Minister of Environment Mok Mareth officially inaugurated a floating environmental

research station at Prek Toal on the Tonle Sap lake on Jan 9.

The great lake is officially recognized by UNESCO as the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve

which includes the substantial waterbird colony and undisturbed flooded forest at

Prek Toal.

Minister Mareth and other environmental officials visited the station for the official

opening ceremony. The station, located across the lake from Siem Reap, is designed

to support research activities and other programs related to the sustainable management

of the Biosphere Reserve.

Prek Toal is the largest natural nesting area for large waterbirds in the country

and possibly in the whole of Southeast Asia, according to wildlife officials. Most

large waterbirds that live in neighboring countries breed in Cambodia - most of them

around Prek Toal.

Black-headed ibis, greater adjutant storks, gray-headed fish-eagles, black cranes

and pickle-snouted pelicans are just some of the bird species that nest in the area.