Koh Ker, former capital of the Khmer Empire at risk
In 2022, the Koh Ker region, capital of the Khmer Empire in the 10th century, was experiencing difficulties due to armed conflict. The 400 hectares had not yet been completely cleared of landmines, compromising the safety of local residents. The situation was also having an impact on local agriculture. The three neighboring villages, with a population of 1,320, depend on rice cultivation, rain-fed crops and livestock.
The region is also close to the Angkor World Heritage Site, visited by 6 million tourists a year. This potential for heritage tourism could contribute to the development of the local economy and the cultural representation of the country. Moreover, the lack of security on the site does not offer optimal conditions for heritage conservation – demining would be the first step.
During the war, Koh Ker's temple artefacts were looted. However, 127 archaeological remains and 76 historic temples are still scattered throughout the forest, and a budget would be needed to preserve them.
Following consultations with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), the National Authority of Preah Vihear (NAPV) of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has requested UNESCO's support in demining the area and preventing illicit heritage trafficking.
UNESCO financed this activity through the Heritage Emergency Fund, a tool for protecting and promoting culture in crisis situations.
Animals at the heart of the demining operation
The first stage consisted of demining the historic site of Koh Ker and its buffer zone in the Kulen district. This work was undertaken by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and AntiPersoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling (APOPO).
The demining operation relied on a team of human and animal technicians – trained dogs and mine-detecting rats, equipped with tracking systems, were at the heart of the operation.
It takes a year to become a HeroRats. At the start of APOPO training, the animals learn to recognise a tea egg containing explosives. On contact with the egg, they detect a noise and their taste buds are rewarded. Gradually, the animals acclimatise to conditions similar to those in the field, hone their sense of smell and become perfectly familiar with the scent of explosives. Accompanied by a metal detector, people can take up to four days to detect a mine, whereas rats need just 30 minutes to search an area the size of a tennis court.
HeroDogs, meanwhile, are spotted in training centers: when a dog shows talent and interest, it has the potential to become a hero. The animal is then taken under the wing of a handler who will accompany it. A close relationship between dog and handler is essential to the success of the mission. The future hero must pass all tests with 100% success before being sent into the field.
In all, more than 300,000 m² were secured. Four landmines and three pieces of unexploded ordnance were discovered.
Protecting heritage and combating illicit trafficking
The outstanding universal value of was officially recognised by UNESCO in 2023 – the archaeological site of ancient Lingapura was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Culture is a powerful tool that not only brings people together, but also bridges the gap of misunderstanding and helps to mitigate conflicts and wars by promoting the idea of peace.
Once the demining operation was over, local communities were made aware of the need to prevent looting and illicit trafficking. Around 140 residents of Sambor, Rom Chek, Kor Ker and North Srayang took part in a workshop on the subject. Students, teachers from Srayang secondary school, local security officers and local authorities also took part in the event. The aim was to enable the local population, and young people in particular, to become guardians of their heritage.
I learned a lot about the importance of preserving the Khmer cultural legacy. I will pass this information on the next generation.
With regard to disaster risk management at Koh Ker, 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ drafted a guidance report identifying the main natural and anthropogenic hazards, providing 27 recommendations for strengthening the property's resilience to disaster risks.
With their keen sense of smell, the animals have helped to secure the Koh Ker area and change the daily lives of its inhabitants, while new tools have been created to enable Koh Ker to embody the culture of their country in a lasting way.
The project "Demining and prevention of illicit trafficking of cultural property in Koh Ker, Cambodia" is financed by the UNESCO Emergency Heritage Fund. We would like to thank its donors: the Qatar Fund for Development, the Government of Canada, the Kingdom of Norway, the French Republic, the Principality of Monaco, ANA Holdings INC, the Republic of Estonia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of Serbia.
