Massive forest fires threaten bird sanctuary

[rooster59]

Massive forest fires threaten bird sanctuary

PHNOM PENH: A massive fire in Battambang province of Cambodia which started in early April has already destroyed 5,000 hectares of the mangrove forest and is threatening the Prek Toal bird sanctuary.

The Phnom Penh Post reported on Friday that Prek Toal forms the core area of the Tonle Sap biosphere, an area some exports said to be a single most important breeding ground for water fowls in Southeast Asia.

For the past ten days, fire has come within hundreds of metres from Prek Toal village and, on Wednesday, a column of smoke loomed over the floating settlement.

Prek Toal core director Long Keng was in Phnom Penh Wednesday reporting to officials the situation on the ground and collecting salaries for rangers and villagers who volunteered to fight the fire.

He said that at least 25 percent of the mangrove forest totaling 21,342 hectares was burned. He added he would appeal to the Unesco for help.

Independent researchai Veerachai Tanpipat said in an e-mail in April said fire activities in the region are still going on which is not normal, as forest fire season usually should be over by now.

Meanwhile, experts from Asean are expected to discuss the region’s fire concerns later this month in Bangkok organized by the Thai Forest Department and Korean Forest Service.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/163308

-- Thai PBS 2016-05-14

[pumpuy]

What a pity ... ( that nobody really cares >>>>)