Strategic Management for the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve Conservation & Protection

Presented by: Mr KIM Nong, Deputy Director General

General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection , MINISTRY of ENVIRONMENT

UNWTO Regional Conference on Tourism Development in Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites

Siem Reap, Cambodia, 1 - 3 November 2013

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The Tonle Sap Great Lake A Unique Ecosystem

World’s top freshwater

fisheries

World’s largest snake harvest

Largest waterbird colonies

in SEA

Largest lake in SEA

Largest “flooded forest”

habitat in SEA A truly unique

ecosystem

Unique HYDROLOGY

ECOLOGY

ORNITHOLOGY

ECONOMY

HERPETOLOGY

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The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TBSR) encompasses natural, economic and cultural

values

Nat

ura

l

Biodiversity Hotspot Unique Hydrological Regime Most important wetland in Southeast Asia Largest seasonally flooded forest Largest colonies of endangered water birds Habitat of globally threatened animal species

Econ

omic

Directly supports more than a million people Provides the single largest source of protein One of the world's top freshwater fisheries One of Asia's largest rice bowls, One of the most attractive tourism destinations

Floating Villages established hundred years ago Traditional forms of land use Angkor, situated at the edge of the biosphere reserve is a World Heritage site.

Cu

ltu

ral

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Population and Development Pressure Threatens the Tonle Sap Great Lake

Loss of Flooded Forests

Over Fishing

Loss of Biodiversity

Land Use Change

Water Developments on the Mekong

Conflicts about the use of natural resources are the main cause for all major threats.

Poverty

Urbanization and population growth

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The Biosphere Reserve Concept addresses the need for conservation without neglecting the challenge

of development

• Conservation - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;

• Development - to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;

• Logistic Support - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.

Tonle Sap lake was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997 and by Royal Decree of the Royal Government of Cambodia in 2001 to fulfill three complementary functions:

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• Within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve consists of three zones:

1. The Core Area=42,300ha, 2. The Buffer Zone= 541,000ha,

and 3. The Transition Area=900,000ha

• The Core Areas (Boeung Tonle Chhmar, Stung Sen, and Prek Toal ) are representing unique ecosystems demarcated for long-term protection, and has been recognised as of global conservation significance, mainly due to breeding colonies of some of the world’s most threatened water birds,

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The TSBR Policy Framework provides a consistent way to meet the challenges

The Common Policy Framework consists of goals, strategies and activities, deriving from a management vision of the TSBR. It is achieved through partnership, knowledge building, and coordinated planning and management at local, national and regional levels.

Goal 1: Biodiversity Conservation and Habitat Restoration

Goal 2: Sustainable

Socioeconomic Development

Goal 3:

Supportive Initiatives

and Mechanisms Goal 1:

Biodiversity Conservation and Habitat Restoration

Goal 2: Sustainable

Socioeconomic Development

Goal 3:

Supportive Initiatives

and Mechanisms

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Specific Undertakings • Legal Reforms: Land Law, Water Law, Fisheries Law,

Forestry Law and Protected Area Law • Institutional coordination: Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve

Secretariat is created to promote technical coordination at TSBR level; and the Tonle Sap Basin Authority will be established to coordinate decision making at the basin level

• Knowledge building: Research/Monitoring, Database and Website are created

• Decentralization: Commune Councils and Community Based Organizations are promoted and empowered

• Common Policy and Strategy is developed to provide a platform for coordinated conservation and development

• Awareness Raising and capacity building on conservation, livelihoods, natural resources management is launched to target communities, schools, government officials, and the public at large

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One of Asia’s greatest conservation success stories in TSBR’s Core Area

• In 1990s, Prek Toal core area was massive annual egg and chick collection • MoE has been working and collaborating with local and International NGOs

to joint projects/programs in core areas for biodiversity conservation and protection, community livelihoods, especially on waterbirds protection,

• Conservation and environmental education programs have been supported to local communities, local agencies and environmental rangers.

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Now Prek Toal has the largest waterbird colonies worldwide (c.30% global population), and increasing in size

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2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011Years

Nests

Conclusion • The Tonle Sap Lake is a unique ecosystem supporting natural,

economic, and cultural values benefiting Cambodia and the region;

• Consistent institutional and legal reforms are key backbones for sustainable management of the Tonle Sap Lake;

• The TSBR common policy addresses the development needs in harmony with conservation based on partnership which provides a platform for coordinated management of the TSBR;

• Equitable access and resources stewardship by communities are critical for community empowerment and poverty alleviation;

• Sustainable biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement need to build understanding the interaction between human and natural environment. The concept of eco-tourism is one factor to improve both nature conservation and local livelihoods.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION