Water

Pilot and Demonstration Activities
Developing and Testing Environmental Education and Awareness Methodologies

The Tonle Sap forms a natural floodplain reservoir in the depression of the Cambodian plain. It is fed by three main perennial and numerous erratic tributaries and is drained by the Tonle Sap River into the Mekong River near Phnom Penh. When the level of the Mekong River is high, the flow of the Tonle Sap River reverses: water is pushed into the Tonle Sap Lake, raising its level by up to 10 meters and increasing its area from 2,500-3,000 square kilometers in the dry season to 10,000-16,000 square kilometers in the rainy season. This unique hydrological cycle, and the vast areas of seasonally flooded low forest and shrubs that it creates, result in a very high biodiversity of fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and engenders exceptionally productive fisheries.

The lake's fisheries directly support more than a million people, and provide the single largest source of protein for Cambodia's young and increasing population. The flooded areas offer seasonal breeding and nursery grounds and forage areas for fish that subsequently migrate to the Mekong River, providing, thereby, a regionally vital resource. The Tonle Sap Lake was nominated as a biosphere reserve in October 1997 under the Man and the Biosphere Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Its catchments include large areas that have also been designated as being of globally important biodiversity, apart from having potential for the storage of water for irrigation, domestic consumption, and hydropower.

The Tonle Sap Basin is under severe pressure and consumptive use of its resources is intense. Never has the Tonle Sap been called upon to supply so much to so many, yet threats to the lake's ecosystem are manifold: they include over-exploitation of fisheries and wildlife resources, and dry season encroachment and land clearance of the flooded forest. Degradation of the natural vegetation of the watersheds is destroying natural habitats and also results in a deterioration of water and soil quality, and increased siltation rates.

Hence, despite the inherent richness of the lake, most indicators of poverty in the basin are even more negative than those that characterize the national population as a whole, or indeed other rural areas of Cambodia.

• Between 40-60% of households in the provinces adjoining the lake are below the official poverty line, with a peak of 80% in some areas
• Many households are entirely dependent on fishing and foraging, with access to common property areas often under dispute
• There is a disproportionately high level of female-headed households, which are particularly disadvantaged
• The lake-dwelling communities also include a significant population of ethnic minorities who, being more or less excluded from decision making, have less ability to improve their livelihoods

The destruction of the natural resources of the basin is an issue not only of national importance but also has serious transboundary environmental implications. Hence, the challenge is to achieve the right balance between production and preservation. Without a doubt, increasing public awareness and understanding of water-related issues, for example by educating children and youth, can help.

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General

• Strengthen natural resources management coordination and planning for the Tonle Sap

Specific

• Develop and test innovative environmental education and awareness methodologies and tools in support of the formulation and implementation of the national environmental education and awareness campaigns

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Perceptions of links between education attitude and change are rapidly assessed Two environmental education and awareness methodologies and two tools for community-based problem solving are tested and developed A practical teaching methodology for environmental education and awareness highlighting water as a demonstration issue is developed The environmental education and awareness methodologies and tools developed are evaluated A mini strategy for integrating environmental education and awareness methodologies and tools in the context of the Tonle Sap Basin Strategy is formulated Lessons are learnt and disseminated

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This PDA was completed on 20 January 2004. Read the Final Report [PDF].

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• Annual Report of Live and Learn Environmental and Development Education (2005) [PDF: 714Kb | 20 pages]
• Final Report: PDA on Developing and Testing Environmental Education and Awareness Methodologies (April 2005) [PDF: 200Kb | 13 pages]
• Environmental Issues in the Tonle Sap: A Rapid Assessment of Perceptions (October 2004) [PDF: 557 Kb | 59 pages]
• Progress Report: PDA on Developing and Testing Environmental Education and Awareness Methodologies (10 August 2004) [PDF: 437Kb | 13 pages]
• Proposal (January 2004)
• Country Water Action: Living with Floods on Tonle Sap Lake (August 2004)
• Country Water Action: Reconciling People and Nature (December 2004)