Lights, camera… change?
Grace Matu
A Growing Concern on Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia
The largest lake in Southeast Asia is called Tonle Sap; are you familiar with it? Can you imagine a number of creatures that thrive inside its ecology, or do you want to know what it’s like for the people who live in its floating communities and regularly use contaminated water on a daily life? Can you picture the dangers that threaten this lake’s enormous biodiversity? Today, I want to share a story about this lake after visiting one of its floating communities.
Cambodia’s Tonle Sap is Sotheast Asia’s largest lake, one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, linked to the Mekong river. This lake is a thriving ecosystem, home to at least 250-350 fish species, 40-60 reptile species, 200-250 bird species, and 40-50 mammal species. it was also recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997 due to the biodiversity richness. The Tonle Sap supports the livelihoods of thousands of people living in floating villages and along its shores. The inland fishery provides 413,200 tons of fish a year, more than two-thirds of Cambodia’s protein consumption. It has also a great eco-tourism potential, but the sector is underdeveloped, lacking tourist infrastructure and hospitality services.
Currently, this lake is facing with many issues. Water pollution has become the major problem which is harmful to the lives that depend on this colossal lake. The Tonle Sap Lake’s deteriorating water quality, along with overfishing, is one of many factors harming the fish stock and making people move to dry land. A 2018 scientific study highlighted the growing impact of unsustainable human activities on the Tonle Sap floodplain, leading to health issues, ecosystem destruction and biodiversity loss. The decline in the water quality in the Tonle Sap Lake has impacted villagers in multiple ways, from lowering incomes from the fishery sector to poor sanitation which degrades health. The government’s report says one of the causes of water pollution in the lake is the lack of effective waste management and proper disposal facilities in the cities and communities surrounding the lake, as well as on the floating villages. The same research found that villagers living around Tonle Sap Lake faced a heightened risk of infection from waterborne pathogens, particularly during the dry season.
On December 17, 2023, I visited a community in Reang Til village, Reang Til commune, Kandieng district, Pursat province. Upon our arrival, we were shocked by the area’s poor condition during the dry season. The entire area had a strong, unpleasant odour due to trash being dumped everywhere during the dry season. As I strolled around the village, trashes were everywhere. Burning, burying, and open dumping are common dangerous waste disposal techniques used by rural households. These behaviors endanger human health and contribute to environmental deterioration.
Many children in the village lack adequate care and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of contaminated water. Exposure to polluted water, especially during critical stages of development, poses serious health risks and can negatively affect their growth, well-being, and long-term health. I felt deeply saddened watching children swim and play in the lake, their faces filled with joy and innocence. They told me that all the children swam in the lake daily. While I was taking photos and videos of the stunning sunset and the children laughing with their friends, I was surprised and disturbed to see an elderly woman slowly walking down to the lake and dumping trash directly into the water—right in front of the children!
Many children suffer from skin diseases due to constant contact with the lake water, while others frequently experience stomach illnesses and diarrhea linked to poor water quality and sanitation conditions. The future for children living on Tonle Sap Lake remains uncertain, particularly for schoolgirls. Without access to private toilets or proper sanitation facilities, many girls are forced to miss school, creating additional barriers to their education.
At the same time, several NGOs are working closely with local communities to address these challenges. Their efforts include restoring flooded forests, promoting sustainable fishing practices, improving access to clean water and sanitation, and supporting children’s education and well-being.
Protecting Tonle Sap Lake is therefore not only about preserving an ecosystem, but also about safeguarding the dignity, health, and future of the people who depend on it. Sustainable change will require long-term cooperation between governments, local communities, and international actors to ensure that environmental protection and human well-being advance together.
