Touring the mangrove.

An overview over the mangroves from a bridge at the end of the reserves elevated boardwalk trough the forest.

The mangrove-the very special forests standing in water along the coasts of the tropics-i a nature type that is highly important. It prevents coastal erosion-an increasing problem. An it is an important nursery ground for a wealth of marine species which cannot survive the vulnerable first period of their lives out in the open sea. The mangrove, however, is rapidly being destroyed all over its natural zone of distribution. In Asia a common reason being the clearing of space for marine farming-especially prawnfarming. Woodcutting for charcoal production is another important reason.
In safari context it is a mostly overlooked naturetype. It is often difficult to see spectacular wildlife, and the word jungle is so more sexy. Many tourists don't even know what mangrove is.
Koh kong, a town on the Cambodian side of the Thailand-Cambodia border is a good place to take a boattrip trough the mangroves. Nearby is one of the largest intact mangroveforets left in Asia, protected in the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary. A 23750 hectares area of forests, waterways and also settlements. some 10000 people live inside the reserves boundaries. Fishing being an important way of living.

I rented a boat for my trip to the mangroves-with an early 7 am departure in a lovely weather. First we crossed the river, going outside a large, stilted fishing settlement, bustling with fishery activity along its riverfront. Then we crossed the river and headed into the sheltered mangrove channels. Giving sort of an Amazon river feeling. It was relatively clean and shining green.

The network of roots efficiently combats the forces of the rainy season and the ocean. This is along a river, but the tidal action is strong.

The boardwalk trough the forest. The only way to get inside it-a mangrove forest with its web of intertangled roots is virtually impossible to penetrate. Unless you cut yourself trough it-being prepared to do it standing in stinking mud. But with the exception of crabs on the tree roots, i saw no wildlife there. Lot of noisy people being the reason. 

Reflections in a small field of crystal clear water.

The human element. Emptying fishingnets for bounty. Without the protective mangrove, this net would have been next to empty.

Villagers returning home from town. And they are a friendly bunch.

The fishing district in Koh Kong itself.

A vessel loaded with camouflaged traps.