NLA offends forest dwellers with nation parks amendments

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

The much-awaited and controversial amendment of the 1961 National Parks Act was passed this morning with the National Legislative Assembly seeing 140 votes in favour, seven abstentions and one vote against.

 

The bill was tabled for the NLA to deliberate in the second and third readings along with its sister Wildlife Conservation Bill yesterday.

 

The deliberation, however, was not finished due to lengthy, heated debates over the last two articles concerning forest dwellers who have conflicting claims of land rights in forests with the state.

 

 

Discussions on the last two articles continued today before the NLA members voted to accept their content, which would allow forest dwellers and other communities to continue living in the forest, but with some limitations set, such as a limited period living in a forest and reduced access to forest resources.

 

Representatives of a forest group yesterday tried to disrupt a meeting and convince the NLA to scrap the two bills but they were apprehended by the police after they refused to stop making noise while members were discussing the legislation. 

 

They were not charged but sent back to their campsite near Wat Benchamabophit a few blocks away.

 

Some 20 representatives led by P-Move, campaigning for forestry community rights, had demanded participation in the NLA’s discussions and were allowed to observe the event for around 15 minutes.

 

Without being able to contribute to the discussion about the bill, they made loud noises after leaving the chamber and insisted that they stay inside the compound.

 

The police said they urged the activists to stop, but they refused, so they were ejected. 

 

P-Move led the forest residents’ representative to Bangkok in late February. They have been camping around the temple in an attempt to influence decision-makers on the legislation, which the group claimed would restrict community rights.

 

The group feared that the two bills would further restrict their rights of access to forests and natural resources.

 

The bills are part of major amendments to the acts on national parks and wildlife conservation which do not address how residents should live in the forest.

 

Some penalties to be imposed under the new bills are also seen as too harsh and further threaten residents, the protesters claimed.

 

P-Move is yet to announce how it will respond.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365367

 

 -- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-07

Forest bills pass NLA despite protests

By PIYAPORN WONGRUNG 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Protection improved but bills fail to involve forest dwellers in co-management.

 

THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly yesterday passed two amendments to the forestry and wildlife bills, which for the first time will allow forest dwellers and communities with overlapping claims to continue living “lawfully” in the forest – under some conditions.

 

The National Parks Act and the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act have been in use for nearly 60 years, and have not really addressed the conflicts between long-time forest dwelling families and the need for natural protection. The government has only ever taken temporary measures to deal with these issues. 

 

The incumbent junta-led government last year decided to issue a new policy that allows some people to continue living in forests under certain preservationist restrictions. The move prompted concerned agencies including the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation department to amend their laws to bring the practice more in line with the government’s new direction.

 

The restrictions on forest living include allowing it only for a limited period of time, limiting access to forest resources and zoning.

 

Phanudej Kerdmali, secretary-general of the Seub Nakhasathien group, said the bills introduced an “unprecedented” directive that would allow the authorities and local people to find a resolution and work together to protect forest resources.

 

In addition, the bills aim to reach a balance and compromise between the use of forest resources and environmental protection, through designated utilisation zones, increased power for authorities and penalties against those who violate the law.

 

Calls for joint forest management

 

The new amendments have also fixed some flaws and loopholes in the dated laws by allowing people to participate in designating new protected areas, as well as increased protection and regulations for certain species. The changes also address activities deemed harmful to the ecosystem, including introducing alien species and private zoos.

 

However, opposition remains, particularly among some forest dwellers, who believe the revised laws will allow the state to abuse its power rather than promote participation in joint management of forest resources.

 

Led by P-Move, representatives of forest dwellers came to Bangkok and camped near the Parliament to protest against the deliberation of the amendments. Their efforts failed as the bills sailed through the second and third readings with 140 votes each yesterday.

 

The bills will be passed on for royal endorsement before being published in the Royal Gazette and put into effect.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365400

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-08

 

I learned two new terms:

 

Stealing things from the national forest is called "joint management"

Stealing land from the national forest is called "conflicting claims of land rights"

 

Sounds like the new bill encourages encroachment and concedes land that has been stolen. Nothing here looks promising for the forest. I don't get this approach at all.

 

 

It would be interesting to know who these 'forest dwellers' are (eg ethnicity? how many? where? there for how long?). And what is their conservation record vs that of the supposedly responsible government departments?)