Ang Trapeang Thma Explained

Ang Trapeang Thma
Iucn Category:III
Iucn Ref:[1]
Map:Cambodia
Relief:yes
Location:Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia
Nearest City:Serei Saophoan
Coordinates:13.8688°N 103.3013°W
Area:126.5km2
Established:First protected January 1999, became Protected Landscape in May 2016
Governing Body:Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries / Forest Administration

Ang Trapeang Thma Protected Landscape (Central Khmer: អាងត្រពាំងថ្ម in Central Khmer pronounced as /ʔaːŋ trɑːpeaŋ tʰmɑː/) is a 126.5km2 protected area in northwestern Cambodia that was first established in 1999 and converted to a protected landscape in 2016.[2] The reserve was set aside to protect the rare eastern sarus crane (Grus antigone sharpii). Prior to the discovery of the crane at Trapeang Thma, there were thought to be fewer than 1,000 of the birds left alive in the world.[3]

Location and access

The crane sanctuary is located in north western Cambodia, not far from the border with Thailand. The entire 10,000 hectares of the protected area is contained within Phnom Srok District of Banteay Meanchey Province. Phnom Srok district shares a border with Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey Provinces. Reading from the north clockwise, Phnom Srok borders with Banteay Ampil and Chong Kal districts of Oddar Meanchey province to the north. The eastern border of the district is shared with Srei Snam and Kralanh districts of Siem Reap province. To the south the district shares a border with Preah Net Preah District of Banteay Meanchey. The western border of the district joins with Svay Chek and Thma Puok districts also of Banteay Meanchey.[4] The sanctuary can be accessed by road from Sisophon (70 km) or Siem Reap (city) (90 km) via National Highway 6 initially then via smaller unsealed district roads to Ang Trapeang Thma.[5]

History

The site of Ang Trapeang Thma reservoir is also the site of an ancient Angkorian causeway.[6]

Sarus crane

The sarus crane, Grus antigone is an all-year resident breeding bird in northern Pakistan and India (especially Central India and the Gangetic plains), Nepal, Southeast Asia and Queensland, Australia. It is a very large crane, averaging 156 cm (5 ft) in length, which is found in freshwater marshes and plains.[7]

Other fauna

Ang Trapeang Thma sanctuary is also an important conservation area for a number of other globally threatened species. The long tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Eld's deer (Rucervus eldii), Asian box turtle (Cuora amboinensis), Malayan snail-eating turtle (Malayemys macrocephala), and the elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) can be found within Ang Trapeang Thma.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Protected Planet . 2018 . Ang Trapeang Thma Protected Forest . United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre . 26 Dec 2018.
  2. Web site: Sub-decree No.100 on Establishment of Ang Trapeang Thmor Protected Landscape - OD Mekong Datahub . 2022-08-01 . data.opendevelopmentcambodia.net . en.
  3. Web site: Khmer Rouge dam refuge for endangered bird. 25 May 1999. ABC News. 2009-02-22.
  4. Web site: Banteay Meanchey Provincial Resources . Ministry of Commerce . 2009-02-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090105212344/http://www.moc.gov.kh/national_data_resource/Provincial%20Resources/Banteay%20Meanchey/Index.htm . 5 January 2009 . dead .
  5. Book: Cambodia Road Network . Ministry of Public Works and Transport. 2001. Version 03-00.
  6. Web site: Page 1 1 Commune Natural Resources Management Profile . 2007 . Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia . 2009-03-01 .
  7. Web site: Sarus Crane - BirdLife Species Factsheet (Grus Antigone). 2008. BirdLife International. 2009-03-01.
  8. Web site: Directory of Important Bird Areas - KH001 Ang Trapaing Thmor. 2003. BirdLife International. 2009-03-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20090318022146/http://birdlifeindochina.org/birdlife/iba_cambodia/SiteAccountT/PDF/English/kh001.pdf. 18 March 2009 . live.