Prek Toal Ramsar Site Officially Nominated as Cambodia’s Third ASEAN Heritage Park

• Proeksa Meas
• 23 August 2026
• Local News
• 276 Views

Unanimous endorsement by ASEAN member states paves the way for Battambang’s iconic wetland sanctuary to join Virachey and Bokor National Parks as a major conservation milestone

The Prek Toal Ramsar Site, located within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve in Battambang province, has achieved a major international milestone after being officially nominated for designation as an ASEAN Heritage Park. The Ministry of Environment announced that member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations unanimously endorsed the candidacy during the 28th Governing Board Meeting of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and the 37th ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment Meeting, which took place on August 10 and 11, 2026.

The official nomination marks a significant step forward for Cambodian conservation, elevating the profile of Southeast Asia’s premier waterbird sanctuary and freshwater wetland ecosystem. Upon formal approval by the ASEAN Environment Ministers, the Battambang-based Ramsar site will officially become Cambodia’s third ASEAN Heritage Park, reflecting the country’s dedication to protecting biodiversity and managing natural heritage sustainably.

At present, Cambodia holds two designated ASEAN Heritage Parks: Virachey National Park, which spans across Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces, and Preah Monivong “Bokor” National Park in Kampot province, both of which were officially approved and listed in 2003. The addition of Prek Toal represents a proud national achievement that highlights decades of coordinated protection efforts across the Tonle Sap lake basin.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Environment is expanding its conservation scope by conducting feasibility and potential assessments for the Cardamom Mountains National Park. Recognized for its extraordinary biological value, the Cardamom range harbors diverse ecosystems, vulnerable and endangered wildlife species, and critical breeding habitats, making it a primary candidate for future ASEAN Heritage Park submission. (read more)

• environment
• ASEAN heritage park
• Biodiversity
• Environment conservation