Pine trees planted to reduce potential damage in disaster areas

PHUKET: -- Thailand’s government plans to plant pine trees to help reduce the potential damage caused by future natural disasters, including tsunamis, according to the minister for Natural Resources and Environment Yongyut Tiyapairat.

The government and Chulalongkorn University plan to jointly grow pine trees in areas which are prone to natural disasters.

Areas covered with pine trees were only slightly damage during December’s tsunami because the trees helped reduce the impact of the massive waves, Mr. Yongyut said.

The pine tree planting programme will be launched on 20 May. The trees will be grown along areas believed to be at risk from natural disasters. They will extend for six kilometres.

The program will serve as a model. If it proves successful, the trees will be planted in other areas, Mr. Yongyut said.

Ninety percent of natural parks hit by the tsunami have now re-opened to the public, the minister said. The rest will be opened to visitors soon, he added

--TNA 2005-04-30

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