A workshop aimed at enhancing capacity on wetland management and migratory bird flyways is currently taking place in Siem Reap, with participants are sharing experiences on the conservation of migratory bird species.

The three-day workshop, which runs from March 4 to 6, is organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)'s ASEAN Flyway Network (AFN) Phase II Project, in partnership with the General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas, Ministry of Environment and NParks, with funding support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

“The purpose of the event is to increase knowledge, share experiences and enhance the capacity of conservation officers, wetland managers and the other stakeholders involved in the effective monitoring and management of migratory birds and wetland areas,” explained a March 5 environment ministry statement.

Srey Sunleang, general director of the protected areas directorate, is presiding over the workshop, which will see the participation of around 50 key conservationists.

They include Sun Kong, director of the Siem Reap environment department, David Li from NParks, Amiel Same, ACB programme director, and the conservation officials responsible for the management and biodiversity conservation of the Kingdom’s 11 wetland areas.

Specialists will deliver presentations on the Ramsar Convention and the importance of regional cooperation in the East Asia-Australasia Migratory Bird Flyway.

They will also discuss ecosystem assessments, wetland management planning, species identification and monitoring, and various techniques for tracking migratory birds in the region.

In addition, the participants will travel to Banteay Meanchey province’s Ang Trapeang Thmor Protected Landscape, to gain hands-on experience of bird identification and the monitoring of waterfowl and migratory species in their natural habitats.

Migratory birds are species that move annually along specific flyways from one region or country to another.

A flyway refers to the geographical area used by many species to migrate from breeding grounds to feeding or nesting areas during a specific season each year.

Therefore, conservation efforts require the participation and cooperation of each country along the flyways.

There are at least nine global flyways. Cambodia is located along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway and has been a member of the flyway partnership since 2007.

The members of the partnership have identified over 100 important wetlands, which were selected on ecological criteria such as biodiversity significance and their function in supporting migratory bird life cycles.