Cambodia & Environment: Osmose, Two Decades of Commitment to the Tonlé Sap
- Editorial team
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Tonlé Sap is one of Cambodia’s wonders. It is a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve that shelters thousands of wildlife species.
With its current reversing once a year, the lake is a hydrological curiosity rarely seen elsewhere—a vast fishing basin, one of the largest in the world. It is also a place of life, as an entire population lives on the Tonlé Sap, often under precarious conditions.Fascinated by the place, Frédéric Goes and Nathalie Nivot decided in 1999 to devote themselves both to the inhabitants of the lake and to its ecosystem.This is how the Osmose association was born. And for 20 years, the struggle has hardly ceased.
A biosphere both rich and threatened
We are in Prek Toal, at the heart of the flooded forest located in the northwestern part of the Great Lake. Here, all elements seem to blend in perfect harmony. Sky, islets, treetops, and carpets of greenery merge into the blue waters of the Tonlé Sap, composing a landscape straight out of an impressionist painting.Here, humans and nature share the space, living together in a fragile balance constantly at risk of breaking.
Although UNESCO has registered the site on its list of biosphere reserves, and the richness of its bird population attracts visitors from around the world, numerous threats demand constant attention.Increasing deforestation, poaching, illegal fishing techniques, and the spread of invasive species are major concerns, not to mention the multiplication of dams and the alarming rise in plastic waste.All these dangers affect both flora and fauna, as well as the three million Cambodians who depend directly on the lake’s resources.
Mobilizing for Prek Toal
To preserve this unique ecosystem, the Osmose team has been working tirelessly for two decades. They conduct environmental awareness activities, engage with local populations to encourage participation in managing natural resources, develop handicrafts, and promote responsible ecotourism. Since its creation, the association has achieved numerous successes.
In 20 years, floating gardens have appeared beside the houses, while installing water filters and deploying mobile clinics has improved sanitary conditions. Schools have multiplied across the reserve’s villages: alongside standard subjects, environmental education classes are offered to the thousand students enrolled there.Posters listing endangered species and awareness booklets are printed and distributed to children, while regular surveys are conducted among villagers to identify the most pressing needs.
Turning a Problem into a Solution
Beyond environmental protection, the association develops several programs to assist local communities. Among these, the water hyacinth workshop stands out as one of its greatest achievements.This invasive species, usually considered a threat to nature, has become the raw material for producing about thirty artisanal items, from fans and mats to hammocks and baskets.
The ecological problem posed by water hyacinths has thus transformed, after several years of activity, into an economic resource for the thirty craftswomen organized in a cooperative.The income generated from product sales allows the most active artisans to give up fishing—which is becoming less profitable as fish grow scarce in the overexploited lake.
A Winning Formula
At the same time, since its creation Osmose has developed ecotourism activities in the village, allowing small groups to discover the lake’s exceptional human and natural environment alongside a certified guide.Five ecotours, some offering an overnight stay in Prek Toal village, attract around one thousand tourists each year who come to immerse themselves in this enchanting place—nearly half of them French-speaking.
In addition to observing endangered species such as the Greater Adjutant, the Milky Stork, or the Spot-billed Pelican, visitors contribute to local development through the economic impact of tourism. Boatmen, guides, cooks, artisans—around seventy families benefit from this growing interest. This also enables the association to finance further education and development projects.
Twenty Years Later
From its early years, the Osmose project drew attention and curiosity. In 2005, Nicolas Hulot chose to land his seaplane at Prek Toal to film a segment for his Ushuaïa Nature program, guided by Nathalie Nivot who introduced him to the site’s remarkable biodiversity.
Two years later, the association had the honor of being received at the Royal Palace for an audience with His Majesty King Sihamoni. A website was launched in 2008, increasing the visibility of an association whose methods have since inspired international delegations seeking ideas.
Twenty years after its creation, Osmose remains more active than ever. New tours, a zero-plastic policy, and educational campaigns are now part of its agenda.By emphasizing the quality of its ecotours, the association continues its commitment to both the local wildlife and the inhabitants of this truly unique place.
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