Bangkok, Only 5 days left until the hearing of opinions on the improvement of the boundary of Tap Lan National Park, as the Cabinet has resolved to use the revised boundary survey line from 2000 of One Map, which the NBTC proposed. "Chaiwat" is concerned that the forests of Tap Lan National Park will be cut down by more than 260,000 rai. Mr. Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, Director of the National Park Office, said that the opening of the public hearing on the improvement of the boundary of Thap Lan National Park has been in operation since June 28 and will end on July 12. There are 2 channels for public hearing and participation of stakeholders, related communities, and the public: the on-site meeting on July 4 and 5 in Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces and the website https://portal.dnp.go.th/Content/nationalpark?contentId=37163. There are only 5 days left for the public to express their opinions on the website. On March 14, 2023, the Cabinet approved the designation of the new Tap Lan National Park area according to the improvement of the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1:4000 (One Map), Tap Lan National Park area (Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachin Buri provinces). The resolution of the working group considering the improvement of the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1:4000 (One Map) under the Subcommittee on the Improvement of the State Land Boundary Map (One Map) No. 4/2023 on December 27, 2023 approved the results of the improvement of the state land boundary map (One Map) in the Tap Lan National Park area. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will assign the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to submit the matter to the National Park Committee for consideration and action according to the Cabinet resolution on March 14, 2023. The government agencies will proceed according to the law and regulations. For the approximately 110,000 rai of fertile forest area to be annexed, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will consider and proceed as appropriate. Tap Lan National Park covers the areas of Pak Thong Chai District, Wang Nam Khiao District, Khong Buri District and Siang Sang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Na Di District, Prachin Buri Province, with an area of ??approximately 1,387,375 rai or 2,235.80 square kilometers. In determining any area as a national park, expanding a national park, or revoking a national park, whether in whole or in part, there must be a hearing of opinions and participation of stakeholders, relevant communities, and the public to be used in considering the implementation in accordance with Section 8, paragraph three of the National Park Act B.E. 2562, to preserve, conserve, protect, and maintain national parks and the biodiversity in the area for balanced and sustainable benefits. If the boundary of Thap Lan National Park is adjusted according to this new boundary, the area of ??Thap Lan National Park will be reduced by approximately 265,000 rai. Although there is a proposal to annex the northern area in Charakhe Hin Subdistrict, Khong Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, by approximately 80,000 rai, it is still not confirmed whether it will be annexed or not because it was found that there are many local people holding land. In addition, it is still in the process of finding a conclusion with the Royal Forest Department because there is a continuous budget for the reforestation project. In addition, most community forests have already been established. In revoking a national park, whether in whole or in part, there must be a hearing of opinions and public participation, according to Section 8, paragraph three of the National Park Act of 2019, to preserve, conserve, protect and maintain national parks and biodiversity in the area to create balanced and sustainable benefits, to be used in considering actions in other areas as well. Mr. Chaiwat said that he did not agree with using the revised survey lines of the year 2543 to improve the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1:4000 (One Map) in t he area of ??Thap Lan National Park because it would reduce the area of ??Thap Lan National Park by 265,000 rai. In terms of people's farming, the National Park Department has surveyed the ownership of the original people's farmland and allowed them to live and farm, which has been done nationwide, covering 4.27 million rai, with no buying or selling. This shows that according to the National Park Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2562, there is already good management. However, if the area is separated and given to other agencies to operate, it is believed that buying and selling will definitely happen. The use of the 2000 survey boundary of Thap Lan National Park as the Thap Lan National Park may affect the natural World Heritage Site that has been registered as a 'World Heritage Site' because the forest area of ??Thap Lan National Park is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, which consists of 5 conservation forest areas: Khao Yai National Park, Thap Lan National Park, P ang Sida National Park, Ta Phraya National Park, and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. This forest plays an