Water quality and Environmental
Management in the Tonle Sap Great LakePrepared by: Department of Natural Resources
11 December 2019

ContentI.

The roles, duties and structure of the Tonle Sap Authority (TSA)

II. Roles and duties of Technical / Professional Departments
III. Action Plan 2016 to 2020

IV. Direction of Tonle Sap Environmental and Water Quality Management
V. Problems and Challenges

VI. Methods and Recommendations

I. Roles , Duties and Structures (TSA)
Brief History❖ Tonle Sap Basin Authority was established in 2007 (under Council of Minister )❖ 2009 changed to Tonle Sap Authority (under Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology)❖ Regulation "Coordinating, the Management, Conservation and Development of the Tonle Sap Region" (Royal Decree

Nos/RKT/0609/705) (25 ministries and institutions and eight provinces)

Role➢ The marshals direct the Government on all projects, conducting research, monitoring and making recommendations.
➢ Facilitate natural resource protection activities, environmental conservation and biodiversity in the Tonle Sap Lake.
➢ Facilitate socio-economic activities and programs to reduce poverty in the Tonle Sap Lake and improve the livelihoods ofthe people of the Tonle Sap Lake.

Duties❖ Representing the government in action: Meetings, Negotiations and Resolving any issues that may arise.
❖ Sign the Contract Protocol and Contracts after the approval of the Royal Government.
❖ Collaborate with relevant Government ministries, Institutions, Local authorities and Development partners to

Develop Policies, Plans, Strategies, Programs and Projects.
❖ Partner with all development partners in joint consideration to determine actions to be taken.
❖ Monitors and Evaluates project implementation to encourage relevant operators to comply with Government

Strategies Plans.
❖ Collect, Analyze and Update data information to disseminate and share with stakeholders.
❖ Educate, Training and Raise Awareness for stakeholders.
❖ Report to the Royal Government about important work activities.
❖ Performs other duties assigned by the Royal Government.

Structure (TSA)II. Roles and Duties of Technical / Professional Departments
Dept. of Natural Resources

Dept. of Exploitation Control and Conservation Dept. of Legislation and Extension❖ Study the Water potential and Climate❖ Monitoring, Evaluating and Commenting on thechange as well as other factors

Exploitation of Water, Land, Fish, Mineral andaffecting natural resources in theother Biodiversity resources in the Tonle Sap andTonle Sap and related areas.

related areas.
❖ Monitoring, Evaluating and Commenting on theforest, Minerals and Biodiversity in

Use of Natural resources in the Tonle Sap andthe Tonle Sap and related areas.

related areas.

❖ Receive complaints and Mediate any conflict❖ Advise on drafting of draft law and otherrelevant regulation.
❖ Develop protocols, Memoranda, Agreements,❖ Collection of Analytical Information to Identify
Floodedpositiveandnegativerelated areas.

forests, Fish, Minerals and other Biodiversity toinformation aimed at effective and sustainable

be included in the information system.

conservation and development.

in the Tonle Sap and related areas.

resources,❖ Disseminate

Protected

proposed use of all natural resources

Water

and other Regulation Documents.

& Landcover in the Tonle Sap and❖ To Review and Comment on theareas,and Regulations.

that occur in the Tonle Sap and related areas.

❖ Study the Natural resources, Flooded❖ Study the Potential of Water. Landuse❖ Collect, Compile and Study all relevant Laws

❖ Mapping for management of the conservationand development of the Tonle Sap region.

➢ Performs other duties assigned by the TSA Leaders.

❖ Collaborates

withotherMinistries

andInstitutions and Development Partners toOrganize Training Seminars.

III. Action Plan(TSA)
Action Plan for TSA / Dept. from 2016-2019
Department

20162017

2018

2019

Administration, Planning and Cooperation

4247

4537

Natural Resources

1315

1112Exploitation Control and Conservation

5667Legislation and Extension

1213

13

12Total72

817568

IV. Direction of Tonle Sap Environmental and Water Quality Management✓ Update the Floating villages in Tonle Sap Lake.
✓ Monitoring, Controlling and Evaluation of Water quality, release of liquid waste in major stream/river and hydrological.

