The organization, whose name means green shade, has several environmental education projects in three pagodas and 20 schools in the district. It teaches police, monks, teachers, students and local officials about the importance of trees.
Trees provide medicine and fruit for local populations, and they also clean the air and water.
Cambodia s forests suffer from exploitation by the timber industry and locals who gather too much material to sell as firewood. Garcia said Mlup Baitong is encouraging businesses to participate in projects such as the tree planting. We want to create a sort of interest from private enterprise companies in the environment, he said. Street children from Friends also will participate. Tuesday s planting will only be ceremonial, because World Tree Day doesn t fit in with Cambodia s seasons.