important archaeological sites and ancient storehouses of culture and tradition in Cambodia, the ministry said.

Source: Temples a nature-culture blend: official | Phnom Penh Post