The APSARA National Authority welcomes the focus placed on the problem of air pollution at Angkor in the article “In Cambodia, toxic air threatens timeless ruins” by Denise Hruby, published in the Cambodia Daily on July 21st 2014. APSARA wishes to add some points of background and explanation of how seriously the authority is taking this issue.
Background
In 1992, Angkor was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on the basis of four different criteria; it was regarded not only as a “masterpiece of human genius” but also because of its landscape, traditional settlement and human interaction with the environment.
The conservation of these values, which make Angkor so outstanding, lies at the heart of the mission of the APSARA National Authority, which for 20 years has worked closely with the international community in the development and implementation of policies and methods aimed at achieving the most effective and sustainable conservation of the site.
While emergency conservation of the temples was initially the main problem, with the increasing visitor numbers, the management of tourism and the conservation of the environment is becoming a more pressing concern.
What is the situation?
The visitor numbers in Angkor are yearly increasing- about 4 millions in 2013. This, in turn, increases the number of vehicles as well as the frequency of trips, thereby generating more exhaust gases, which are high in pollutants due to the poor condition of the majority of vehicles. The increasing number of vehicles also creates traffic jam in the park, which not only deteriorates from the visitors’ experience but also increases the amount of gaseous emissions.
Another contributing factor is that still today, local communities in Angkor that have traditionally practiced burning off rice fields, as well as leaves and trees debris, have used smoke as a mean of mosquito repellent to protect humans and domestic animal at night, are today burning their household rubbish, which now includes a high quantity of plastics and PVC which contains many dangerous toxins including dioxins and heavy metals which are extremely hazardous to the health and the environment.
APSARA yearly hosts two times the ICC (International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and the Development of the Historical Site of Angkor), established in 1993, composed of donor countries and national and international experts in conservation and sustainable development. Dr. Shinji Tsukawaki, quoted in the article “In Cambodia, toxic air threatens timeless ruins”, is one of the experts on sustainable development group and who has been working with ICC and APSARA for a number of years now.
This is evidently not a new problem and in order to address climate issues, APSARA has several years ago installed weather stations that are currently measuring climatic data such as wind speeds, rainfall etc.
What is the impact?
The burning of fossil fuels (petrol/diesel) produces gases that acidify the rain and produce micro dust particles that have damaging impact on the temples, the natural environment and the people.
Indeed, long-term damage is caused to the composition of in the sandstone, which can become discoloured, brittle and eroded, leading to a loss of the fine carving and bas-reliefs. The acid rain and dust do have a negative impact on vegetation and water sources, while the nano particles of pollutants cause all manner of respiratory disorders, and some of them are carcinogenic.
While the presence of lichen and microbiology on the stones and trees, which would die off in a highly polluted environment, suggest that the pollution level is not yet critical, the deteriorating air quality leaves us in no doubt that the time to act is now. We all prefer a doctor who keeps us healthy to a one that will give us strong medicines only when we are already sick – prevention is better than cure.
What is our strategy?
In order to achieve a more sustainable and ecological management of the Angkor World Heritage Site, in 2013 APSARA created a working group to implement the Tourism Management Plan (TMP), which consists of national and international experts. One of the priority actions of this management plan – in collaboration with UNESCO and with support from the Australian government - is to improve the flow of tourist in Angkor in such a way that minimizes their impacts while ensuring a great visiting experience.
APSARA has recently established a special working group to systematically collect social and scientific data concerning emissions and pollution as well as their impact in order to prepare measured and effective responses to mitigate the damaging effects. Responses under consideration are:
1- upgrading of the weather stations in order to provide more accurate data on pollution levels in particular the acidity of the rainwater.
2- concerting recycling program which would involve the education and motivation of the local community so as to not only make Angkor “greener” but to generate income at various level is being explored.
3- exploring the option of modernization of the tourist transportation system with a broad choice of more ecologically friendly solutions, which will actively maintain the involvement of the local people who are already involved with transportation field is also being studied.
CONCLUSION
The air pollution problem in Angkor is in fact not a new issue, as well as Angkor is not the only World Heritage Site in the globe to face this problem of air pollution. From the Acropolis in Greece, to the Taj Mahal in India, the Yungang and Longmen Grottoes in China and the Seville Cathedral in Spain – all are facing a similar threat. However, Angkor is the only World Heritage Site to be certified ISO 14001 since 2004.
APSARA is committed to the implementation of an increasingly eco-friendly and green tourism with an integrated and holistic approach. There will be a systematic and scientific collection of new data to evaluate the extent and the effects of pollution at Angkor. All efforts are being made to reinforce an ecological approach that, while reducing emissions and improving air quality. This will not only reduce negative impact on Angkor but at the same time enhance the visiting experience and involve the local community in the development process with education programmes and incentives to recycle.
This action is in the fact the main condition to preserve the values of the World Heritage Site.
Written by Sok Sangvar
Head, Angkor Tourism Management Plan
APSARA