✓ Baseline information study of solid waste generation in floating villages and potential tourist sites around the Tonle Sap.
✓ Update the Tonle Sap Land Use in Protected Area and Related Areas (Zone 2 and Zone 3).
✓ Update the flooded forest types, Non timber flooded forest products, and in addition to flooded forests and wetlands.
✓ Utilization and Exploitation of fisheries resources and studies of fish-biological and other species.
✓ Agricultural evolution, use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and yields.
✓ Update on fish catch, Fish processing, Marketing and Aquaculture production.
✓ Habitat and Management of Fisheries and Natural Resources (Flooded forest, Land, Minerals ...).
✓ Monitoring and evaluating livelihoods and economy of peoples in floating villages and climate change.

✓ Education, training and dissemination of natural resources, fisheries, environment, law and other relevant regulation.
✓ Participate in research activities with ministries and institutions and development partners (water quality, fisheries,environment, reforestation ...).

V. Problems and Challenges at Tonle Sap Lake since 2010❑ The increase of populations and floating houses that total around 100 villages surrounding Tonle Sap Lake.
❑ Illegal fishing and the use of illegal fishing gear have a direct and indirect impact on the ecology-environment,
biodiversity and fish stocks ...

❑ Solid Waste Disposal and Management and Exploitation-Handicrafts in Floating Villages and Related Areas Affecting
Water Quality and Environment (Dry and Rainy Season)❑ Burning and cutting down of flooded forest land continues every year to serve agriculture, reservoirs, homes and farms.
❑ The increase in agriculture and aquaculture.
❑ Increasing development activities in the main rivers and tributaries (infrastructure, hydropower ...).

❑ Loss of habitat of biodiversity and fish.
❑ Hydrological change and climate change etc.

Principles and Challenges in the Tonle Sap
IMPACTPRESSURE✓ Physical environment✓ Physical-chemistry soil/water✓ Biological compartment

1. Expand land, cutting down flooded forest, hunting andburning forest

2. Deforestation / Flood
3. Population growth / Livelihoods
4. Illegal fishing equipment and laws / regulations

5. Destroys habitat / impacts fish stocks and loss of fish andbiodiversity

1. On flooded forest

6. Hydrological and Climate Change

2. On wetland area

7. Environmental systems management and floating villages

3. On sanctuary zoneand agricultural land

4. On fish stock/fish productivity

8. Solid-liquid waste

5. Water resource / Water quality

9. Use of pesticides and chemicals fertilizers.

6. Environment

Action Plan 2020 to 2023
❑ Fisheries (population dynamic, stock, productivity, species richness, recruitment)❑ Fish catch , mollusk , reptiles …

❑ Flooded forest❑ Water quality❑ Hydrology and Climate Change in TSL❑ Agriculture❑ Bedload transport, TSS on the main tributaries

VI. Methods and Recommendations❖ Water samples from six study sites and four rivers.

❖ Strengthen solid waste management in the Tonle Sap.

❖ Interview and collect data in the target villages / about water❖ Expand education and outreach in general, especially inissues, impacts on daily water use and actual water status.

schools and local communities, aware of the natural❖ Testing and analysis / evaluation of water and soil samples atthe Water Laboratory at MOWRAM Lab on 13 parameters(Standard MOWRAM & MRCs ...) and land at MAFF.
❖ Utilize the automated tool in addition to checking water

quality on the site in approximately 7 parameters.
➢ Equipments : HANNA , BBE Algae Torch, EXO2 Sensor

environment and peoples.
❖ Regular controlling and monitoring of the use of fertilizers andpesticides in agriculture and aquaculture feeds.
❖ Participate in the protection and management of natural
resources and fisheries, especially law enforcement and otherregulations.
❖ Involvement and cooperation from all levels in capacity
building and environmental management to serve sustainable

development.
❖ Strengthening water quality, environment, fisheries and naturalresources shall be strengthened and amended.