Ministry wants dolphin areas on Unesco list
THE Environment Ministry has been tasked with compiling data on four areas that are home to Irrawaddy dolphins in Kratie and Preah Vihear provinces.
The report is in preparation for possible inclusion on the Unesco World Natural Heritage List.
Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra said Cambodia is already recognised by Unesco for cultural heritage, including Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear Temple and the Sambor Prei Kuk temple group, along with other intangible cultural treasures.
“Cambodia doesn’t only have Prek Kampi which is an Irrawaddy dolphin conservation area that we have studied and documented for Unesco. We have four places we have studied and documented in preparation for being included on the Unesco World Heritage List,” Pheaktra said.
The four areas are Prek Kampi Dolphin Conservation Area, Prek Prasob Wildlife Sanctuary, Phnom Tbeng Natural Heritage Site and Tmat Boey Natural Tourism Community.
Pheaktra said there are only three countries in the world that are home to the Irrawaddy dolphin and
Cambodia has the most, with 92 Irrawaddy dolphins. Indonesia and Myanmar have around 60.
He said Cambodia has taken another step in compiling a list of natural potential areas. In the last 20 years, the number of Cambodian Irrawaddy dolphins is estimated to have increased by 13 to 18.
Pheaktra said once the documentation is complete and submitted to Unesco, he hopes it will help protect and conserve dolphin areas and attract tourists.
According to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report, Irrawaddy dolphins or Mekong dolphins live in three major river systems and two lakes around the world.
These include the Mekong River in Cambodia, the Mhakam River in Indonesia, the Ayeyawaddy River in Myanmar, the Sungkla River in Thailand and the Chilika Lake in India.
WWF said the Irrawaddy dolphin is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
In collaboration with the fisheries administration, WWF plans to release the estimated number of Irrawaddy dolphins next month.