Rain Forest Protection
Setting off, elephants and volunteers prepare to
save the forest |
Conservationists estimate that Thailand's forest
canopy is a mere 15-20% of the country's total land area. 12.5% of
the country is claimed by national parks. The Thai government
imposed a total national ban on logging when mud slides claimed the
lives of 350 people in a southern Thai village in the November 1988.
It was only then recognised that the wholesale denudation of
these crucial resources was putting at risk the very lives of the
rural population |
Evening light reflects on a saved tree. |
With the rapid depletion of the Northern
area's forests something had to be done to stem this wholesale
destruction. Lek decided to enlist the powers of local religion and
superstition.
Trees are adorned with Buddhist cloth. This prevents locals from
cutting them down as this is thought to bring extremely bad luck and is a
religious taboo. Each strip of saffron cloth represents the soul of a
person. To cut down the tree would insult this spirit and cause sever
offence and extreme retributions.
Plans are afoot to plant some 100 rai (1600 square metres x 100) per year for, at
least, the next five years. Types of trees will include hard woods, such at teak, rosewood
and other indigenous species. We will soon be in a position to completely re-green the
whole area. Some of the species will reach maturity within a very short period of time
whilst other hard woods will be growing for centuries. A gift to the future
strollers. Visitors, present and future will witness the rebirth
and renewal of a natural wonder.
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Visitors to the Park are encouraged to plant a tree in the surrounding area. This
most welcome and beneficial contribution will leave the visitor with a sense of well
being. |
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Lek explains the medicinal relevance of local
plants to conservation visitors. |
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