National Park on Thai–Burma border largely deforested

by Usa Pichai
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 22:07

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Thai authorities have increased surveillance in the National Park on the Thailand–Burma border in Chumporn Province because of severe deforestation and hunting of wildlife.

Karan Supakijvilekakarn, Governor of Chumporn Province said on Monday that the local authorities in the Chumporn Province border with Mon State of Burma would increase restriction after it found a large area of Krom Laung Chumporn National Park was deforested and being trespassed. It could be linked to businessmen and local politicians.

“The Thai cabinet imposed martial law in 2008 in this area to protect the national park. Thai military will send troops to the area on 16, November 2009 because it fears that the problem would increase and affect the bilateral relationship with neighboring countries,” he said, according to a report in a Thai news website Manager.

The national park is in Tasae district of Chumporn province in southern Thailand. The deforestation and trespassing was by businessmen who want to be into coffee or palm oil plantation by hiring local Thai and Burmese villagers to cut trees. Currently the destroyed area is about 20 000 rais or 8,000 acres.

In addition, Damnern Woraphan, a staff of the Wild Life Rescue Center Chumporn Province, Wild Life Friend of Thailand Foundation said that the problem of wild life hunting for commercial purposes has increased particularly along the Thailand – Burma border in Tasae district.

“A number of hunters hunt for rare animals and sell them in the local markets. The buyers are both Thai and Burmese. Officials are reluctant to solve the problems,” he said.

Damnern added with the holiday season hunting is increasing every year because restaurants on the roadside record a high demand for wildlife products to sell to tourists.

Damnern also urged local authorities to increase restriction on hunters and wildlife buyers which is illegal.

Recently, Thaweesak Thanadechopol, Chumporn Irrigation Department Director said that currently, 12 small reservoirs in the national park are dry because of deforestation.

Last week, Suwaroj Palang, MP said at a press conference on Tuesday that he does not link the case of land trespassing and deforestation in Chumporn Province when a report revealed that there are some politicians who have a nexus. However, the government has set up a committee to resolve the problem and stop deforestation. Cooperation from local villagers was sought to look after the forest in their neighbourhood and inform officials if they see poachers.