The Tonle Sap river, which is in Siem Reap, resembles a sea. The nation’s lake is one of the geographical wonders of the world. It is an ecological marvel with its extraordinary biodiversity and hydrology.
During the rains, the lake swells and inundates the neighbouring forests and makes the soil fertile for cultivation. The silt deposits increase the agricultural produce by leaps and bounds. It is also South East Asia’s largest freshwater fishing ground. The fishermen are able to catch 10 tonnes of fish. During the three months of spawning, fishermen do not venture into the sea.
Fish species thriving in Tonle Sap are carp, catfish and herring.
It is also a bird watchers’ paradise and ornithologists will have a visual treat watching the birds flocking there.
My cruise on Tonle Sap will be etched in my memory forever. A small area with boats and ship moving at snail’s pace resemble a floating village.
For many of the natives, it is life on water. Their houseboat is a self-contained vessel and has everything under the sun. Most of the villagers thrive only on fishing. This area has prospered and has had water transportation since ancient times.
Despite its natural splendour and architectural marvels, the Pol Pot regime is an unpleasant part of the nation’s history. Pol Pot was an autocrat who ruled Cambodia from 1975-79. He mercilessly killed thousands of his fellow countrymen whom he suspected of treachery. It is important to note that killer fields are spread throughout the country. It is in the killer fields that he gruesomely murdered many innocent men, women and children. It is believed he killed several intelligent men and women who were of great use to the country. The bones of the dead are kept in a museum for public viewing.
His memory still haunts the people of Cambodia and the rest of the world. My guide had a horrid tale to narrate. His grandparents were mercilessly dragged to the killer fields and thrown into the fire pit.
Cambodia is slowly limping back to normalcy and its citizens are slowly getting over the fear of the Pol Pot regime.
Great rivers have spawned the Cambodian civilisation which is engraved in the annals of history. Angkor Vat temples showcase the ethos of the region. Cambodia boasts of antiquity that dates back to the Chola period. Its world heritage sites attract people who flock in thousands to marvel at its splendour.
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