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UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, conducted consultations with local communities and officials at the Boeung Tonle Chhmar and Stung Sen core areas of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.

Enlisted as part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 1997, Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve is an internationally-recognized learning site for sustainable development. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, enforced by Royal Decree of the Royal Government of Cambodia in 2001, is a unique ecosystem, harbouring rich biodiversity, and providing significant socio-economic and cultural values for Cambodia. It is intricately linked to the Mekong river system, through an annual flood-pulse which causes the Tonle Sap lake to expand nearly four-times its size during the wet season.  

The objective of the consultations was to undertake a situation-analysis, and engage with local communities and officials at the core areas of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, to promote conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and sustainable livelihoods development, through a scientific solutions-based approach. During the consultations, the team met with provincial, district and commune leadership, officials from provincial administration, rangers, local police, and members of the local community, including fishermen. Representatives of Institute of Technology of Cambodia, and the Pannasastra University of Cambodia, joined the consultations at the Stung Sen core area, to share scientific insights.

During the interaction with fishermen and members of the Community Protected Area (CPA) in Balot, Peam Bang Commune, the participants indicated that the fish catch has been declining in the last three years due to low level of water in the wet season, flooded forest fires in the dry season, and climate change. Fishing is the primary occupation of communities in and around the core areas, which are increasingly vulnerable due to depleting natural resources.

The Commune administration, in the Boeung Chhmar and Stung Sen core areas, recognized the need to promote alternative livelihoods for communities in the core-areas, including through eco-tourism and nature-based activities such as sustainable beekeeping. The Kampong Thom provincial administration noted that protection of natural resources, strengthened fisheries communities and climate change adaptation, are prioritized as part of the provincial administration plan. However, there is a need to enhance resources and capacities of local officials and stakeholders, to ensure effective implementation of the plan.    

During the interaction with Rangers, it was discussed that there is a need to enhance efforts to raise awareness among communities about the unique ecological and socio-economic benefits provided by the core areas, such as maintaining environmental quality, and providing an ecological resource bank. Along with augmenting support for patrolling and monitoring of core areas, it is essential to strengthen coordination mechanisms among different institutions to curb illegal activities, especially in and around the core areas, and strengthen capacities to promote effective co-management practices based on sound scientific-solutions.

The consultations are undertaken as part of UNESCO’s Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve project, with generous support from the European Union, through the FAO Complementary Support to the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector: Capture Component (CAPFISH-Capture). The project aims to provide a robust coordination architecture for the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, to preserve the lake’s resources and sustainably improve livelihoods of local communities.

Following consultations at the core areas, rapid assessments will be conducted by UNESCO, in close cooperation with partners, to further assess and update the zonation and management plans of the Boeung Tonle Chhmar and Stung Sen core areas, and develop recommendations for strengthening coordination for their effective management. Socio-economic livelihoods of the communities living in and around the specified core areas are being mapped and assessed, and possibilities to introduce innovative technologies and mechanisms, for enhancing resilience of local communities will be studied.

In recent times, the Tonle Sap is facing increasing risk of environmental degradation, loss of habitat, and unsustainable use of natural resources. Climate change is exacerbating the pressure on the lake, threatening not only its ecology, but also the livelihoods of millions who depend on it. The multi-stakeholder and multi-dimensional nature of Tonle Sap, and its geographical magnitude spanning over 14,000 square kilometres, requires integrated scientific and policy solutions. Enhanced cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders at the Tonle Sap is key to effective management and sustainable development of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.

Biosphere Reserves are UNESCO-designated sites, as part of the , which is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.   

For more information, kindly contact Sriharsha Masabathula, Associate Project Officer (Science) (s.masabathula@unesco.org) and Nissay Sam, National Project Officer (Science) (n.sam@unesco.org) at UNESCO Phnom Penh Office.