Last river dolphins, which live in the river Mekong, become the object of the new program, designed to attract tourists to Cambodia.
The project Mekong River Discovery Trail is directed to attract tourists' attention to the endangered species of river dolphins, which live in deep natural reservoirs of the river Mekong between the two poorest provinces of Cambodia - Crati and Stung Treng.
"The principal cause of the project Discovery Trail is exclusive poverty of this region. More than half of population of these provinces spends less than 1 US dollar per day. Owing to the new project for tourist attraction we hope to help not only endangered Cambodia prince chenzhi dolphins, but also people, who live below the poverty line in these places" - has declared Harsh Varma, the director of Development Assistance, World Tourism Organization.
The deep river Mekong runs from the Tibetan mountains through the territory of China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and southern Vietnam and flows into the South China Sea. Many branches of the river have the area of about 40 thousand sq.km. The Mekong is unique because two times a year it changes direction of its current.
In September when the season of rains comes to its end, water directs to the shallow lake Tonle Sap in Cambodia, that is upwards to the source, partially saving delta from flooding. At this time the Mekong becomes shallow, the bottom of its branches becomes drain, and it suits for cropping.
Many years Cambodia has been closed for tourism because of long internal war. Only in the beginning of 1990s foreign travelers appeared in the country.
They are basically attracted by mysteries and beauty of ancient capital of the country - the city of Angkor Vat with its ancient 800-years temple. 1,7 million tourists have visited Cambodia last year. Now the government wishes to expand specialization of entrance tourism and to attract beach rest-lovers.