PUBLISHED: 06:15 on November 7, 2023.
A strategy to construct seven rivers in Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri has been opposed by conservationists, who claim that the project will destroy 16, 000 ray of property in the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai wood region.
Seub Nakhasathien Foundation secretary general Ornyupa Sangkaman expressed grave concern that some forest trees would get lost if the bridge projects were to move forward.
The region that encompasses Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri is home to numerous federal gardens, including Khao Yai, Thap Lan, Ta Phraya, and Pang Sida National Parks, as well as the Dong Yay Wildlife Sanctuary, which was inscribed as a national identity site in 2005.
Ms. Ornyupa questioned whether it is possible to rely on the government to properly manage water resources and address challenging environmental concerns in an environmentally responsible way.
The Sarika Tambon Administrative Organization ( TAO ) member and Ban Khlong Maduea community leader Sophanat Kingpha claimed that the consulting firm always photographs villagers who are opposed to the project while giving the impression that they are in favor of it during meetings for the environment impact assessment( EIA ) with the Royal Irrigation Department.
Mr. Sophanat claimed that some data from the EIA report was exaggerated, such as the assertion that 75 % of locals supported a dam in Klong Maduea while only 5 % opposed it.
However, he added that those from other areas unaffected by the planned bridge building were also included in the survey’s total number of respondents. He claimed that among those who voted for the job stood to gain from it.
It’s unfair to us. We run the risk of losing our possessions, houses, farm, and trees, he said.
He claimed that when people complained to the National Human Rights Commission, they were asked to submit a ton of supporting documentation.
According to Mr. Sophanat, the threatened forest contains protected trees, including the beautiful jasmine tree.
The fact that the Klong Maduea stream is dry all year long is crucial. Where will the 80-meter-tall crest dam get the water it needs to push out salt water [ intrusion ] to fill it all year long? He remarked.
” I don’t believe the job will be worthwhile within the budget.”
Ratana Srivorakul from the Prachinburi Organic Farming Network, Chandranon Chayaninsivakul, and Kan Tattiyakul, coordinators of the Bang Pakong River and Thap Lan Friends Group, are also against the dam jobs.
They claimed that a potential climate catastrophe may be avoided in order to supply water to factories.