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The Sciences In The Service Of Development:
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 UNESCO Phnom Penh's Natural Science Programme focuses on the following issues:
1. Promotion of environmental sustainability: Biosphere Reserves
2. Promotion of capacities in science and technology for sustainable development
3. Enhancement of the linkages between cultural and biological diversity
UNESCO's Science Unit in closed collaboration with an environmental NGO, OSMOSE, has implemented an Environment Education project in the floating villages of Prek Toal core area in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. The main goal of this project is to strengthen the awareness and education on conservation issues.
Using a methodology of indoor and outdoor classes, theatre shows, study tours and trainings, this project's specific objectives are to support training and capacity building of the relevant stakeholders: school teachers, community fisheries officers, conservation team members and local authorities, to raise environmental awareness and outreach of the communities living around Prek Toal core area and to strengthen a partnership network with local communities, organizations and institutions involved in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve management. Additional activities carried out by the Science Unit include:
1. Technical and financial support for the nomination process for the development of a coastal Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia under UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
2. Capacity-building by supporting the organization or attendance of members of Engineer Institutions in Cambodia to relevant workshops, seminars, trainings or study-tour to gain new skills and knowledge for the promotion of engineering sciences for the sustainable development of Cambodia.
The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve:
The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, covering an area of around 250,000 hectares in the dry season.
The lake also constitutes one of Cambodia's most important sites, rich in natural resources. Due to a unique hydrological phenomenon, when the monsoon begins, the swollen waters of the Mekong river force the Tonle Sap River to reverse its flow northwards, feeding the Great Lake and spreading over the surrounding flood plain.
The vast wetland area resulting from this cycle is home to an extraordinarily high biodiversity, both in terms of variety and abundance of species.
The Lake is also one of the most productive captive fisheries in the world, providing more than 60% of the protein intake for the Cambodian population. However, because of its economic value, the Tonle Sap Lake is coming under increasing pressure from over-exploitation of its natural resources.
In order to promote the appropriate management of the Tonle Sap and its natural resources, UNESCO inscribed this site as a Biosphere Reserve into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, at the request of the Royal Government of Cambodia. |
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