70 Million Rai Of Distributed National Reserved Forests To Be Inspected

[Jai Dee]

Forest Department inspecting whether 70 million rai of distributed national reserved forests have been properly used

The Royal Forest Department is now inspecting the 70 million rai of national reserved forest areas that have been distributed to agriculturists, and will promote forest rehabilitation by planting fast-growing specimens.

Acting Director-General of the Royal Forest Department, Phaisan Kuwalairat (ไพศาล กุวลัยรัตน์), said the department has been regrowing or rehabilitating 20% of national reserved forests in the country, and such areas were distributed to poor farmers so they may use the land to make their living, under conditions agreed with the department.

He said forestry officials have been told to inspect the 70-80 million rai of such land that have been distributed to the farmers, under the responsibility of various state agencies, to see whether the agreed conditions have been met. If an area is found to not have met the rehabilitation criteria then the department will move in to promote planting of fast-growing trees. It will also encourage locals to help restore the deteriorated forest lands that they have long exploited.

Mr. Phaisan said if the restoration effort on national reserved forests is successful is will help generate no less than 8.5 million rai of forestland for Thailand, and if the forests are sustained they will help generate add no less than 10 billion baht of economic value each year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 October 2006