Lake Yeak Laom

Lake Yeak Laom
Lake Yeak Laom
បឹងយក្សឡោម (Khmer)
	Aerial view
	Lake Yeak Laom
Location	Ratanakiri, Cambodia
Coordinates	13°43′48″N 107°00′54″E / 13.730°N 107.015°E
Type	crater lake
Basin countries	Cambodia
Max. length	750 metres (2,460 ft)
Max. width	750 metres (2,460 ft)
Surface area	0.44 square kilometres (0.17 sq mi)
Max. depth	48 m (157 ft)

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Lake Yeak Laom (Khmer: បឹងយក្សឡោម, Bœ̆ng Yôks Laôm [ɓəŋ jĕək laom]) is a volcanic crater lake and a tourist destination in the commune of Yeak Laom, Banlung Municipality, Ratanakiri Province, in north-eastern Cambodia. It is about 5 km south of Banlung town, the provincial capital, and is located in a protected area. In 2012, Lake Yeak Laom was selected among the 15 most beautiful crater lakes in the world.^[1]

Geology

Around 700,000 years ago, a volcanic eruption resulted in the creation of the lake in Ratanakiri's mountain region.^[2] The shore of Yeak Laom Lake forms an almost perfect circle. It is 800 meters in diameter, and about 48 meters deep. Its shape and depth are due to its volcanic's origin.^[3]

Local beliefs

The Tampuan folklore, the lake was formed by a giant digging a pit to retrieve his beautiful daughter from a suitor with whom she had run away. Rain filled the pit, creating the lake.^[4]

The lake and forest area have spiritual significance for the Tampuan people, who perform ritual offerings during harvesting, planting or family sickness.^[5]

Climate

Banlung's rainy season occurs from May–October while it has dry periods from December–February. On average, the warmest month is April, and the coolest month is January. July is the wettest month while January is the driest.^[6]

Tourist activity

Yak Loam is a popular tourist destination, taking only 10 minutes by car or tuktuk from Banlung town. The lake is encircled by a ring of forest, and the clear emerald water is used for swimming, with life-jackets provided. A 3-kilometer path circles around the lake, with a small museum offering insight into Tampuan culture. Handicraft stores selling souvenirs made by the hill tribes living nearby are found at the entrance, and ethnic costumes can be hired for photo shoots.^[7] The hill tribes also sell fresh honey combs, rice wine, dried beef, wild fruits and other snacks.^[8] The entrance fee is $0.25 for Cambodian nationals and $2 for international visits. Food can be brought from outside, or purchase from stalls.^[9]

Protected area and management

Before 1995, environmental impacts from litter and agricultural were increasing. That year, the provincial authority and the International Development Research Centre (UK) began environmental protection and education activities with the Tampuen community around the lake, with the community itself taking over the project in 1997.^[5]

The governor of Ratanakiri approved a 25-year agreement for the local Tampuen community to manage the lake and surrounding area. Indigenous land rights were explicitly included in land laws introduced in 2001. A Community Based Tourism Committee of ten elders was formed with one man and one woman from each of the five Tampuen villages in the area, with this committee overseeing activities with proceeds from the entry fee going back into supporting the community and the ongoing protection of the lake and the surrounding forest. Tampuen guides provide nature tours around the lake, and community members perform traditional dance to raise money for community development.^[5]

A 2018 sub decree from the Ministry of Environment established Boeng Yeak Laom Multiple Use Area covering 36.2 hectares, which includes the lake and the surrounding ring of forest.^[10]

References

^ "15 Of The Most Beautiful Crater Lakes Around The World". Earth Porm. 2014-07-20. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
^ "Boeng Yeak Lom | Ban Lung, Cambodia Attractions". www.lonelyplanet.com. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
^ "Yeak Laom". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
^ Khmer Historical Place- រឿង ស្រះយក្សឡោម [Yeak Loam Lake], archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2019-11-01
^ ^a ^b ^c Heather, Zeppel (2006). Indigenous Ecotourism: Sustainable Development and Management. CABI. p. 241.
^ "Weather and Climate information for every country in the world". weather-and-climate.com. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
^ "Boeng Yeak Loam". angkorfocus.com. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
^ "Yeak Laom Lake". exploreratanakiri.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
^ "Yeak Laom Volcanic Lake". Retrieved 2019-11-01.
^ Sub-decree No. 78 on the establishment of Boeng Yeak Laom Multiple Use Area. https://data.opendevelopmentcambodia.net/en/dataset/076574fb-d01f-4a73-b461-a05832cc99e3

[1] "15 Of The Most Beautiful Crater Lakes Around The World". Earth Porm. 2014-07-20. Retrieved 2019-11-01.

[2] "Boeng Yeak Lom | Ban Lung, Cambodia Attractions". www.lonelyplanet.com. Retrieved 2019-11-01.

[3] "Yeak Laom". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2019-11-01.

[4] Khmer Historical Place- រឿង ស្រះយក្សឡោម [Yeak Loam Lake], archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2019-11-01

[:0-5] Heather, Zeppel (2006). Indigenous Ecotourism: Sustainable Development and Management. CABI. p. 241.

[6] "Weather and Climate information for every country in the world". weather-and-climate.com. Retrieved 2019-11-01.

[7] "Boeng Yeak Loam". angkorfocus.com. Retrieved 2019-11-01.

[8] "Yeak Laom Lake". exploreratanakiri.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.

[9] "Yeak Laom Volcanic Lake". Retrieved 2019-11-01.

[10] Sub-decree No. 78 on the establishment of Boeng Yeak Laom Multiple Use Area. https://data.opendevelopmentcambodia.net/en/dataset/076574fb-d01f-4a73-b461-a05832cc99e3

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v t e Protected areas of Cambodia
National Parks	Botum Sakor National Park Central Cardamom Mountains National Park Hun Sen Russei Trep National Park Kep National Park Kirirom National Park Koh Rong Marine National Park O'Yadav National Park Phnom Kulen National Park Preah Monivong National Park Ream National Park Southern Cardamom National Park Vensai Siempang National Park Virachey National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries	Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuary Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuary Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary Phnom Nam Lyr Wildlife Sanctuary Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary Phnom Sankos Wildlife Sanctuary Phnom Thnout-Phnom Pok Wildlife Sanctuary Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary Prek Prasab Wildlife Sanctuary Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary Sambor Wildlife Sanctuary Sanka Rokhavan Wildlife Sanctuary Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary Stung Sen Wildlife Sanctuary Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary
Protected Landscapes	An Long Pring Ang Trapeng Thmor Angkor Banteay Chhmar Boeng Lomkod Boeng Prektub Boeung Prek Lpov North Tonle Sap Phnom Krang Dey Meas Prasat Bakan (Kampong Svay) Preah Vihear Roneam Daun Sam Sambor Prey Kok Temple Yak Oum-Yakara
Multiple Use Areas	Boeng Chhmar Multiple Use Area Boeng Yeak Laom Multiple Use Area Dong Peng Multiple Use Area Kbal Chay Multiple Use Area Phnom Neang Kong Rey Multiple Use Area Prek Toal Multiple Use Area Punchearkrek Multiple Use Area Samlaut Multiple Use Area Sorsor Sdam Sat Tor Multiple Use Area Stung Sen Multiple Use Area Tonle Sap Multiple Use Area
Natural Heritage Sites	Phnom Tbeng Natural Heritage Park Phnom Yat Natural Heritage Park
Other	Boeng Tonle Chhmar Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve Stung Treng Ramsar Koh Kae Protected Resort
Former protected areas	Roneam Daun Sam Wildlife Sanctuary Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary