ENVIRONMENT
CHAIWAT SATYAEM
PHETCHABURI : Residents in Kaeng Krachan district have protested against a move by the government to approve a new mining project near Kaeng Krachan forest, which will be proposed as a World Heritage site next month. Provincial officials are preparing to issue a mining permit to a company which wants to dig for dolomite deposits on 600 rai of land near the Kaeng Krachan national park, according to a Phetchaburi natural resource and environment conservation group.
The mineral, which contains magnesium, is used for soil adjustment in farming or in drug production.
A source in the conservation group claimed the mining company had colluded with officials not to tell villagers of the plan.
Phetchaburi senator Sumon Sutwiriyawat, the group's chairman, also alleged the company had persuaded some villagers to fell trees in the area where the mining was planned.
He claimed the company planned to turn the area into degraded forest, which could be used as a reason to back up its request to mine the site.
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| Tourists marvel at the view from the top of a mountain in Kaeng Krachan national park in Phetchaburi. The park is part of 1.8 million rai of tropical forest complex to be nominated as a World Heritage site. — CHAIWAT SATYAEM |
Sompan Sali, a member of the Song Pi Nong tambon administration organisation, said villagers in the area were unhappy with the project, which they say is being undertaken without public consultation.
They have sent a letter of complaint to the Phetchaburi governor.
''I'll never easily approve the project,'' said governor Sayumphon Limthai, citing concerns over the environmental impact on the forest complex.
The pristine tropical forest, which covers the Kaeng Krachan national park and a wildlife sanctuary in Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, has been declared a heritage site for Southeast Asia.
The government wants to have it listed as a World Heritage site by the World Heritage Committee.
A committee will meet to discuss the matter in Quebec, Canada, from July 2-10.
Samat Muangmaitong, the former head of Kaeng Krachan national park, said although officials have supported the mining operation, the move is not considered final.
He said the project had to go through public hearings and be approved by environment officials and that the government could not simply approve the proposal without it going through those steps first.
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