New effort to tackle
encroachers - May 7, 2005
The armed forces, police and the Natural Resources and
Environment Ministry have launched a fresh effort to crack down on forest
encroachers and illegal loggers, by setting up a special task force to
pursue poachers across the country.
The army, air force, navy, and the police yesterday signed a memorandum of
understanding with the ministry, promising to allocate more manpower and
equipment to support the ministry's forest protection operation.
The move came after an investigation into alleged mangrove encroachment in
Rayong and Koh Chang by Charoen Phokapand Group, a giant agribusiness firm
known to have close ties with the ruling Thai Rak Thai party.
''This is a clear message to those who are breaching forestry and wildlife
protection laws that the government is serious,'' said Natural Resources and
Environment minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat.
Mr Yongyuth will take a two-day inspection trip to alleged mangrove
encroachment site in Koh Chang, Trat province, tomorrow.
Under the MoU, the air force will increase its capability in forest fire
fighting, the navy will work harder on protecting and patrolling marine
national parks, while police will help investigate cases, he said.
Mr Yongyuth conceded the government's suppression of forest encroachment in
the past was lax due to lack of cooperation between the ministry, military,
and police.
''The ministry needs strong support from the military and police to unmask
the big operators involved in public land encroachment and illegal logging,
said Mr Yongyuth.
The task force, he said, would focus on intelligence operations to track
down the wrongdoers, including government officials, who take part in
unlawful practices.
Government officials who supply information on forest poaching leading to
the arrest of the poachers would get cash rewards.
Mr Yongyuth said he would ask cabinet to approve a budget of at least 10
million baht budget for the operation.
Police inspector-general Pol-Gen Seripisuth Temiyavej said illegal logging
was widespread in the northern and western regions. Illegal imports and
exports of timber along the Thai-Burmese border were still a prime concern.
|
