Mekong Discovery Trail - Behind the Trail

What's Behind the Trail

Cambodia is rebuilding itself after 30 years of war and civil unrest and the resulting poverty. This is a safe country now. One of the priorities of the Cambodian Government is to improve the living standards of people in rural areas, some of the poorest people in the world.

These are proud, gentle people, who live from the river, their gardens, village fields, and nearby forests. The Mekong Discovery Trail provides a development opportunity through sustainable community-based ecotourism.

The Trail is funded by the Royal Government of Cambodia – Ministry of Tourism, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) as part of the UNWTO's Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) initiative.

Phase 1- Preliminary reseach, development of Kratie Tourism Master Plan. Completed 2007.
Phase 2 - Ecotourism plan, community support and consultation, marketing and trail opening. Complete June 2008.
Phase 3 - Trail network and services expanded, infrastructure installed, communities providing services further supported. Complete 2010

The Trail attracts responsible international tour operators and thoughtful adventure travellers who want to minimise their environmental impacts and make a real difference.

Tour operators and other businesses play an important role in the future of the Trail.

Some local communities are 'learning by doing'
so may need your understanding and support.

Mekong River Dolphins
Symbols of River Health

Along the Mekong Discovery Trail you can view Mekong River Dolphins, one of the most threatened mammals in the world. The last remaining dolphins (about 100) use the deep pools between Kratie and the Cambodian/Laos border as dry season retreats. Their survival depends on a healthy river system and responsible tourism.

Alarm Bells are Ringing
People are Responding
Experts recognise the need for urgent action to protect the dolphins but also realise that dolphin conservation must consider the livelihoods of river communities.

Non-government organizations such as WWF Greater Mekong, and the Cambodian Rural Development Team work with local communities to raise awareness of conservation issues and develop alternative livelihoods. In time this will reduce dependence on fishing, reduce pressure on the dolphins, and help alleviate poverty.

How does the Trail help Dolphins?
The Trail encourages river guides to reduce tourist impact on dolphins. It also encourages river communities to see dolphin populations as a valuable local asset that, with protection, can help build their village economies.

What can you do to help?
• Help to enforce responsible dolphin watching
• Report injured dolphins and inappropriate
iiiibehaviour to the Fisheries Administration
iiiior local authorities
• Support local communities near dolphin pools
• Volunteer or donate to local non-government
iiiiorganisations
• Tread lightly on the environment and advocate
iiiifor river conservation.

Why should
I choose an ecotourism adventure?

Because ecotourism:

• sustains the well-being
ii of local people

• contributes to the
ii conservation of
ii biological diversity

• includes a learning
ii experience

• involves responsible
ii action on the part of
ii tourists and the
ii tourism industry

• is delivered primarily
ii to small groups by
ii small-scale businesses

• requires the lowest
ii possible consumption
ii of non-renewable
ii resources

• encourages local
ii participation,
ii ownership and
ii business opportunities
ii particularly for rural
ii people

• creates a renewed
ii sense of pride in
ii cultures and traditions
ii for community
ii members.

Volunteering

Volunteer opportunities are limited at present. More are expected to emerge as the Trail develops. See Links and Contacts for details.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiioRiver Life Adventures in Northeast Cambodia