(Phnom Penh): The leadership of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction has confirmed that Zones 2 and 3 in the Tonle Sap Lake area will be registered as state land without allowing further land acquisition requests to avoid the loss of biodiversity in the Tonle Sap Lake. Speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting to review the progress of land registration work in the Tonle Sap Lake area, held at the Ministry’s office on August 7, 2024.

HE Deputy Prime Minister Say Sam Al said that the meeting is to jointly take historical responsibility regarding the management of the Tonle Sap Lake. HE emphasized that the Tonle Sap Lake issue is a matter that we all must dare to decide to determine the principles of managing the Tonle Sap Lake in a specific manner, without being complacent, to avoid facing loss. The special point in preserving the life of the Tonle Sap Lake is to maintain the water regime and flooded forests.

HE added that the determination of Zones 1, 2 and 3 in the Tonle Sap Lake area is a correct determination to keep the Tonle Sap Lake healthy. For the dry season rice cultivation of the people, it can be done in two areas, in accordance with the established principles, and three areas must be kept as conservation areas, but currently there is encroachment in these three areas, so this is a problem that we all need to solve together. Tonle Sap Lake has great benefits for the nation that can help support the economy, society, and culture of all Cambodian people, so we all need to work together to preserve and protect this valuable natural resource to ensure its sustainability as a legacy for all generations.