Conservation 'must be park focus' Ecologists yesterday urged the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) to focus more on wildlife protection than tourism promotion at Khao Yai National Park to ensure the new World Heritage site is well protected. ''In the past, the department has only emphasised improving tourist services at the park, leading to weak patrol missions and research,'' said biologist Sompote Srikosamat, of Mahidol University's faculty of sciences.''It's time to invoke changes. If the department wants to maintain World Heritage site status, it has to change the way the national park is managed,'' he said. The Unesco World Heritage Committee on Thursday designated eight new natural World Heritage sites, including Thailand's Khao Yai forest complex. The approval was based on World Conservation Union (IUCN) technical evaluation reports. In making its recommendation, the IUCN describes the rugged, mountainous Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex in the northeast as home to more than 800 fauna species, with 112 types of mammals (including two species of gibbon), 392 birds and 200 reptiles and amphibians. Khao Yai forest complex has become Thailand's second natural World Heritage site after Thungyai-Huay Kha Kaeng forest complex in the western region. Mr Sompote said the designation was a result of tireless efforts of environmental groups, naturalists, wildlife researchers, the DNP, who have been preserving and promoting this prestigious forest complex to the world. Rataya Chantien, president of Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, said the forest complex was likely to be better protected with the prestigious designation. ''From now on, Thailand will have experts and naturalists from all over the world to help us look after this pristine rainforest complex. Any activities that would negatively affect Khao Yai, such as construction of tourism facilities, would face strong global opposition,'' she said. DNP deputy chief Schwann Tunhikorn said the department planned to draft a new master plan for Khao Yai forest complex management to ensure that the new natural World Heritage is well-protected. However, tourism promotion would feature prominently in the plan, he said. ''Natural World Heritage site is not a sacred place. Tourists are allowed to visit and explore the forest to feel the beauty of nature,'' Mr Schwann said. He added that strong protection of Thungyai-Huay Kha Kaeng wildlife sanctuary after the forest complex was designated as the country's first natural World Heritage site in 1991 had discouraged Thai people from visiting the forest. Bangkok Post 16 July 2005 www.bangkokpost.com |