City folk urged to help farmers save forests

[rooster59]

City folk urged to help farmers save forests

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

A maize barn is seen in front of lush forest at Doi Phu Ka National Park in Nan, showing the encroachment of a maize plantation into the forest.

 

CITY dwellers have been urged to help people who live near the source of major rivers to preserve dwindling forestland for the benefit of the nation.

 

With drought and flood problems in the Chao Phraya River basin, many people in Bangkok blame deforestation on rural residents who live near the heads of rivers for expanding farms and aggravating Thailand’s water woes.

 

The issue can be clearly seen in Nan province, where some 1.8 million rai (288,000 hectares) of mountainous forestland, at the head of the Nan River, has been turned into maize plantations. Many urban people criticised people in Nan for damaging the environment.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30305697

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-05

[canopy]

It is not that people are poor that leads them to deforestation, but rather greed. These people are all around me and some do it, others just as poor do not. The one thing they have in common is no one cares so the article is probably correct that it's going to take city folks to step in and put a stop to it.

 

[Brer Fox]

The city slickers couldn't give a rat's A for what happens in the country. They live in a different world. They might visit the country occasionally and throw their rubbish around  but that's about it.

[Bluespunk]

"“The people here [at the head of the river] are poor, so they encroach on the forests for more land to plant maize in a contract farming system. This system is very convenient for the farmers, but in the end they will not escape the poverty, as the cost of seeds, fertiliser, and pesticide is high. So they have to expand to get even more farmland for more money,” he said."

 

So, it is the farmers then...

[jak2002003]

They will end up every poorer after they run out of forest to cut down... and the land left after the way they farm it will be useless with impoverished soil, erosion and no organic matter left to support future corps.

 

 

 

[robblok]

48 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

"“The people here [at the head of the river] are poor, so they encroach on the forests for more land to plant maize in a contract farming system. This system is very convenient for the farmers, but in the end they will not escape the poverty, as the cost of seeds, fertiliser, and pesticide is high. So they have to expand to get even more farmland for more money,” he said."

 

So, it is the farmers then...

Yes but he blames the city folks.. nice to turn it around.. so typical. 

[maewang99]

this is way more serious a topic than it seems. but not about fresh water resources.

but the forests.
 

if the duration of any future drought combines with a continuation of the ****current**** 2 SD from pre 1960's temperatures..... it is the forests that will be a much bigger problem.  the kind of thing already seen in California and Australia.     

small changes can be very big. 

hope that we came close in recent years only because it was a temporary weather/El Nino thing.

if not, conflagrations on a scale never seen before are physics.
 

[AGareth2]

there has to be a time limit on the gov reclaiming forest land

I've farmed for 12 years after buying in good faith

with a deed

now am about to lose over 100 rai

[toybits]

Easiest thing to do is to point your finger. Yeah! That's going to work.  No need for economists, sociologists, NGOs or Government Agencies. The private sector will just URGE those culprits to be more conscientious and adopt greener ways of life.

[leftorright]

The most influential players in this game probably are the big companies buying all that maize. Those are the likes of CP, who use maize as animal feed for their meat producing activities. If these would desire (encouraged by critical consumers and/or informed by long-term self-interest) more sustainable maize-growing practices, they would probably be able to organize it.  

[avocadowangnamkeouw]

Protection of National Parks in Thailand using law enforcement so that the forests  are not burned up or chopped down and turned into corn fields or resorts is under the Thai legal framework close to impossible.

This legal framework gives the Court no instruments to penalies a government or government official if it not enforces law. What's easier for a local government official to let his family and friends and all the rest encroach the forest to plant some cash crop? What's the chance the big brothers and cousins in central government will send in the troops?

[tominbkk]

It's about having competent and empathetic government planners.  Nothing we can do about it if the corrupt government doesn't have an altruistic plan for development.

[avocadowangnamkeouw]

How do you get a not corrupt empathic government with a legal framework

with perverse incentives within the system that opens the door to potential abuse and corruption?

[cardinalblue]

When's Earth Day? Make it similar to their 7 dangerous day campaign....

 

if one has a proper title one doesn't lose their land....no problem with cheap Charlie's  losing the land that they don't own...follow proper channels or be a squatter 

[elgordo38]

15 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Many urban people criticised people in Nan for damaging the environment.

Its a world wide problem encroachment. Ask the tigers, elephants and the rest of the wildlife well if they could talk anyways. The overriding factor of food for the belly and a roof over the head during a rainstorm is all that matters to these people. Can you blame them?? They have a right to survive to.