Province asks govt to return forestry land to the public

Province asks govt to return forestry land to the public

Provincial authorities want the government to change the status of forest reserves to state land to address long-overdue problems of illegal encroachment, a source has told the Bangkok Post.

Phetchabun has been struggling to address the wrongful use of forest reserve land for several years. One of the biggest controversies concerns is Phu Thap Boek, where land plots were originally reserved for the resettlement of the Hmong hilltribe people. Some, however, started leasing their land to outsiders, who built private resorts on it. It is hoped the latest proposal, which is being considered by provincial governor Suebsak Eiam-vicharn, will both reclaim the land plots and benefit the local economy at the same time.

By turning the encroached forest land into "Ratchaphatsadu land", or state land under the supervision of the Finance Ministry's Treasury Department, the land still belongs to the state and can be used for commercial development. "Please do not portray this as us selling forest land to the commercial sector," said provincial governor Suebsak. "We are just trying to solve the problem by keeping public land in state ownership, yet also benefiting the economy." He has also asked resort operators to lobby the government for its support.

The governor has ordered a provincial land policy panel to gather evidence about Khao Kho-Phu Thap Boek-Nam Nao's land encroachment problems to help win backing for the proposal when it is raised with Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (1)