Nakhon Si Thammarat Wildfire

[webfact]

Nakhon Si Thammarat wildfire

KRISSANA TIWATSIRIKUL

THE NATION,

Nakhon Si Thammarat

NAKHON SI THAMMARATResidents are struggling to cope with the impact of a forest fire that has already ravaged more than 10,000 rai of land around their homes and villages in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The fire started last week and, despite all-out efforts by officials, continued to burn as of press time.

The fire has hurt locals, many of whom make their living from resources they can find in the forest zone.

"The size of the [fishing] catch has dropped significantly," Sompon Inpayom, a local fisherman, said yesterday.

He also lamented that the forest fire had polluted the air to the point where he was worried about his health.

"While catching fish, I fear for my safety. I am afraid the blaze may change its direction and head towards me," Sompon said. He lives in the Kumpae area of Tambon Bantoon in Cha-Uat district.

Another villager, Samrerng Rinmee, said she collected krajood (Lepironia articulata Retz Domin), a plant from the forest, to make handicrafts for sale.

"I now have to be brave and go into the forest to collect the remaining krajood. Without it, I won't have handicrafts to sell and I will starve," she said.

Supachok Prampoon, who heads a taskforce against illegal logging and the destruction of natural resources, has assigned his team members to several areas to find out who lit fires in the forest zones.

A forest fire in another corner of Nakhon Si Thammarat has eased, making it possible for the airport to resume operations.

On Sunday, the airport suspended its service because smog from the forest fire significantly affected visibility.

-- The Nation 2012-08-15

[scotbeve]

As this occurs every year in most parts in the country (up north it's VERY bad), why not have a MAJOR campaign blitz for education about: foraging, arson, cigarettes thrown out car windows, rice field burn offs, brush and rubbish burn offs?????? Each TAO (Or-bor-tor), should be held responsible for this! Fines should be imposed! On and around our rubber plantations in the north, there have been some close calls. I offered anyone who has information leading to the arrest AND incarceration of "arsonists", a reward of 50,000 baht. We'll see what happens with this......

[cowslip]

As this occurs every year in most parts in the country (up north it's VERY bad), why not have a MAJOR campaign blitz for education about: foraging, arson, cigarettes thrown out car windows, rice field burn offs, brush and rubbish burn offs?????? Each TAO (Or-bor-tor), should be held responsible for this! Fines should be imposed! On and around our rubber plantations in the north, there have been some close calls. I offered anyone who has information leading to the arrest AND incarceration of "arsonists", a reward of 50,000 baht. We'll see what happens with this......

Many countries/environments suffer fire seasons....but if anyone thinks these are simply "natural" think again!!!!!

There have been as any as 33 spots where fires have started.

It is suspected that the fires were started deliberately to clear the land for the ubiquitous planting of palm oil.........

Chief of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation has said that the bush-fires are masterminded by

"politicians at national and local levels"

without forensic evidence - and no-one seems to be gathering any - it is unlikely that anyone (of significance) will ever be held responsible.

Naturally occurring fires are part and parcel of the life cycle of many eco-systems, however if they are started artificially then the effects can be devastating.

There is also the devastation of the livelihoods of those who live in these areas.

Edited August 18, 2012 by cowslip