Cambodia’s conservation map has a new regional landmark. Prek Toal Ramsar Site, the waterbird sanctuary within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, has won approval as the country’s third ASEAN Heritage Park, bringing its flooded forests into a network already represented by Cambodia’s mountain wildernesses.
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity confirmed ministerial approval in a September 25, 2026 statement. Together with a newly approved Philippine site, the additions brought the regional network to 71 parks.
A New Chapter on Tonle Sap
Located in Battambang province, Prek Toal joins Virachey and Preah Monivong “Bokor” national parks, both designated ASEAN Heritage Parks on December 18, 2003. Its inclusion broadens Cambodia’s representation from forested highlands to one of Southeast Asia’s most significant freshwater ecosystems.
The 21,342-hectare wetland received Ramsar recognition in 2015. The Convention on Wetlands identifies it as home to Southeast Asia’s largest waterbird colony, making its protection important well beyond Cambodia’s borders.
For visitors, Prek Toal offers a different Cambodian journey: waterways, seasonally flooded forests and birdwatching instead of temple courtyards. For surrounding floating communities, the same wetland supports fishing and aquaculture, connecting conservation directly with everyday livelihoods.
Three Landscapes, Three Ways to Discover Cambodia
In the northeast, Virachey stretches across Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces, linking Cambodia’s forests with neighbouring Laos and Vietnam. Established in 1993, it remains a refuge for wildlife and a destination for trekking, river journeys and encounters with Indigenous knowledge.
Recent research reinforces its significance. A camera-trap survey conducted in 2025 and reported in February 2026 recorded 42 species, including 32 mammals, nine birds and one invertebrate. Twenty of the recorded species were classified as threatened.
Vanny Lou, terrestrial programme manager for Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia programme, described Virachey as “alive with a host of incredible creatures, each playing a critical role in maintaining the forest ecosystems”.
In southern Cambodia, Bokor offers another experience: cooler mountain air, waterfalls and expansive views near Kampot. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity lists its area at 140,000 hectares and records more than 300 bird species. Its forests also protect the catchment of Touk Chhou, a major river flowing towards Kampot.
Indigenous Knowledge Leads the Way
Conservation’s local value becomes especially clear around Virachey. In July 2026, IUCN reported the completion of Krong Yong Trails, a community-owned tourism identity connecting five Community Protected Areas through Indigenous stories and ecological knowledge.
The initiative produced three bilingual guidebooks covering forest, mountain and waterfall landscapes. During an educational camp with the Brao community at Mondul Yorn, participants learned through forest walks, fishing and food gathering.
“The guide knew nearly every tree by memory,” recalled Rathana Hul, lead instructor at Cambodia-based YEP Academy. His observation captures what community-led tourism can offer: understanding shaped by generations of living with the forest.
Turning Recognition into Lasting Benefits
New support could help translate recognition into practical results. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity’s Small Grants Programme III includes Prek Toal and Virachey within a regional conservation and livelihoods initiative backed by €17.2 million for 2026–2031. That funding covers participating sites across several countries, rather than Cambodia alone.
Prek Toal’s designation gives Cambodia a stronger platform for nature tourism and regional cooperation. Its lasting success will depend on protecting habitats while ensuring that the communities who know these landscapes best help shape—and benefit from—their future.
