Abstract/Summary

This literature review, produced under the Water Resources Management Research Capacity Development Programme (WRMRCDP), offers a foundational assessment of water resources management and governance in Cambodia. Drawing on international, regional, and national experiences, the paper explores the physical, institutional, and legal dimensions of water management, with a focus on catchment areas surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake. It highlights the interconnected nature of surface and groundwater systems, the ecological impacts of human interventions such as dam construction, and the importance of integrated water resources management (IWRM). Governance challenges are examined through the lens of decentralisation, institutional fragmentation, and evolving perceptions of water as both a public and economic good. The review also addresses Cambodia’s legal framework, including recent legislation and customary practices, and identifies gaps in enforcement and coordination. Key issues such as scarcity, conflict, and stakeholder participation are discussed in relation to irrigation development and catchment management. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions and emphasising the need for multidisciplinary approaches to support sustainable and equitable water governance in Cambodia. This work serves as a stepping stone for further empirical research and policy development aimed at enhancing water resource management capacity in the country.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64202/wp.37.200805