Koh Kong Province : Mangrove forest

Koh Kong is a province with great potential for ecotourism, with sea, mangrove forests, waterfalls, and beautiful beaches. Of the four provinces bordering the sea, Koh Kong is the largest and furthest from the Thai border. In addition, Koh Kong is the province with the largest mangrove forest among other coastal provinces in Cambodia. According to the book I Want to Know by SIPA, titled “Understanding the South and the Coastal Region,” first published in 2002, Cambodia has a total of 85,100 hectares of mangrove forests, of which Koh Kong province has 63,000 hectares. However, according to the latest report by the Ministry of Environment, the size of mangrove forests in Cambodia has decreased to only 58,800 hectares, while the mangrove forest in Koh Kong province is 46,529 hectares. In addition, Sihanoukville has 9,352 hectares, Kampot has 1,966 hectares, and Kep province has more than 1,000 hectares of mangrove forest. Koh Kong province is an area of ​​islands and mountains covered with dense forests, with an area of ​​11,190 square kilometers and a coastline of 237 kilometers. The provincial capital, Khemarak Phumin, is located on the coast and is approximately 280 kilometers from Phnom Penh and 8 kilometers from the Thai border. The mangrove forests in Koh Kong province provide a habitat for aquatic animals that spawn and live, and also act as a barrier to protect the coast from storms and erosion. In addition, the mangrove forests also capture sediment and toxic substances that flow into the sea from the creeks or streams. In addition to the mangrove forests, Koh Kong province also has attractive beaches, including Koh Kong Krao, which is in Chroy Pras commune, Koh Kong district. This area has potential in natural resources, biodiversity, and beautiful sandy beaches on a vast expanse of blue sea. Koh Kong also has many potential tourist areas, including Ta Tai Waterfall, Danak Raon Waterfall, Koh Smach, Pak Klong Beach, Koh Khong, Pich Dara Sakor Beach, French Beach, Stung Pokok and Peam Krasom Beach, etc. In addition to tourism, Koh Kong is also favorable for agriculture, fishing and active trade. Rice is grown in Kampong Sila District and Sre Ambel, while corn, pineapple, cassava, bananas and fruit crops such as coconuts, mangoes and jackfruit are everywhere. In the west of the province, especially Cham Yam Port, it is an important port for trade with Thailand. Large sugarcane plantations, sugar factories, factories in special economic zones, hydroelectric dams, eco-tourism such as in Ta Tai, Chi Phat and Peam Krasom are new activities.