Cambodia’s Tonle Sap is already one of Southeast Asia’s great wildlife spectacles. Now, one of its most important corners is on track for some serious regional recognition.
Prek Toal Ramsar, a 20,000-hectare wetland in Battambang province, is set to become Cambodia’s third ASEAN Heritage Park, after ASEAN Member States unanimously backed its nomination this month. Final approval now rests with the ASEAN Environment Ministers.
Sitting at the northwestern edge of Tonle Sap Lake, Prek Toal is considered Southeast Asia’s largest waterbird sanctuary. More than 20,000 nesting waterbirds have regularly been recorded here since 2001, including endangered greater adjutants and masked finfoots. And the guest list gets even wilder.
The flooded forests and waterways provide habitat for critically endangered river terrapins and Siamese crocodiles, alongside giant barb and Mekong giant catfish.
In other words, you wouldn’t wanna paddle around this pretty wetland.
In all seriousness though, ASEAN Heritage Park status could mean more funding, research and conservation support for Prek Toal (yay). But there’s another potential winner: travellers.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment expects the designation to help grow ecotourism around the wetland, bringing more visitors, researchers and investment into the region. For the floating communities who call Prek Toal home, that could create new opportunities in everything from boat trips and homestays to guiding, food and handicrafts.
RELATED ⟶ CRUISING CAMBODIA’S MIGHTY MEKONG
Done properly, it gives locals another reason to protect the ecosystem their livelihoods depend on, while giving travellers a very good reason to venture beyond Cambodia’s usual temple-and-beach circuit.
Cambodia currently has two ASEAN Heritage Parks, Virachey National Park and Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, both recognised in 2003. Prek Toal could soon make it three.
And with tens of thousands of birds overhead, floating villages below and some seriously prehistoric creatures lurking beneath the water, this is one heritage listing worth keeping an eye on. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Share >
Kirk Owers hops on a cruise boat to explore the Mekong River, the lifeblood of Cambodia and Southern Vietnam, and absorbs a history lesson by osmosis as he drifts along the mighty waterway.
Knai Bang Chatt – Kep, Cambodia
Where sustainable luxury, wild adventure and sea-sparkled serenity redefine what it means to travel well.
