The lake’s tributaries
are home to between 2000 – 3000 residents who have built their houses on wooden
stilts.
The village of Kompong Phluk is located 16km, as the crow flies, southeast of Siem Reap and fishermen call it home.
Kompong Phluk and the greater Tonle Sap Lake is a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and contains unique plant species, fish, and animals, many of which are endangered.
The houses are built on tall stilts around 10-20 feet above the ground
During the rainy season,
June to September, the lake rises
and covers the stilts, giving the illusion that the homes are floating in the
water.
Most of the village is built
in the middle of the lake to make it easier for fishermen and rice farmers to
gather during harvest season.
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The floating village was a difficult place to live in the 1980’s due to a lack of essential services and the ravages of the Khmer Rouge.
Life started to improve in the 1990’s when aid organizations began working in the village. They improved roads, built schools, taught fishing and conservation and other essential tasks. This is the local police station.
The local school.
A floating service station to fill up gas tanks for the boats.
A supply shop.
Starting in the 2000’s residents worked to develop an ecotourism site to showcase the village’s unique floating homes, vast mangrove forests, and Tonle Sap Lake.
New amenities include the local restaurant and bar.
Many residents now earn a living in the tourism economy.
These children are entrepreneurs. Their uncle is the boat captain and they tag along to help out.
They were offering shoulder massages, but we were discouraged from accepting them and giving them tips. We were told that encourages them to leave school to make quick money. Tough to say no, but, we were told it was the right thing to do.
The people are obviously resilient and resourceful.
I am hopeful that the village will evolve with each generation in a way that works best for them.
2 comments:
I wonder how fresh the lake water is? OK for drinking? Where does the sewerage go?
Gordon, I noticed there were boats/stores with huge plastic water containers on them. I can't imagine the lake water is drinkable. I certainly wouldn't drink it! TBH, I wouldn't be surprised if their "sewage"/"wastewater" would go straight into the lake. Uuuuggghhh. Linda
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