Govt to recover forestland from plantations, resorts
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The Royal Thai Forestry Department yesterday unveiled an operation to reclaim at least 30,000 rai (4,800 hectares) of forestland in Phetchabun's Nam Nao and Lom Kao districts - as well as Loei's Dai Sai and Wang Saphung districts - which were encroached
Director-general Theerapat Prayoonsit said at Nam Nao that forestry officials, soldiers and police, provincial administrative officials and community leaders had joined the operation. They inspected the Nam Nao forest where the Pa Sak River originated and found some 20,000 rai transformed into plantations.
A fact-finding committee will probe alleged negligence by state officials overseeing this area. Theerapat said the reclaimed lands would be subject to reforestation; those in fertile forest condition or bordering national parks or wildlife sanctuaries would be declared conservation areas, while others would be considered for community forests, he said.
