NGO proposes closure of Khao Yai national park during dry season

[webfact]

An NGO proposes closure of Khao Yai national park during dry season



BANGKOK: -- A non-governmental organization dedicated to Khao Yai wildlife conservation has recommended the temporary close of Khao Yai national park during the dry season from March to May in order to allow nature to heal itself.

Mr Kritachai Sukmangsa, president of the Association of Khao Yai Dong Phayayen Forest Conservation Network, said that the recommendation was based on the following reasons:

– Illegal logging of Payoong trees. He suspected that some unscrupulous Khao yai park officials might have involved because the illegal activities took place in the national park and sometimes, seized Payoong logs stored in the park had been stolen.

– During the dry season, wild animals usually venture out of the park area in search of food and water, hence causing damages to villagers’ crops resulting in conflicts between humans and animals. He suggested that more food and water should be supplied to the animals and more fences should be built to prevent the animals from encroaching on villagers’ property.

– Several animals such as deer and monkeys are killed each year by motorists as they snatch food from tourists. Temporary closure of the park will enable these animals to forage for food in the wood.

– Alleged misuse of public donations for Khao Yai shrine. The money should be used to support patrol missions by park officials, education and welfare of park officials and their children and should not have been used to buy an overpriced ambulance.

– The public is not represented in Khao Yai national park committee. The association used to propose a people’s representative in the committee but this was rejected by the National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation.

Mr Kritachai said the park has never been closed once for the past 54 years since its opening.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ngo-proposes-closure-khao-yai-national-park-dry-season/


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-28

[clockman]

There are good people out there. But so much scum, we can hardly see them!

[tuanku]

I can see all the problems mentioned, and many others. I simply cannot see how closure of the Park would solve them.

I can also propose some solutions which I suggest would go much further;

For illegal logging, set up an elite, well paid (to reduce the possibility of corruption) paramilitary patrol body and have them out in the forest protecting the trees.

For animal human conflict, restore the original buffer zone around the park, now extensively given over to resorts and agriculture right up to the boundary. also make the links between the park and Thaplan which were a condition of UNESCO status by either making a tunnel or an elevated road for the 304.

Close the central section of the road between Pak Chong and Prachinburi to all traffic except park vehicles. This will eliminate the vehicles using the park road as a short-cut.

Instead of charging Foreigners 400 Baht, charge ALL VEHICLES, including motorbikes, a minimum 400 baht and charge all PEOPLE regardless of nationality the Thai price of 40 Baht. Additionally provide car parks at both entrance gates and a safe songthaew or minibus service at a reasonable cost.

Have a quota system for vehicles in the Park and tally entries so the gates shut when it is "full" Vehicles then need to queue at the gates until leaving vehicles permit entry.

Install CCTV and speed cameras and ban vehicles recorded speeding or feeding wildlife from future park entries.

Pay Park personnel a decent living wage (it is ludicrous that they should need charity from shrine donations) and reduce their numbers if necessary to support this. To earn this wage set out realistic job descriptions and have an appraisal system to ensure the standards are met.

By all means allow public representation but remember this Park is a National, as well as a local asset.

Unfortunately these are first world concepts and would be unlikely to even be considered by the Park Authorities.