important role as a water storage and the headwaters of streams that support the livelihoods of communities in the surrounding region, including the Nakhon Nayok River, Prachin Buri River, Lam Takhong River, Muak Lek River, and Mun River. It is home to a variety of wildlife. Therefore, the use of the boundary of Tap Lan National Park in 2000 may have environmental impacts in the future because it opens up opportunities for land use in the form of construction and agriculture, causing more digging, moving, filling, compacting, and soil erosion in the area. In addition, cutting down trees and destroying vegetation in the area will cause changes in the landscape, causing the soil to lack cover, and may also affect habitats, foraging areas, or wildlife migration routes because human activities have disturbed wildlife around the boundary beyond the control of the area. Mr. Chaiwat reiterated that in the remaini ng 5 days, he would like the public to express their opinions on the website https://portal.dnp.go.th/Content/nationalpark?contentId=37163 so as not to affect both the status of the natural world heritage and the environmental impact. For the steps after hearing opinions on the boundaries of Thap Lan National Park, which will be conducted until July 12, 2024, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will collect opinions, both in favor and disfavor, and submit them to the National Park Committee for consideration. The Department of National Parks will then prepare a map attached to the Royal Decree for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to submit to the Cabinet for consideration and approval of the draft Royal Decree in principle and to the Office of the Council of State for further consideration. Reporters reported that groups of people in the area hoped that the separation of the area from the Tap Lan National Park area would be completed as soon as possible and the n the land reform law would be implemented. Meanwhile, organizations or groups in the field of natural resource and environmental conservation, as well as people who love the forest, wanted the most people to express their disapproval, hoping that it would be enough to motivate the National Park Committee to submit the disapproval results back to the Cabinet to review the resolution on March 14, 2023, regarding the re-designation of the Tap Lan National Park area according to the improvement of the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1: 4000 (One Map), which would avoid losing 265,000 rai of forest area from the Tap Lan National Park.-512. Source: Thai News Agency
5 days left to hear opinions on the boundaries of Thap Lan National Park, “Chaiwat” is concerned about the loss of 260,000 rai of forest.
Bangkok, Only 5 days left until the hearing of opinions on the improvement of the boundary of Tap Lan National Park, as the Cabinet has resolved to use the revised boundary survey line from 2000 of One Map, which the NBTC proposed. "Chaiwat" is concerned that the forests of Tap Lan National Park will be cut down by more than 260,000 rai. Mr. Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, Director of the National Park Office, said that the opening of the public hearing on the improvement of the boundary of Thap Lan National Park has been in operation since June 28 and will end on July 12. There are 2 channels for public hearing and participation of stakeholders, related communities, and the public: the on-site meeting on July 4 and 5 in Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces and the website https://portal.dnp.go.th/Content/nationalpark?contentId=37163. There are only 5 days left for the public to express their opinions on the website. On March 14, 2023, the Cabinet approved the designation of the new Tap Lan National Park area according to the improvement of the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1:4000 (One Map), Tap Lan National Park area (Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachin Buri provinces). The resolution of the working group considering the improvement of the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1:4000 (One Map) under the Subcommittee on the Improvement of the State Land Boundary Map (One Map) No. 4/2023 on December 27, 2023 approved the results of the improvement of the state land boundary map (One Map) in the Tap Lan National Park area. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will assign the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to submit the matter to the National Park Committee for consideration and action according to the Cabinet resolution on March 14, 2023. The government agencies will proceed according to the law and regulations. For the approximately 110,000 rai of fertile forest area to be annexed, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will consider and proceed as appropriate. Tap Lan National Park covers the areas of Pak Thong Chai District, Wang Nam Khiao District, Khong Buri District and Siang Sang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Na Di District, Prachin Buri Province, with an area of ??approximately 1,387,375 rai or 2,235.80 square kilometers. In determining any area as a national park, expanding a national park, or revoking a national park, whether in whole or in part, there must be a hearing of opinions