Environment Day marked by activities

Environmental activists and people in Nakhon Ratchasima, led by Pongthep Kradon-chamnan, a well-known songs-for-life singer and chairman of the foundation for the protection of Khao Yai National Park, held a mock ordination of trees along Thanarat Road to protect them from being cut down. They also planted saplings.

The group opposes the widening of the road through the park.

Work has already started along the first 10 kilometres of the road, with 128 big trees chopped down to make way for the extra lanes.

Around 70 per cent of |people face environmental problems, according to a survey on environmental and global warming problems conducted in every region by the National Statistical Office.

Some 72 per cent of respondents said they suffered from drought, followed by 25 per cent who said they were victims of floods and 22 per cent who said they endure air pollution.

About 60 per cent want the government to urgently solve the drought, while nearly 9 per cent wanted air pollution woes resolved and a similar number wanted flooding controlled.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Central Group led a campaign to plant 250,000 trees in areas damaged by the red-shirt protest.

The BMA also launched a pilot project to reduce the use of plastic bags.

A Bt1 discount will be offered to customers at the Chatuchak Weekend Market who pay Bt100 or more and refuse to take a plastic bag from vendors.

Every Central store also sponsors a "No Bag, No Baht" activity encouraging customers not to use plastic bags.

In Uttaradit, people planted 500,000 shoots of Vetiver grass to prevent soil erosion.

In Chiang Mai, locals planted 100,000 shoots around the city.

It was also a big cleaning day, with volunteers washing down Rajdamnoen Road and ancient sites along the way.

In Phuket, residents observed World Environment Day with the theme of "Many Species One Planet One Future". They participated in a bicycle rally, planted 43,000 trees and collected garbage.