The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has scrapped its plan to evict temples encroaching on protected forests.
Minister Suwit Khunkitti yesterday told about 100 monks at a seminar on conservation their monasteries would not be removed from protected areas if the monks provided authorities with help to protect forest lands.
Earlier this month, the Forestry Department, which comes under Mr Suwit's supervision, announced it would begin closing temples which encroach on protected forests.
The policy is in line with the 1995 cabinet resolution instructing the department to remove monks living illegally in national parks, watershed areas and wildlife sanctuaries.
The department said there were 5,529 forest temples occupying 190,000 rai of forest land, most of them in reserves.Sixty-eight temples were initially earmarked for closure.
The eviction plans drew fierce opposition from monks across the country.
"We won't push [the monks] out of the forest, even if the temples were built before or after the declaration of protected forests," Mr Suwit said.
"Monks are the key players in forest protection."
The minister said forestry officials would work with temples to develop a better understanding of how to live in harmony in ecologically fragile areas.
But the ministry would introduce measures to prevent the establishment of new temples in forested areas, Mr Suwit said.
Yongyuth Chamnanrop, chief of Phupayol national park in the northeastern province ofMukdahan,applauded the new position.
"At the ground level, strict law enforcement is sometimes not the right answer," he said."We need compromise."
Phupayol national park recently filed charges against Phu Mai How forest monastery for forest encroachment and destroying a cave in the park.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Court to look into details of 76 industrial developments
The Central Administrative Court has ordered eight agencies to provide it with details of 76 industrial projects planned for development in Rayong's Map Ta Phut area.
The Stop Global Warming Association and 42pollution-affected villagers sought a court injunction to suspend the projects and their approved environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies.
The plaintiffs accused the National Environment Board and seven other agencies of not following the constitution's Article 67, which states a project seen as harmful to the environment and people's health must undergo public hearings before it could be endorsed.
The court refused to issue an injunction or conduct an emergency hearing of the case, but ordered the plaintiffs and the eight defendants to submit details of the 76 projects within 15 days.
Stop Global Warming Association president Srisuwan Janya said the court required the plaintiffs to show how the 76 industrial plants would harm local people's health and the environment.
The court also told the defendants to report on the construction process and potential impact of the projects,Mr Srisuwan said.
The Stop Global Warming Association and the villagers lodged a court complaint in June.
The case is pending trial.On Tuesday, the cabinet agreed to a Joint State-Private Committee resolution to allow agencies to proceed with issuing permits for industrial projects after it engaged in close legal consultations with the Council of State.
The cabinet resolution spurred the plaintiffs into seeking a court injunction to stop the issuing of permits,Mr Srisuwan said.
Sutthi Atchasai, a leader of the Eastern People's Network, which spearheads local people's fight against pollution in Rayong, said the villagers would hold a mass gathering at Map Ta Phut industrial estate on Sept 9 to pressure the government to follow Article 67 of the constitution.
The article requires the government to arrange for an independent environmental agency to give advice on implementation of projects that could be harmful to people's health and the environment.
Activists also urged the government to draw up a list of activities that are considered dangerous to people's health and the environment.
"It is going to be a very long protest which may have an impact on industrial activity if we don't get a clear answer from the government on how it translates Article 67 into action,"Mr Sutthi said.
Meanwhile, Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang yesterday shrugged off the court order, saying the ministry had followed health and environmental protection regulations when dealing with industrial development.
He said the ministry was working on a list of projects with a critical impact on health and the environment under Article 67.
The list would be submitted for cabinet consideration.
The Stop Global Warming Association and 42pollution-affected villagers sought a court injunction to suspend the projects and their approved environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies.
The plaintiffs accused the National Environment Board and seven other agencies of not following the constitution's Article 67, which states a project seen as harmful to the environment and people's health must undergo public hearings before it could be endorsed.
The court refused to issue an injunction or conduct an emergency hearing of the case, but ordered the plaintiffs and the eight defendants to submit details of the 76 projects within 15 days.
Stop Global Warming Association president Srisuwan Janya said the court required the plaintiffs to show how the 76 industrial plants would harm local people's health and the environment.
The court also told the defendants to report on the construction process and potential impact of the projects,Mr Srisuwan said.
The Stop Global Warming Association and the villagers lodged a court complaint in June.
