Description
The Boeung Tompoun and Choeung Ek wetlands, spanning approximately 1,500 hectares to the south of Phnom Penh, form one of the city’s most vital natural systems for urban resilience. These interconnected wetlands absorb and manage up to 70% of the city’s rainwater and wastewater, serving as critical infrastructure for flood control and natural water treatment. Aquatic plants like water mimosa and morning glory filter pollutants from wastewater before it flows into the Tonle Bassac River, a tributary of the Mekong.
Historically, the wetlands have acted as a buffer against flooding during monsoon seasons while providing livelihoods for local communities through agriculture, aquaculture, and other resource-dependent activities. The wetlands' natural ability to absorb excess rainwater has been pivotal in protecting Phnom Penh’s urban areas from inundation.
However, these wetlands are under severe threat due to large-scale urban development projects, such as ING City. Since 2004, vast portions of the wetlands have been filled with sand to create land for real estate, with as much as one-third of the area already lost. If this trend continues, nearly 1.2 million Phnom Penh residents will face heightened risks of flooding, and the city's natural water purification system will be severely compromised.
The wetlands’ encroachment mirrors broader challenges of rapid urbanization in Phnom Penh, where lakes and wetlands have been steadily replaced by buildings and roads. Critics argue that while economic development is essential, poor urban planning and the loss of critical ecosystems like these wetlands exacerbate flooding, reduce biodiversity, and displace communities reliant on these natural resources.
Efforts to conserve these wetlands are ongoing, with environmental groups, local NGOs, and international stakeholders advocating for sustainable urban planning that integrates the wetlands’ protection into the city’s growth strategy.
Part of the wetlands are located behind the Choeng Ek Killing Fields, where thousands of people lost their lives by the hand of the Khmer Rouge.
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