Author : Heak Pring

Summary : The study assessed the environmental management in the four villages of Samaki Sangkat in Stung Treng town and five villages of O' Svay commune in Thala Boriwat district, Stung Treng town, Cambodia. Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were generated from the survey of the 98 household heads selected randomly with equal representatives from the total of 9 villages. In addition, 13 key informants were selected from relevant government, NGOs, civil society and local authorities were also interviewed to obtain their professional assessment of the current situation. Public and individual consultations and dialogues were also conducted to validate information generated from the survey and from the key informant interview. Results of the study revealed that the major sources of livelihood for two communities are farming, fishing and wildlife trading. These are interconnected with and dependent upon the various natural resources that are accessible and available in the Stung Treng Ramsar wetland. However household heads and key informants from relevant instructions had identified a number of environmental issues and concerns that confronts Ramsar site management. These issues and concerns resulted from depletion of the wetland ecological, economic and cultural ecosystem services. The respondents attributed these to the anthropogenic disturbances both from within and outside the Ramsar sites. Environmental management options are recommended. This includes strengthening of the relevant departments of the government. There are also international convention and treaties that can be used to obtain regional cooperation of the riparian countries in the management of the Mekong River.