Another park road to add coal to the fire
Yet another roadway development is stirring up an environmental controversy.
The Department of Rural Roads wants to build a route through Sri Nakharindh Dam and Erawan national parks in Kanchanaburi. The department has called for construction bids, though it has yet to receive a green light from the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. The new road controversy comes as a Highways Department project through Khao Yai and Tap Lan national parks continues to make waves. It runs through a watershed area. No environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been carried out. The Department of Rural Roads claimed the project would provide a better route for villagers living in the forest. However, Damras Suk-aram, superintendent of Sri Nakharindh Dam National Park, said he was afraid the 40-km road would lead to more forest encroachment. He said about 20,000 rai of forest had already been converted to farmland by residents of seven villages given dispensation to remain in the forest by a March 1998 Cabinet resolution. Damrong Pidetch, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said he had asked that the road project be suspended. Janjira Pongrai The Nation
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