A bird’s-eye view of some of the protected wetlands surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake. Tonle Sap Authority
An Inter-ministry working group is currently preparing policies for land use in the Tonle Sap Lake area, particularly regarding the conditions for using fertilisers and chemicals.
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The working group recently completed measurements of the land around the lake, which covers more than 1.4 million hectares across six provinces.
Deputy head of the Tonle Sap Authority Hell Tony explained Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed that clear policies for the management and land use divisions in the area be established, with a focus on ensuring the protection, conservation, prevention and sustainable management of the area.
“In line with the directive of the prime minister, the working group is preparing a framework for land use in the Tonle Sap Lake region, including conditions for the use of chemical fertilisers,” he explained.
The group team includes representatives from Tonle Sap authority and the ministries of land management, water resources, agriculture and environment, among others.
The area around the lake is divided into three major areas. Zone 1 is designated for residential and agricultural use by the public, and they may hold legal land rights. Zone 2 is used for the conservation of wetlands and protected areas, while Zone 3 is a submerged forest area, which is strictly off-limits and requires total protection.
The land spans the provinces of Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap and Kampong Thom.
Updated maps of the area show that Zone 1 covers 436,879.11 hectares, Zone 2 covers 413,488.08 hectares and Zone 3 covers 561,634.60 hectares.
The figures are based on data from the water resources ministry.
During the closing ceremony of the 2024 annual meeting of the land management ministry, held in November, the prime minister explained that after setting the boundaries for the land, the next step would be to establish clear policies and conditions for land use.
“Now that the boundaries are clearly defined, we must publicise this information to the public and set clear policies and conditions about what can and cannot be done in each zone. Zone 1 is for what? Zone 2 for what? Zone 3 must be protected. We must act on this matter immediately,” he said.
He instructed the authorities to ensure the protection of the Tonle Sap Lake while balancing the needs of the local population with the conservation of natural resources for the benefit of all.
“We can engage in agriculture, but there must be limits. Do not use fertilisers that harm the ecosystem or degrade the soil. We must ensure that all living things can thrive. If we do not manage this properly, it will destroy our land. When the water rises, it will kill the entire ecosystem. Therefore, we must establish a clear policy and enforce it,” he said.
Tony noted that the Tonle Sap authority is conducting meetings to inform and engage the relevant departments and stakeholders, including technical teams, security forces and land management authorities, about the measures in place to protect and manage the Tonle Sap Lake area.
He added that ongoing meetings with authorities in the six provinces surrounding Tonle Sap – and wider locations like Phnom Penh, Kandal and Kampong Cham – are aimed at ensuring these policies are shared with the public and local communities. This will ensure the polices are implemented effectively, ensuring sustainability and long-term viability.
