Road Project Cutting Through Kanchanaburi National Parks Suspended

[Jai Dee]

A road project which cuts through Kanchanaburi national parks is suspended

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has suspended the Highway Department’s construction of a road which will cut through Sri Nakharin (ศรีนครินทร์) dam and Erawan (เอราวัณ) national parks in Kanchanaburi.

National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Damrong Pidej (ดำรง พิเดช) said the suspension of the project was necessary pending an environmental impact assessment (EIA).

Mr. Damrong said building a road through a national park requires EIA results and permission from his department. In this case, the law was broken as nothing has been done but contract has already been awarded to the bidding winner, he said.

Mr. Damrong said he will report the problem to Natural Resource and Environment Minister Yongyuth Titapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Environmental effects of a road project in Kanchanaburi will be assessed

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department will inspect areas in two national parks in Kanchanaburi planned for a road construction.

The department has suspended the construction carried out by the Highway Department out of concern for damage to the environment and ecological system.

The Highway planned to cut a 40-kilometre-long paved road from Huay Khamin (ห้วยขมิ้น) Waterfall in Srinakharin (ศรีนครินทร์) Dam National Park to Erawan (เอราวัณ) Waterfall in Erawan National Park.

Damras Suk-aram (ดำรัส สุขอร่าม), heads of Sri Nakharin Dam National Park, said aside from impact on the environment, the road also could be used for trafficking in illegal immigrants from Myanmar to factories in Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Ratchaburi.

Mr. Damras said he will take a team of journalists to survey the project site on July 3 and 4.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 July 2006

[Kan Win]

In the Bangkok Post Yesterday

Plan to upgrade road opposed

Residents of remote tambons Mae Krabung and Tha Kradan have repeated demands for the National Parks Office to allow them to pave the road to their communities, calling it their only lifeline to modernisation. Provincial authorities are also calling on the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department to endorse upgrading the 40km road stretching from the Erawan waterfall to the Huay Mae Khamin waterfall to relieve hardship for about 5,000 villagers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The mentioned road, which has been in existents for a long time now.

The Start of the road, just passed the Erawan Waterfall. 42 km

Road No. 6043

View along the way

Turn off into the entrance

Top of Mae Khamin - Waterfall on the Left

Mae Khamin Waterfall - Level 4

Go to Erawan Waterfall and just passed that there is a turn off to your left to Srinakharin Dam National Park. Only 42 km thereafter on a very rough no tarmac road you will reach it. This was my second time there, but went there on that rough road. Near on 2 hours on that road to go 42 kms. I would not advise this road. Use the other route.

See below:-

The first time, I went the long way around on an easier way, on two ferries across the Srinakarin Reservoir. Great views there as well along that way. Go during the "Rainy Season" then the Waterfall should be as full as you have see in my photo, but not by the other route.

Mae Khamin Waterfall - Level 3, just a short way down from Level 4

Plenty of Car Parking space, camping, toilets, showers, F&B available. Entrance fee 200 baht for non Thais.

Have fun, a great place IMHO breath taking views and not too much walking at all.

Yours truly,

Kan Win

P.S. for Bigger Photos click below.

Water and Falls

[Kan Win]

In today’s Bangkok Post

Opposition to forest road softens

Project supported on humanitarian grounds

PIYAPORN WONGRUANG

The Rural Roads Department's plan to upgrade the road has run into opposition from forestry officials and environmentalists who fear the development would harm the western forest complex.

Kanchanaburi _ The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has softened its opposition to the controversial road upgrade project in the national parks and will allow construction work to begin after the Rural Roads Department (RRD) completes its environmental impact assessment of the project. The 40km-long road, the main transportation route for at least 1,200 villagers, links the Huay Mae Kamin waterfall in the Srinakarind Dam and the Erawan waterfall in the Erawan national park _ the province's major tourist attractions.

*******

The Kanchanaburi Governor recently approved a budget of 32 million baht for the construction of the first 10-km section of the road.

*******

However, after a two-day inspection trip and discussions with local administrative bodies and villagers, which ended yesterday, the department chief apparently changed his position.

Mr Damrong said the department would give the green light to the road project only after the national park committee agrees with the RRD's environmental impact mitigation plan and the RRD agrees to limit the road's width to less than seven metres to enable wild animals to safely cross the road.

*******

etc......

*******

Could be good news at last for Kan

Yours truly,

Kan Win