Bangkok, The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to expedite the problem of wild elephants leaving protected forest areas. Most recently, he approved hiring an additional 80 elephant pushers from Thap Lan National Park, along with emphasizing the working group to drive forward solving wild elephant problems, integrating cooperation to solve problems that arise between wild elephants and communities. along with the conservation of wild elephants
Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, revealed that Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has urged the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to expedite the solution to the problem of wild elephants being removed. outside the protected forest area because it was found The problem of elephants leaving the forest tends
to increase, which is the main factor causing clashes between people and wild elephants. Especially coming out to destroy the agricultural crops of the people who live close to the edge of the protected forest area. Currently, clashes between people and wild elephants occur in more than 49 protected areas across the country and are likely to become more severe in the future.
In the past, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has had policies regarding solving wild elephant problems and area management. For the conservation of wild elephants as well as reducing conflicts between people and wild elephants. which consists of Preventing and monitoring wild elephants leaving the area, such as organizing rapid movement units to push elephants back into the forest. Creation of wild elephant ditches building an electric fence Planting plants for natural fences Research on various factors To provide relief to the people affected by wild elephants destroying agricultural crops. and public r
elations to create a network for the conservation of wild elephants.
In addition, in the past, the National Park Finance Committee has approved the use of national park funds. For the fiscal year 2024, support increasing the hiring of a team of officers to monitor wild elephants outside the area and at risk points where wild elephants are leaving the protected forest, which is having an impact on people around the protected area as well.
Mr. Sonthirat Sonthijirawong, Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources Chaired a meeting of the working group driving the resolution of wild elephant problems to integrate cooperation and support conservation, management, and resolution of problems between wild elephants and people or communities affected by wild elephants. to produce concrete results Promote conservation and management of wild elephants through sustainable participation.
In this meeting, a draft order of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was reported on the working group to drive solut
ions to the problem of wild elephants. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Current situation of wild elephants by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Elephant Conservation and Management Committee. and the National Action Plan for Solving the Wild Elephant Problem 2024 – 2028 and the project requesting support for budget expenditures in the central budget, reserve money for emergencies or necessary for solving the wild elephant problem, 1 project, 5 activities, consisting of
Increase the efficiency of the surveillance unit and drive wild elephants.
Help provide relief to the people affected by wild elephants. In the case of property damage Agricultural crops
Increase efficiency in controlling the situation with surveillance vehicles and moving wild elephants.
Establishment of a wild elephant behavior adjustment center
Publicize and create awareness among the community and the public. In addition, at the meeting also jointly considered The urgency of resolving the
suffering of the community According to the proposals of the community and agencies in Tha Takiab District Chachoengsao Province
Most recently, the Director-General of the National Parks Department Has approved the hiring of an additional 80 people to monitor wild elephants in Thap Lan National Park.
Source: Thai News Agency