Between Kratie and Stung Treng towns, in northeast Cambodia, a remote 55km section of the Mekong River, that scientists have termed the ‘Central Section’, has been discovered to be of high biodiversity value both nationally and globally. Discoveries included one new species to science, 24 new species records for Cambodia and 36 fauna species that are globally threatened and listed under the “IUCN Red List”, including breeding populations of birds, primates and turtles.

The findings are the result of a series of surveys jointly conducted by WWF, Fisheries Administration (FiA) and Forestry Administration (FA) of the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in 2006/7. Among many exciting discoveries, the survey team recorded a new plant species (Amorphophallus sp., known as ‘corpse plants’) for science, as well as new national records of rare plants, fish and one reptile. The largest global populations of two bird species, White-shoulder Ibis and Mekong Wagtail, were found, as well as some of the largest breeding colonies in Southeast Asia of Plain Martin and nests of an endangered giant turtle. Of equal significance was the discovery of a near pristine region of tall riverine forest, waterways and island archipelagos, and a remarkable uninhabited section of river 40-50 km long.

FiA, FA and WWF compiled this fascinating research information and produced in late 2008 their first detailed scientific report titled ‘Biological surveys of the Mekong River between Kratie and Steung Treng towns, northeast Cambodia’. This report makes a significant contribution to scientists’ knowledge and understanding of biodiversity of the Mekong River. The information collected during the surveys provides a scientific basis for management of this ‘Central Section’.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia recognises the importance of maintaining the Mekong’s resources for biodiversity, national food security and development, and reflect this need in the targets of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2002 and Cambodia’s Millennium Development Goals,” said Seng Teak, WWF Country Director. To achieve these goals, he continued, a critical first step is to document the Mekong’s biodiversity and natural resources.

The study area is described by scientists as including probably the last suitable freshwater habitat for the critically endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin; the Indochinese region’s last remaining Hog Deer population; and the rare Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle once thought to be extinct in the region.
 
“Unlike many other mainstream sections of the Mekong in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, this particular part of the river remains relatively untouched by human activities,” said Richard Zanre, WWF Freshwater Program Manager. This region, he added, used to be one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge and was off-limits to local and foreign agencies until as late as 1998.

This situation is changing rapidly: The survey team observed extensive human in-migration to the site, typically by poor and landless people. New settlements are being created, and established villages are expanding. Timber logging, clearance of riverbanks to create homes and rice fields, intensive fishing and wildlife trade are increasing daily. Also new economic development, especially water-based infrastructure, is placing new pressures on wetland resources. Extractive projects including gold mining, sand and gravel extraction, road building, and granting of concessions in seasonally inundated forest areas were also identified as major problems of local concern. Without proper control, these activities will soon degrade the local ecology, exhaust natural resources and result in severe long-term impacts for local livelihoods as well as biodiversity.

At a workshop in Kratie in 2008 to present the research findings to Government stakeholders, participants agreed that the “Central Section” should be proposed as a special management area. Phay Somany, WWF Senior Officer, said that such a designation for conservation and sustainable livelihood development would be an intelligent and timely responsive measure by MAFF and provincial authorities.

“Chances are good to safeguard these unique wetland values for the benefits of biodiversity as well as local people whose livelihoods depend mainly upon Mekong fisheries,” Somany said.

WWF and partners are now developing a programme to assist national and provincial agencies in effective management of the site, including capacity building, awareness raising among local communities adjacent to the site, a rapid socio-economic survey of target communities, and sustainable livelihoods development to ensure that critical resources, especially fish and timber, are secured for local communities.

For more information, please email to:
asnarith.tep@wwfgreatermekong.org