and participation of stakeholders, relevant communities, and the public to be used in considering the implementation in accordance with Section 8, paragraph three of the National Park Act B.E. 2562, to preserve, conserve, protect, and maintain national parks and the biodiversity in the area for balanced and sustainable benefits. If the boundary of Thap Lan National Park is adjusted according to this new boundary, the area of ??Thap Lan National Park will be reduced by approximately 265,000 rai. Although there is a proposal to annex the northern area in Charakhe Hin Subdistrict, Khong Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, by approximately 80,000 rai, it is still not confirmed whether it will be annexed or not because it was found that there are many local people holding land. In addition, it is still in the process of finding a conclusion with the Royal Forest Department because there is a continuous budget for the reforestation project. In addition, most community forests have already been established. In revoking a national park, whether in whole or in part, there must be a hearing of opinions and public participation, according to Section 8, paragraph three of the National Park Act of 2019, to preserve, conserve, protect and maintain national parks and biodiversity in the area to create balanced and sustainable benefits, to be used in considering actions in other areas as well. Mr. Chaiwat said that he did not agree with using the revised survey lines of the year 2543 to improve the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1:4000 (One Map) in t he area of ??Thap Lan National Park because it would reduce the area of ??Thap Lan National Park by 265,000 rai. In terms of people's farming, the National Park Department has surveyed the ownership of the original people's farmland and allowed them to live and farm, which has been done nationwide, covering 4.27 million rai, with no buying or selling. This shows that according to the National Park Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2562, there is already good management. However, if the area is separated and given to other agencies to operate, it is believed that buying and selling will definitely happen. The use of the 2000 survey boundary of Thap Lan National Park as the Thap Lan National Park may affect the natural World Heritage Site that has been registered as a 'World Heritage Site' because the forest area of ??Thap Lan National Park is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, which consists of 5 conservation forest areas: Khao Yai National Park, Thap Lan National Park, P ang Sida National Park, Ta Phraya National Park, and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. This forest plays an important role as a water storage and the headwaters of streams that support the livelihoods of communities in the surrounding region, including the Nakhon Nayok River, Prachin Buri River, Lam Takhong River, Muak Lek River, and Mun River. It is home to a variety of wildlife. Therefore, the use of the boundary of Tap Lan National Park in 2000 may have environmental impacts in the future because it opens up opportunities for land use in the form of construction and agriculture, causing more digging, moving, filling, compacting, and soil erosion in the area. In addition, cutting down trees and destroying vegetation in the area will cause changes in the landscape, causing the soil to lack cover, and may also affect habitats, foraging areas, or wildlife migration routes because human activities have disturbed wildlife around the boundary beyond the control of the area. Mr. Chaiwat reiterated that in the remaini ng 5 days, he would like the public to express their opinions on the website https://portal.dnp.go.th/Content/nationalpark?contentId=37163 so as not to affect both the status of the natural world heritage and the environmental impact. For the steps after hearing opinions on the boundaries of Thap Lan National Park, which will be conducted until July 12, 2024, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will collect opinions, both in favor and disfavor, and submit them to the National Park Committee for consideration. The Department of National Parks will then prepare a map attached to the Royal Decree for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to submit to the Cabinet for consideration and approval of the draft Royal Decree in principle and to the Office of the Council of State for further consideration. Reporters reported that groups of people in the area hoped that the separation of the area from the Tap Lan National Park area would be completed as soon as possible and the n the land reform law would be implemented. Meanwhile, organizations or groups in the field of natural resource and environmental conservation, as well as people who love the forest, wanted the most people to express their disapproval, hoping that it would be enough to motivate the National Park Committee to submit the disapproval results back to the Cabinet to review the resolution on March 14, 2023, regarding the re-designation of the Tap Lan National Park area according to the improvement of the integrated state land boundary map, scale 1: 4000 (One Map), which would avoid losing 265,000 rai of forest area from the Tap Lan National Park.-512. Source: Thai News Agency