The government and farmers need to clear the air

Every dry season, the northern provinces of Thailand are in danger from bushfires and forest fires that not only destroy the environment but also affect the air quality in large areas and for thousands of people. This year, the situation is unlikely to improve. Phaisan Satiwiboon of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said that a survey made on February 21 found almost 300 bushfires scattered around eight provinces in the North. There were 85 bushfires in Chiang Mai, 44 in Mae Hong Son and 30 in Lampang. Most of these fires occurred in agricultural areas and national parks. 

Although bushfires in other parts of the country have showed signs of decreasing, the situation in the northern provinces is still worrisome. Some farmers burn forest areas around this time of year to prepare land for crop planting from March to April.

Environmental damage and air pollution caused by wildfires are an ongoing problem in the northern provinces. Many valleys in the North offer ideal conditions for the spread of fires, as the terrain obstructs the flow of air. A side effect of this problem is that, at this time of year, many in the northern provinces suffer from various respiratory illnesses due to the air pollution.

Although the PM10 level – which is used to measure the density of airborne pollutant particles – indicates that air quality in the northern provinces is still generally at a satisfactory level, the indicator usually worsens in the dry season because of the increased number of bushfires.

The recent hazy atmosphere in many northern provinces shows that farmers have started to burn off fields and forests for new crop plantation. Government officials have tried to make farmers follow a systematic schedule for burning, to enable the authorities to carry out reforestation to replace burnt trees. But the farmers tend to burn large areas of land, including forests, at the same time, which makes it difficult for authorities to control the resultant fires and the pollution.

But farmers are not solely to blame for the fires. Some wildfires are either caused accidentally by irresponsible people, or deliberately by others, even though they are aware of the danger and the warnings against doing so. For instance, the burning of grass verges along roadsides can also cause wildfires, threatening both the environment and people’s lives.

The thriving tourism industry and the business sector in the North also contribute to damage to the environment and ecosystems. These businesses often need new locations for expansion purposes, resulting in an ever-wider encroachment upon forests.

Airborne pollutant particles also come from sources other than agriculture, such as the burning of garbage and waste, domestic wood burners, emissions from cars and smoke from factories and industrial plants. Combined with the seasonal burning of land for farming, these factors all contribute to the increase in pollution which can cause serious health problems and exacerbate existing illnesses such as asthma.

The northern provinces are among the country’s premier tourist destinations. The region is known as a sanctuary for those who like to get away from it all, to enjoy a peaceful vacation in a natural environment. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing number of bushfires threatens that idyllic image – and the worst of the problem coincides with a time of year when there are numerous visitors to the region. If this issue is not addressed properly, it will eventually affect the economic and social development of the region, as it already has the environment and health.

This issue comes up every year, suggesting that it is unlikely to go away soon, unless all parties cooperate to prevent the fires raging out of control. A constructive solution should be sought, among all parties, to ensure that the northern region maintains its charm, as well as its position as a desirable location for residents and tourists alike.