Prek Toal and Mount Balatukan endorsed for ASEAN Heritage Park status

The Prek Toal Ramsar Site in Cambodia and the Mount Balatukan Range Natural Park in the Philippines have been endorsed to become the 70th and 71st ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs). The endorsement was reached during the 28th Governing Board Meeting of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and the 37th ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment Meeting.

Prek Toal, located within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve in Battambang province, is recognized as a major waterbird breeding area and a critical freshwater wetland ecosystem. If formally approved by ASEAN Environment Ministers, it will become Cambodia’s third ASEAN Heritage Park, joining Virachey National Park and Preah Monivong “Bokor” National Park.

The Mount Balatukan Range Natural Park in the Philippines is noted for its high endemicity and as a habitat for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and Rafflesia. It also holds cultural significance as a sacred site for the Higaonon tribe. Both sites underwent field evaluation missions earlier this year to support their nominations.