TONLE SAP BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Royal Decree on the Establishment and Management of Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve
The Tonle Sap Great Lake, is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and supplies life to one of Asia's largest rice bowls. Its existence revolves around seasonal cycles: in the dry season, it is a shallow lake with a surface of 2500 km2. When the monsoon begins, (in June/July) the swollen waters of the Mekong River forces the Tonle Sap River, to reverse its flow northwards, feeding the Great Lake and spreading over the surrounding flood plain. In Setember, the height of monsoon, the lake swells to 5 time its size, covering an area of approximately 12000 km2 with a maximum depth ranging from 8 up to 10 meters. Interestingly, it is on the northwestern shore of the lake, surrounded by stratehgic hills, that the ancient Khmer kings established their capital from the 9th to the 13th century.
The Tonle Sap Lake was designated as Multiple-Use Pretected Area by Royal Decree in November 1993, after which the Lake was successfully nominated as Biosphere Reserve in October 1997 under Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme of UNESCO. The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve aims to fulfil three complementary functions: conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, and species diversity; culturally, socially, and ecologically sustainable development; and research, monitoring, and education.
Management of Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve is based on zoning into three zones (namely core areas, buffer zone, and transition zone) of different mangement purposes. The core areas are demarcated for long term protection and conservation likewise the nationa park. Three locations are defined as core areas of Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve: Prek Toal (31,282 ha), Boeng Tonle Chhamar/Moat Khla (32,969 ha), and Stung Sen (6586 ha). These core areas are unique ecosystem of high conservation value.
Prepared by TCU
The Variety of inter-connected streams, lakes, flooded plain, and wetland vegetation, together with unique hydrological regime of the Great Lake, support a rich biological diversity such as aquatic plants, fish, waterfowls, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and microorganisms.
Photo by Nicolai Doroshenko
Nearl two thirds of the lake flood plain at the medium flooding level is covered by aquatic plant community, listing more than 190 plant species. The wetland forest plays a vital role in sustaining the natural reproduction of biological resources, which interact as a giant food chain.
More than 200 fish species are found in the Lake water, of which 70 are of commercial value. The fish catch from the lake is accounted for 60% of the total freshwater fish production. At present, there is concern about the fish stock decline, indicated by the depletion of several large fish species, large proportion of small fish per catch sample, and decreased fish catch per gear.
The abundantk, coupled with diversified wetland habitats, provide an excellent living condition for many water birds species. Surveys reveal more than hundred bird species, of which a dozen is considered as of international importance.
Tonle Sap Lake is also home to a number of reptile and mammal species.. 23 snake species, 13 turtle species, a crocodile species, macaque, capped languor, leopard cat, otter are found in the inundated forest of Tonle Sap Lake.
The variety and status of bio-diversity in the Great Lake is insufficiently known and understood. Research and monitoring program need to be planned on wildlife, fish, plant, photo and zoo-plankton, water quality and ecology. Under current rate of exploitation, some species may become extinct before research is undertaken. Let's help to protect wetland bio-diversity, because bio-diversity is our food, medicine, energy, and home.
Source: Battambang Fishery Office
The rich natural resources of Tonle Sap Lake are the primary reason for the community to be settle within the inundated area. Most of the floating villages were established hundred years ago probably due to their fishing and fishery-related activities. Since then, their traditional way of life does not change too much, and still fishing is the major source of income for the majority of the villagers.
Photo by Etienne Baijot
Additional source of income includes fish processing, fish cage culture, crocodile and snake farming, duck raising, firewood collection, wildlife hunting, reed and rattan collection, and small-scale agriculture.
Photo by Etienne Baijot
Please come to Prek Toal Core Area (or Boeng Tonle Chhmar) if you want to enjoy:
Access: boat travel about one hour from Chong Kneas (Siem Reap province) to Prek Toal village (Battambang province). Upon arriving in Prek Toal you need to arrange the visit with the staff of the Environmental Research Station.
Best time for visit: Jan - March
Photo by Neou Bonheur