Background
The Tonle Sap Authority carried out targeted field studies in Krakor district, Pursat province to monitor changes in agricultural land and shifts in local farming systems within the Tonle Sap basin. The activity is recorded as part of the Authority’s 2026 annual action plan for natural resource monitoring and data updates.
The technical team verified locations and area measurements by comparing satellite imagery with drone photography and by using the Avenza mobile app to capture ground positions and travel routes. The team also requested baseline demographic, land-use and hydrological data from local authorities to update agricultural land-cover maps for national roads 5 and 6 corridors around the lake.
Key Developments
On 19 June 2026, the head of the mixed agriculture office and a technical working group conducted on-site inspections that combined remote-sensing review and ground verification. Field methods reported include the extraction of satellite-derived candidate sites, drone imaging for higher-resolution confirmation, and the Avenza app for georeferenced field notes and route tracking.
The planned outputs listed by the team include updated agricultural land-cover maps for the six provinces surrounding Tonle Sap along national roads 5 and 6, periodic monitoring reports (quarterly, semi-annual and annual), and technical reports summarizing verification results.
Institutional Role
The Tonle Sap Authority coordinates data collection with district and provincial agencies to assemble multi-source datasets on land use, population distribution and water levels within the basin. The Authority frames these monitoring activities as inputs to basin-level planning and conservation decisions, and as part of regular reporting cycles established in its 2026 work programme.
Operational Implications
Combining satellite imagery, drone photography and mobile geospatial tools supports finer-resolution mapping of agricultural parcels and rapid verification of suspected land-use change. The resulting geospatial dataset can inform subsequent technical analyses, mapping products, and periodic monitoring reports required by the agency’s action plan.
Official Source
Details originate from the Tonle Sap Authority public post of 19 June 2026 and the Authority’s stated 2026 annual action plan for natural resource monitoring.
