Gov’t reclassifies over 600sqkm of Mekong land to Irrawaddy dolphin conservation zone

• Sommana Yan
• 28 February 2023
• Local News
• 2227 Views

The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to designate the Mekong River area in Stung Treng and Kratie provinces, approximately 621 square kilometres, as the Mekong River dolphin management area. This is according to Sub-Decree No. 47, dated February 27, 2023.

The Mekong Dolphin Management Area is defined as a protected area (permanent core area) of 216.4 square kilometres and a protected area (seasonal core area) of 404.6 square kilometres, based on scientific data related to habitat. Moving foraging and reproduction of dolphins.

In terms of length, the Mekong River Dolphin Management Area is 120 km long, of which Stung Treng is 35 km long and Kratie is 85 km long, which extends from the lower part of the Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge in Stung Treng Province. Kbal Koh Trong in Kratie province.

The above sub-decree also defines the Mekong River Dolphin Management Area in two places, including:

1. Dolphin Sanctuary

– Koh Santak Conservation Area, Koh Kon Sat and Tbong Khla, with a total area of 138.5 square kilometres, stretching from the foothills of Koh Sralay in Siem Bok District and Stung Treng City, Stung Treng Province to Kbal Koh Ind Chey and Kbal Koh Rong in Sambo District, Kratie Province. Length 37.5 km

– Makak and Koh Pdao sand conservation areas have a total area of 55.5 square kilometres, stretching from the head of Anlong Sampan and the head of Anlong Khsach Makak to the head of Koh Preal in Sambo district, Kratie province, with a length of 32 kilometres

– Kampi Conservation Area has a total area of 22.4 square kilometres, stretching from the lower point of Prek Kreang in Prek Prosop and Sambo districts to the head of Koh Trong in Kratie province, 12 km long. Keep a distance of 100 meters from the shore as a place of protection.

2. Dolphin Sanctuary: The Mekong River Dolphin Management Area, in addition to protected areas, is designated as a protected area.

Also, settlement, fishing, aquaculture, and navigational use of more than 30 km per hour in the Mekong Dolphin Management Area are not permitted.

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