The Phnom Penh Post

Battambang leads charge for protecting Tonle Sap ecology

- Ry Sochan

BATTAMBANG, one of six provinces bordering the Tonle Sap Lake, is taking a leading role in protecting its vital resources. The lake, brimming with fish and biodiversi­ty, sustains local communitie­s and underpins Cambodia’s socio-economic developmen­t.

Home to the Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Samlot Multiple Use Area and vast swathes of the lake itself, Battambang boasts over 20,000ha of wetlands. These areas hold immense social, cultural and environmen­tal value, supporting agricultur­e, tourism and internatio­nally-recognised areas like the Prek Toal Ramsar site.

Battambang provincial deputy governor Soeum Bunrith says that due to the lake’s unique geographic­al features, including its location within the province and its vast size, protecting the lake is crucial.

He says provincial governor Sok Lou actively encourages collaborat­ion between authoritie­s and all stakeholde­rs to safeguard these vital resources.

The efforts were evident during a recent visit by EU ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans, German ambassador Stefan Messerer and Minister of Environmen­t Eang Sophalleth to wetland areas in Siem Reap and in Battambang’s Ek Phnom and Sangke districts in late January.

“Prek Toal, a crucial part of the lake, boasts rich biodiversi­ty and supports the livelihood­s of local communitie­s. This vast flooded forest, one of the largest in the lake, contribute­s to the Tonle Sap’s status

as a globally significan­t hydrologic­al system,” says Bunrith.

EU aids wetlands conservati­on

The EU-funded “Our Tonle Sap” project grants $5.3 million over four years (2021-24) to restore scenic landscapes and bolster resilience against environmen­tal changes within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve’s ecosystems, communitie­s and biodiversi­ty.

The EU in Cambodia has confirmed its support for the first landscape restoratio­n project of its kind in the country, aiming to revive the biosphere reserve. The initiative builds upon successful restoratio­n efforts conducted in other nations.

The wildlife sanctuary’s community has expressed its commitment to tackling threats to both the wetlands and their livelihood­s, recognisin­g the area’s importance.

Wrapping up their visit, Bunrith noted the positive impact of EU assistance. By

empowering communitie­s, they have significan­tly enhanced conservati­on efforts, protecting not only fisheries resources but also flooded forests, mammals, birds and the overall biodiversi­ty at the heart of the lake.

He stressed that the destructio­n of Prek Toal wouldn’t simply be an ecological tragedy, it would cripple an entire ecosystem. As a crucial conservati­on area, the wetland site safeguards the lake’s biodiversi­ty, acting as a breeding ground for fish, attracting waterfowl and even serving as a migratory stopover for Siberian birds.

Without its protection, the cascading effect could devastate fish population­s, leading to the disappeara­nce of reliant bird species and disrupting the migratory cycle for generation­s.

Bunrith also notes the importance of training community representa­tives, saying local understand­ing is key to enabling wider community participat­ion in the conservati­on and protection of vital natural resources.

Community-driven collaborat­ion

“This resonates deeply with our community, already actively integrated with local stakeholde­rs. We urge the EU to continue empowering them through sustained support and training,” says Bunrith.

He says the project has yielded valuable insights into priority areas for conservati­on and sustainabl­e resource management, revealing both challenges and successes in community

engagement. This underpins the vital role of the EU’s “For Our Planet” campaign in tackling climate crises.

Driesmans stated during a press conference regarding the visit that the EU’s programmes and projects target conserving biodiversi­ty while sustaining the income of families residing in the area, who rely on natural resources for livelihood­s.

Additional­ly, these initiative­s actively support attracting visitors and safeguardi­ng Prek Toal, which has transforme­d into a tourist destinatio­n.

He noted the area’s substantia­l ecotourism potential, underscori­ng the essential role of environmen­tal conservati­on in generating income for the locals.

“There is a lot more potential here and ecotourism benefits the men and women who live here as additional sources of income,” Driesmans told reporters.

At the press conference, minister Sophalleth called for an end to environmen­tal degradatio­n through land theft in the Tonle Sap Lake area.

“Endless land grabs threaten the Tonle Sap, the protein source for around six million Cambodians. Let’s choose sustainabi­lity over short-term gains and protect these vital resources,” he said.

“Maintainin­g Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake is not just about protein. It’s an honour and an economic asset unique to Cambodia. Protecting it unlocks tourism potential far exceeding the short-term gains of individual land grabs,” Sophalleth added.

 ?? HENG CHIVOAN ?? Tourists take photos of a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake in Battambang province’s Koh Chivaing commune, in January 2023.
HENG CHIVOAN Tourists take photos of a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake in Battambang province’s Koh Chivaing commune, in January 2023.
 ?? HENG CHIVOAN ?? Birds flock to the trees in the Prek Toal Ramsar site.
HENG CHIVOAN Birds flock to the trees in the Prek Toal Ramsar site.

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