Institutions working on conservation of the Tonle Sap held a three-day exhibition showcasing life on the lake to attract both domestic and foreign tourists to the area in Siem Reap province, beyond just the ancient temples.

Sea Sophal, director of the NGO BambooShoot Foundation, which regularly organises clean-ups of the lake, stated on March 18 that the event, part of the Kingdom’s 8th River Festival, was held from March 15-17 along the province’s riverbanks. 

He said the expo was organised in collaboration with the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC), the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) and BambooShoot. 

“Through the exhibition, relevant institutions showcased fish toys and wetland birds as symbols of the Tonle Sap and the community engaged in nature tourism, expressing gratitude for the river. The exhibition also contributed to the conservation and protection of waterfowl and fish in the Tonle Sap,” he added.

Sophal elaborated that the exhibition included an environmental clean-up campaign and the participation of four lakeside communities. 

He said they displayed 30 photos to raise awareness, which attracted increased support and attention from youths and visitors to the event, who expressed interest in joining environmental sanitation efforts.

Sophal noted that the institutions would continue initiatives to raise awareness about the lake and support the implementation of the ministry’s Circular Strategy on Environment 2023-28, the Safe Village-Commune policy and urban garbage management guidelines for river surfaces.

Sang Kong, head of the Kampong Phluk Ecotourism Community and an attendee of the event, emphasised its importance, noting the Tonle Sap’s status as Southeast Asia’s largest natural lake, rich in biodiversity.

He expressed hope that the exhibition would motivate the public and relevant stakeholders to engage in environmental clean-up and conservation programmes, thereby improving the livelihoods of community residents and boosting tourism growth.