PCD TO PROPOSE SCHEME TO FIGHT HAZE IN NORTH
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) plans to put forward its nine-point anti-haze plan, which includes a ban on outdoor fires in the nine northern-most provinces during the “80 dangerous days” between January 21 and April 10, 2013. It will
Meanwhile, PCD chief Wichien Jungrungreung visited Nan yesterday to gather public opinion on the plan that aims to tackle the annual haze problem, which this year alone caused damage worth Bt390 million.
Wichien presided over a brainstorming session for haze solution at Muang Nan Municipality Office, which was attended by 500 officials, local administrators and community leaders from 40 villages.
PCD plans to gather public opinions in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae and Tak and use them in its recommendations to the Cabinet.
Wichien said that next year Thailand, especially the upper North region, will have dry weather and the haze problem will get worse due to the El Nino phenomenon, hence the agency has drafted its nine-point plan to ban outdoor fires during this period.
He explained on Monday that the plan would mark out zones and calculate each province’s potential for outdoor fires in order to keep pollution at bay.
The plan also includes the establishment of a haze prevention |and mitigation coordination centre for the upper North as well as cooperation with neighbouring countries such as Laos and Myanmar, he said.
Wichien added that the PCD would seek Bt900 million to implement this plan in 9,000 villages in the nine provinces.
According to the plan, Bt20,000 will be granted to each village to examine their potential problems and formulate an anti-fire scheme. Villages that manage to prevent the incidence of outdoor fires will be awarded Bt100,000 each.
The PCD chief said he will be asking private firms linked with corn farmers, such as CP Plc, to meet the department today to discuss measures to control outdoor fires.
On Monday, deputy permanent secretary for the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Supoj Towichukchaikul said the haze issue should be pushed as a national agenda so agencies can take it seriously, adding that the government should work on educating the public about the issue.
He said information on haze problems was currently available on the Facebook page “Roo Tan Mhok Kwan” (Knowing Haze).
