Launch of the Crane Rice documentary celebrates the theme of 2025 World Migratory Bird Day

10 May 2025 – The Ministry of Environment and NatureLife Cambodia, with support from BirdLife International and Mandai Nature, has released a new mini-documentary to showcase Crane Rice, an ongoing initiative for biodiversity-friendly rice agriculture, in conjunction with the 2025 World Migratory Bird Day celebrations. The production showcases both the successes and ongoing challenges of this three-year long conservation programme to engage local people, while promoting the conservation of migratory species including the Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone sharpii).

The Sarus Crane is among the most iconic large waterbird in Southeast Asia. The Crane is highly regarded by human communities in the region and is even portrayed in art and architecture from the Angkor period. However, it has undergone a drastic decline across much of Southeast Asia. Today it is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In Cambodia, Sarus Cranes breeding in the Northern and Eastern plains migrate to the Lower Mekong Delta of Cambodia and Vietnam, and the wetlands of the Tonle Sap floodplains annually. According to the 2024 national census, only 178 individuals were recorded. Researchers noted that this is a steep decline of a much larger population just over a decade ago, likely driven by a high mortality rate and reduced nesting success.

The Crane Rice initiative was established in 2019  to promote biodiversity-friendly rice farming practices that protect critical crane habitat while enhancing the livelihoods of local communities through reducing the use of agrochemicals and preserving wetland ecosystems. By 2025, the acreage grown with Crane Rice has expanded to over 185 hectares.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a campaign designed to raise awareness of the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats, convened twice each year in May and October. Each year, WMBD brings together thousands of individuals and organisations around the world to celebrate migratory species, raise awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds and stimulate international cooperation. The Crane Rice documentary is a fitting celebration of the 2025 WMBD theme of ‘Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities’.

Mr. Bou Vorsak, CEO of NatureLife Cambodia, observed, “After three years of piloting, we are encouraged by the positive outcomes of the Crane Rice initiative. We look forward to expanding this programme to deliver an even greater impact for Sarus Crane conservation, and community well-being. We invite the public to watch this documentary, that demonstrates our conservation efforts and support this meaningful initiative.”

H.E Khvay Atitya, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, congratulates the success of the Crane Rice initiative. He emphasized that the Ministry of Environment has collaborated with all development partners to conserve natural resources, especially with the local communities. The conservation of the Sarus Crane depends on the strong support of local communities. This programme has improved rural livelihoods, prevented poisoning, reduced chemical use, and provided important food sources for the cranes. His Excellency spokesperson encourages the public to consume this wildlife-friendly rice—for your health, for our farmers, and conserving Sarus Crane for our future generations.”

Please watch the following “Crane Rice” Video: