The Core Areas

Core areas in a biosphere reserve are set aside for long term protection. Human activity is limited to monitoring and research. In the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve three core areas have been established which cover an area of more than 42,000 hectares. Not only are they the least disturbed parts of the lake, but each has a unique characteristic (See Core Area Map).

1. Prek Toal (Battambang Province)
Located in the upper reach of the Tonle Sap Lake, the Prek Toal core area is one of the most important breeding grounds for endangered species of large water birds. It covers 21,342 hectares.

2. Steung Sen(Kampong Thom Province) 
Where the Steung Sen river flows into the Tonle Sap Lake an area can be found that is home to numerous endangered animal species. Also found here are unique flooded forests including a relative  intact area of gallery forest. Steung Sen spans 6,355 hectares.

3. Boeung Tonle Chhmar (Kampong Thom Province)
Boeung Tonle Chhmar covers 14,560 hectares of open water and creek system. It is designated as an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. The area supports a large variety of plant, fish and water bird species, many of which are known to be rare, vulnerable or endangered.