The Koh Rong archipelago off the coast of Sihanoukville—which encompasses seven islands: Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Koun, Koh Touch, Koh Tatiem, Koh Mnoas Krav and Koh Mnoas Knong—are now placed under Cambodia’s first marine national park, the Koh Rong National Park, following a sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen. The establishment of the new national park, which covers 52,448 hectares of land and water surface, aims to protect the national resources and biodiversity of the islands, while promoting ecotourism initiatives with a small ecological footprint. The Ministry of Environment is responsible for the management of the Koh Rong National Park, a task it will perform in cooperation with other relevant ministries and local authorities. (Source: Khmer Times)