Safeguard the Bengal Florican

The Bengal Florican once thrived throughout the grasslands of Southeast Asia. But now, this terrestrial bird with patterned feathers is listed as Critically Endangered with already-isolated populations in danger of extinction due to extensive hunting and habitat loss and modification.

Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake houses the Bakan grassland, one of only four sites in the country that still supports Bengal Floricans. The habitat and its resident population of 200 Bengal Floricans continue to face increasing threats from unsustainable development for commercial rice plantations that could destroy it forever.

In order to sustainably manage the Bakan grasslands and grow the Bengal Florican population, Rainforest Trust and our local partner Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-Cambodia are working to designate the 75,515-acre Bakan Protected Landscape.

Protect the Tonle Sap

In addition to the Floricans, the habitat also supports a wealth of rare grassland birds, including a relatively large population of Critically Endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting and the Chinese Grass-babbler (VU). Many species of waterbirds, like the Lesser Adjutant (VU), will also benefit from this protection, as will reptiles like the Siamese Crocodile (CR). Without protection, this critical grassland habitat will be completely converted within the next few years, and this community of species will disappear forever.

Destruction of these grasslands will also cause local communities to loose access to areas traditionally used for deepwater rice cultivation and the unique cultural traditions of the Tonle Sap floodplain. Deep-water rice cultivation is compatible with habitat management for the Bengal Florican, allowing the birds to use the habitat in harmony with the native people.

Help local communities maintain their way of life

Your donation will not only contribute to the protection of the Bengal Florican and other threatened species, it will also help our partner have the ability to secure land use rights for the local communities. The Bakan is the last remaining patch of inner-floodplain grassland capable of traditional deepwater rice cultivation areas that communities rely on.

With the new protected area, WSC-Cambodia can work to protect the Indigenous way of life while mentoring local residents in sustainable resource use. The proposed Bakan Protected Landscape will play a key role in preventing commercial development from destroying floodplain resources.