Thap Lan National Park faces a significant threat as plans to allocate 265,286 rai of its forested land for an agricultural reform project loom large. Director Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn of the National Park Office has voiced apprehensions regarding this proposal, highlighting its potential adverse impact on the park’s ecological integrity.
Covering an expansive area of approximately 1.4 million rai across districts in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachin Buri, Thap Lan National Park holds special significance as part of Thailand’s Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The controversy stems from a cabinet decision in March last year, empowering the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to reassign protected areas within Thap Lan for Sor Por Kor land plots. This move aims to resolve longstanding land disputes between local communities and the national park, utilizing the government’s One Map project to establish definitive boundaries.
Director Chaiwat cautioned against the potential ramifications of altering Thap Lan’s boundaries, emphasizing that such measures could result in the loss of crucial forest reserves to the Office of Agricultural Land Reform (OALR). He underscored that while the initiative allows farmers eventual ownership after five years, it might not provide a sustainable resolution to the underlying land dispute issues.
Originally designated as a national park in 1981, Thap Lan has since been embroiled in land conflict, exacerbated by subsequent surveys and mapping exercises. The contested area, initially around 58,882 rai, has ballooned to over 260,000 rai following recent mapping updates, particularly affecting regions in Soeng Sang and Wang Nam Khieo districts, renowned for their natural beauty and tourism appeal.
The implications of this decision extend beyond Thap Lan, with Director Chaiwat cautioning that conceding forest land could set a precedent for similar demands in other protected areas across the country. This, he believes, contradicts Thailand’s long-term environmental goals, including the commitment to maintain 40% of the nation’s land as natural forest under the 20-year national strategy.
To gauge public sentiment and opposition, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has launched an online poll, accessible through Thap Lan National Park’s official Facebook page. The poll, open until July 12, invites stakeholders to express their views on the proposed boundary adjustments. Additionally, public hearings are scheduled in Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, and Sa Kaeo, providing further opportunities for community input.
Ultimately, the results of these consultations will be forwarded to the national committee overseeing Thap Lan National Park, influencing the decision-making process concerning its future boundaries and the protection of its invaluable natural resources.
