Trees with aerial roots exposed over the water, white sand islets
dotted across limpid water, Irrawaddy dolphin pools and critically
endangered fish breeding pools among braided channels and flooded
forests; these are just some of the attractions drawing tourists from
around the world to the upper Mekong River during dry season.
North of Stung Treng province’s Stung Treng town is a wetland area of
14,600ha extending nearly 40km along the Mekong river straddling the
Cambodia and Laos border.
It is designated under the Ramsar Convention – an international
treaty working for the conservation of wetlands – as a Wetland of
National and International Significance.
Every monsoon season whole forests are submerged under water, before
re-emerging when the rains pass and the swollen Mekong river returns to
the confines of its banks.
“The flooded forests are rich with natural resources and ecology,
especially huge fish holes and endangered birds. The Ministry of
Environment works hard to protect the Mekong wetland,” says Un Porsoeun,
Stung Treng provincial tourism department director.
He says that with the area’s abundant natural resources, there
is a big market for eco and adventure tourism on the Mekong river to
experience limestone rocks, water rapids, endangered birds and flooded
forests with aerial root trees.
During dry season, when the majority of the water subsides, white
beach islets surrounded by pristine water protrude from parts of the
river bed, creating perfect spots for camping.
Camping on the river’s
beach is a popular activity for both local and international tourists.
“In some areas, communities build huts on the river’s beach.
In fact,
Koh Han Community Based Ecotourism [a tour group operating in the area]
built many huts for tourists. In this area, there are flooded forests
and rare birds,” says Porsoeun, adding that he only works with
“operators who help promote and raise awareness of tourism connected
with nature”.
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In the area there are many nature focused attractions, including the
Mekong Bird Resort, Koh Khe, Koh Han and Koh Langor – a group of islands
– and Thala Barivat district’s Anlung Chheuteal, an area in which the
Irrawaddy dolphin lives close to Cambodia and Laos border.
“This Mekong river trip is my favourite. And though it’s a bit of a
challenge as I can’t swim, I love seeing Irrawaddy dolphins, visiting
flooded forests, as well as camping and bathing in the river,” says
24-year-old Heang Hana, a furniture vendor who visited the area with a
tour company.
The area’s most unique attraction, however, remains its Romchek
trees, that sit gnarled and twisted in the direction of the Monsoon
water flow.
“We are unique from other areas as we have Romchek trees that visitors want to see with their aerial roots,” Porsoeun says. ''
Upper Koh Khe and lower Koh Khe are located 30km from Stung Treng
town. Due to water levels, the former is only open to the public between
October and May and the latter between January and May.
Source - PhnomPenhPost
