downtoearth-subscribe

THAILAND

A demand to revoke four forestry-related laws of Thailand has been made by various grassroots groups. The groups believe that these laws do not give recognition to community rights in natural resource management. They declared the Forestry Act of 1941, National Park Act of 1960, Forest Reserves Act of 1964 and Wildlife Protection Act of 1992 as unconstitutional. At least 700 representatives of grassroots organisations, located in 25 river basins, have jointly drawn up a people's agenda for water, land and forest management. The agenda has been forwarded to senate committees on agriculture and environment. The organisations are hoping to muster up support from all political parties. The agenda expressed the need to evolve a community forest law. It also calls for withdrawal of a 1998 cabinet resolution. The resolution makes the use of aerial photos compulsory to prove land ownership.

Related Content