Like its cousin, Borassus Aethiopium, which can be found in certain parts of Africa, the Borassus Flabellifer is a major feature of South-East Asian – and particularly Cambodian – landscapes.
The Thnôt has gone through the same historic hazards as its country. Many palm trees have been cut down during wartimes, and the Thnôt was even considered archaic and harmful during the dark period of the seventies.
Nowadays, there are about 3 million sugar palm trees. These palm trees should be preserved in order to avoid desolating landscapes and erosion. This is a considerable challenge, as the reputation of the sugar palm tree’s wood – considered stiff and rotproof – has led to a massive export-bound logging over the past few years. The danger comes from the fact that the Thnôt grows relatively slowly compared to other species and traditionally benefits from the farmers’ practices. Thus, farmers usually sow its fruit at regular intervals along the roads, dikes and around houses and villages.
The programme of Confirel aims at preserving an arboricultural resource over the long term, since |
