Bird Sanctuary of the Boeung Tonle Chhmar

Boeung Tonle Chhmar Bird Sanctuary is a highly protected wetland area located on the Tonle Sap Lake in Peam Bang Commune, Stoung District, Kampong Thom Province. Covering 14,560 hectares, it was officially established on January 1, 1999, to preserve a vital ecosystem rich in diverse plants, fish, mammals, and waterbird species.The sanctuary surrounds five distinct floating villages—Pov Veuy, Pechakrei, Peam Bang, Bat Lat, and Doun Sdaeng—where residents live in floating houses that adapt to the shifting seasonal water levels. As a crucial part of the broader Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, the area plays an essential role in Cambodia's economy and provides a critical fishing source that sustains millions of lives.