THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Forest Act revision to ease outdated rules on felling of trees

Forest Act revision to ease outdated rules on felling of trees

Privately grown trees outside protected forests could in future be legally cut down for logging as long as people were able to show proof of ownership via land-deed documents, according to a public hearing held yesterday on amending the 77-year-old Forest Act of 1941.

The proposed amendment forms part of the forestry reform plan steered by the natural resources and environment reform committee, appointed last year under the national reform law.
Under the proposals, people would also be allowed to cut down trees prone to harming life and/or property. 
However, for those trees growing in the Kingdom’s forests, more stringent measures would be put in place to control illegal logging, the hearing was told. 
Those found to have illegally logged precious trees, such as teak, rosewood and other prohibited wood, would face severe penalties of up to 20 years in jail or a maximum fine of Bt2 million.
Log processing would also be tightly controlled, the forum heard.
Last but not least, the vague definition of “forest” would be redefined.
Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, vice chair of the natural resources and environment reform committee, who heard and gathered views from the forum, said the amendment of the law would be completed by the end of next month. 
It would then be forwarded to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry with a view to its submission to the Cabinet for further legal proceedings, he said.

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