Cambodia joined the Ramsar Convention - which commits its 168 signatory countries to “wise use” of wetlands and water resources in their territories – in 1999, naming wetlands at Stung Treng, Boeung Chhamar (Tonle Sap) and Koh Kapik (Koh Kong) as sites of global importance.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Stung Treng wetland’s rare seasonally inundated riverine forest is unique on the Mekong and home to at least four globally threatened bird species: the green peafowl, white-shouldered ibis, spot-billed pelican and the lesser adjutant.

It’s also home to a large number of globally “near-threatened” and “regionally threatened” bird and fish species, and, for some of these, the populations within the Ramsar site represent a significant proportion of their overall population.

In 2007, a management plan for the Stung Treng Ramsar site was drafted but not completed due to financial constraints. Instead it was completed in 2013 and is now pending approval and implementation by the Cambodian government.