• Society

Tourism Sector Calls for Better Waste Management in Battambang

• By Chhum Chantha
• January 4, 2024 2:10 PM

BATTAMBANG – Waste management in Battambang province is still lacking, especially along the Sangkae River, sidewalks, and tourism sites, said workers in the tourism sector. They are requesting relevant authorities to pay more attention to the matter. 

To Bo Sophea, a tour guide, Battambang province has a high touristic potential with its rich history, temples, local food, arts, and rural landscapes. Such diversity attracts a great number of tourists and Battambang stands in a good place in every guidebook about Cambodia.

But the northwest province needs improved waste management, especially along the Sangkae River, sidewalks, and tourism sites, said the guide. 

Aiming to increase the attractiveness of the province, Sophea, as a worker in the tourism sector, asked the authority to strengthen provincial waste management. 

He condemned the waste situation, especially in Sampov Mountain (Phnom Sampov), and along the Sangkae River, which goes through the city and its rich architectural heritage.

“The provincial waste management is not good yet, especially at Phnom Sampov and along the Sangkae River. It should be cleaned because I feel so ashamed when I guide tourists there. They are talking about the waste a lot,” he said. 

Adding to these requests, Peng Ang, a three-wheel tuk-tuk driver, also wants to see some changes along the roads. He points at waste collection, kids begging for money, and teenagers smoking at tourism sites as the three main priorities.

The driver says such behaviors might “make tourists feel insecure and judge the character of Cambodians.” He asked the authorities to examine these issues to improve the situation.

In response, the director of Battambang province's environment department, Kort Boran, admitted that there were still shortcomings in waste management, but claimed that the situation was not yet too serious and was not causing foul odors.

Compared to other provinces, Battambang province has better waste management, which has earned it numerous awards and medals as a clean tourist city.

In 2024, the provincial tourism department, in collaboration with the provincial administration, will increase fines and invite waste collection companies to fully implement provincial waste management principles.

There are waste collection companies and a large landfill that started operating earlier this year, said Boran, adding that the ministry was committed to filling these gaps to make the province a leading tourist site in terms of sanitation.

“There is always little trash along the way, and I admit that. It might be a late response from the waste-collecting companies. In 2024, we will tighten the fines and encourage companies to add garbage trucks to comply with government policies. We will improve on what we lack,” he said.

In 2023, Battambang province was listed as one of the seven cities winning the Clean City Awards For 2022-2025 and won the “Best Countdown City” title.

 

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Meng Seavmey for Cambodianess.