PCD claims success in restricting haze in northern provinces

PCD claims success in restricting haze in northern provinces

Officials control wildfire in the northern province of Lampang late February. (Photo by Assawing Wongnorkaew)
Officials control wildfire in the northern province of Lampang late February. (Photo by Assawing Wongnorkaew)

Air pollution has improved on previous years in nine northern provinces thanks to authorities strictly controlling slash-and-burn farming practices, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).

Sunee Piyapanpong, head of the Department of Pollution Control, Friday claimed success in reducing pollution, saying strict measures had seen a 40% drop in slash-and-burn incidents so far this year.

Only 3,042 hotspots have been detected since the burning season kicked off in February this year, she said.

Cooperation between local agencies and especially from locals played an important part in reducing the number of hotspots, she added.

However, the PCD did not reveal how many hotspots were recorded last year.

Ms Sunee was providing an update on haze pollution in the North 60 days after the start of an anti-burning campaign in nine northern provinces, and claimed air pollution in the North had improved when compared with last year.

The provinces were Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Nan, Phayao and Tak.

Ms Sunee said the province with the fewest hotspots was Chiang Rai, with only five, and that the haze situation is expected to improve by the end of this month as a result expected thunderstorms and rain in the coming weeks.

The PCD recorded the highest particle levels of 233 microgrammes per cubic metre in Mae Mo district of Lampang province, compared with 237 microgrammes per cubic metre at the same location last year.

The number of days with excessive amounts of particles also fell to 27 days from 38 last year, the department.

Chiang Rai and Phayao, in particular, were able to keep particle levels under its safety standard for PM10 at 120 microgrammes per cubic metre during the no-burning period set up by each province.

Lampang and Tak were the first provinces to announce a no-burning policy between Feb 10 and April 10.

Mae Hong Son was the last province, announcing a ban during March 1-April 30.

Chiang Rai imposed a ban during Feb 12-April 12, while nearby Phayao ordered a halt during Feb 16-April 16.

Ms Sunee said violators faced both a maximum of 1,000 -baht fine and one month in jail.

Haze pollution in the nine northern provinces has been a major threat to people's health for several years.

The Ministry of Public Health had linked a significant increase in people suffering from skin irritation, respiratory problems, heart disease and eye irritation as a result of increasing amounts of haze in the region.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department Friday issued an alert, warning of summer thunderstorms from tomorrow through next Wednesday.

They were expected to hit the Northeast and East tomorrow, and affect other parts of the country in coming days, including Bangkok.

Wichien Chandaranothai, Nakhon Ratchasima governor, Friday ordered officials to assess damage to dozens of properties in the province hit by a thunderstorm on Thursday.

No estimate was to hand as to the likely extent of the damage.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (18)