Last week, there was good and bad news about the environment. I learnt a lot about environmental protection measures during my June 6-7 visit to Japan's Yakushima Island, of which 20% of the total area is registered as a World Natural Heritage Site by Unesco. Later on June 9, I was happy to hear that various groups of people planted trees on some parts of deforested land in Nan and many other Thais planted trees elsewhere and also at home.
Yet, the rest was terrible news for nature lovers. At least two news agencies reported that the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest may be registered as an endangered World Heritage site by Unesco next month due to the poaching of Siamese rosewood, or mai phayoong. In response, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to ask the government to propose joint Thai-Cambodian forest patrol operations to combat illegal logging.
More bad news was the disappearance of 78 near-endangered Madagascan tortoises, including six Angonoka tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora) and 72 Radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata), from the Bang Phra wildlife breeding centre in Chon Buri. The Madagascan tortoises are a protected species under Cites (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and had been seized in prior smuggling cases.
Worst still was a five-day mission to relocate 137 tigers from the Tiger Temple or Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua Yannasampanno in Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi, which led to the discovery of 40 tiger cub carcases, six hornbills, 27 sheets of processed wood, two tiger pelts, hundreds of talismans made from tiger parts, a stuffed tiger buffalo, a stuffed Asian golden cat and a stuffed leopard. This suggests this temple might be linked to the illegal animal trade.
Over the past half year, I have read and watched news about increasing threats against forests and wildlife in Thailand day after day. Social networks have become forums for some groups of people to sell and buy protected wildlife, let alone the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Almost every day, the rare and expensive Siamese rosewood trees are found illegally cut and smuggled by log poachers.
In April, the "Reclaiming Thai Land" Facebook page posted pictures of a forest in Nan province being burnt. These images mirror the aggravating deforestation problem, especially that caused by "cash crops" plantations in Thailand. Instead of feeling sorry, provincial authorities replied it meant the province has 500,000 rai of land for people to plant trees.
Also in Nan, the three-month effort of many people to stop the destruction of a tree tunnel to expand the road from Nan to Chaloem Phra Kiat (Highway 1080) failed this month since authorities insisted on felling the trees and improving the road.
According to an article by the Rainforest Conservation Fund on its official website, deforestation has been driven also by population growth, the expansion of agricultural land, land speculation, illegal logging, political intrigue and infighting and the debt problems for many farmers. Almost a fifth of Thailand's population was occupying forest reserve land (5.3 million hectares) by 1988. In 1950, 70% of Thailand was still covered by rainforest, but by 1988 the cover had been reduced to 15% by unrestrained logging. Even as late as 1988 teak generated US$20 million (705 million baht) in revenue despite a ban of teak wood exports since 1973. By 1985, demand for wood and wood products was more than five times the sustainable level. The massive flooding in November 1988 prompted the government to ban logging on Jan 14, 1989, by revoking all logging concessions. However, this tripled the price of timber in Bangkok and unleashed orgies of illegal logging.
Amid all the bad news, I learned a lot from my visit to the Unesco World Natural Heritage Site on the 504km² Yakushima Island. Despite being denied the access to observe loggerhead turtles hatching eggs on a beach there at night, I admired Japanese authorities for being very strict with issuing permits in order to protect the marine life and environment. The season for loggerhead turtles to lay and hatch eggs on that beach was only around June and July.
While travelling on a route past the forest on that island, I often spotted many monkeys and deer on both sides. These animals were strolling or sitting alone or in group calmly, reflecting no human threats against them. Later when I saw a sign showing a request for visitors to not damage or take any plants or wildlife, not take animals or pets (certified guide or helper dogs are excluded) and not feed the wildlife, I understood why. I was also glad to know the officials encourage visitors to keep the mountains clean by carrying trash out of the forest, but dump disposable toilet paper in provided baskets instead of flushing it unlike the common practice in Japan.
In addition, I think Thai authorities can learn good lessons from the Yakushima World Heritage Area Management Plan. Among the measures are: to strictly restrict the cutting of trees or bamboo, building construction and altering landscape to minimise the impact on the habitat and breeding grounds of animals and plants in the heritage area; to implement appropriate nature watching and education methods; to strictly restrict the collection of plants and capture of animals; to promote research and monitoring of the animals and plants that inhabit the heritage area; and to prevent hikers or climbers from leaving trails to alleviate negative impacts; and to prevent erosion through measures, such as to replant and restore the affected areas. In all, Thais can learn precious lessons from efficiently protected world heritage sites abroad.
Pichaya Svasti is a travel writer of the Life section of the Bangkok Post.