The case is pending trial.On Tuesday, the cabinet agreed to a Joint State-Private Committee resolution to allow agencies to proceed with issuing permits for industrial projects after it engaged in close legal consultations with the Council of State.
The cabinet resolution spurred the plaintiffs into seeking a court injunction to stop the issuing of permits,Mr Srisuwan said.
Sutthi Atchasai, a leader of the Eastern People's Network, which spearheads local people's fight against pollution in Rayong, said the villagers would hold a mass gathering at Map Ta Phut industrial estate on Sept 9 to pressure the government to follow Article 67 of the constitution.
The article requires the government to arrange for an independent environmental agency to give advice on implementation of projects that could be harmful to people's health and the environment.
Activists also urged the government to draw up a list of activities that are considered dangerous to people's health and the environment.
"It is going to be a very long protest which may have an impact on industrial activity if we don't get a clear answer from the government on how it translates Article 67 into action,"Mr Sutthi said.
Meanwhile, Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang yesterday shrugged off the court order, saying the ministry had followed health and environmental protection regulations when dealing with industrial development.
He said the ministry was working on a list of projects with a critical impact on health and the environment under Article 67.
The list would be submitted for cabinet consideration.
List of harmful industries due next week
A list of harmful industries will take effect next week as authorities hope to allay investors' concerns about requirements for environmental and health impact assessments, Industry Minister Chanchai Chairungruang said yesterday.
He said that while guidelines on environmental and health assessments for harmful projects were not yet finalised,those not on the list could follow existing environmental impact assessment procedures and proceed their projects.
"Once we put it up as ministerial announcement, we want investment to resume as fast as possible," he said.
Eight industries will likely be listed as harmful and will need extra environmental and community scrutiny.
The list includes all underground mining, all sizes of tin and manganese mines,steel smelting plants with at least 5,000 tonnes of daily capacity, and petrochemical plants with 1,000 tonnes of daily output.
The rules will also apply to industrial estates with steel or upstream or midstream petrochemical plants, all landfills or incinerators for hazardous waste, mineral smelting with chemicals, fossil-fuel power plants of 100 megawatts or more,natural gas or other energy sources of 500 MW and nuclear power plants.
He said that while guidelines on environmental and health assessments for harmful projects were not yet finalised,those not on the list could follow existing environmental impact assessment procedures and proceed their projects.
"Once we put it up as ministerial announcement, we want investment to resume as fast as possible," he said.
Eight industries will likely be listed as harmful and will need extra environmental and community scrutiny.
The list includes all underground mining, all sizes of tin and manganese mines,steel smelting plants with at least 5,000 tonnes of daily capacity, and petrochemical plants with 1,000 tonnes of daily output.
The rules will also apply to industrial estates with steel or upstream or midstream petrochemical plants, all landfills or incinerators for hazardous waste, mineral smelting with chemicals, fossil-fuel power plants of 100 megawatts or more,natural gas or other energy sources of 500 MW and nuclear power plants.
ALLIANCE WANTS HALT TO MAP TA PHUT PROJECTS
The Anti-Global Warming Association and 43 Map Ta Phut villagers yesterday petitioned the Administrative Court to freeze all petrochemical projects planned for the industrial zone.
They also asked the court to reverse the Cabinet's resolution on Tuesday that allowed the issue of operating licences to some petrochemical projects.
The opponents said the licensing did not abide by Article 67 of the Constitution.
Association president Srisuwan Chanya said the projects would cause trouble for the public and environment.
Under the Constitution, all of the projects must conduct both an environmental-impact assessment and a health-impact assessment along with a public hearing. An opinion from an independent environmental body is also required.
Villager Suthi Atchasai said if the petition received no satisfactory results, then on September 9 the Network of Eastern People would gather at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.
"We don't want to block investment but want to ensure that all investment is in line with the Constitution. We may block the port and the industrial estate, as well as the sites for the new plants, in order to send a message to all that pollution problems are not yet addressed," he said.
Recently, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) awarded long-awaited operating licences to four industrial projects worth Bt17.55 billion, including one each to the PTT Group and the Siam Cement Group.
Besides the four approved projects, 19 worth Bt305.45 billion are awaiting IEAT approval and 13 worth Bt59 billion are pending approval from the Industrial Works Department.
They also asked the court to reverse the Cabinet's resolution on Tuesday that allowed the issue of operating licences to some petrochemical projects.
The opponents said the licensing did not abide by Article 67 of the Constitution.
Association president Srisuwan Chanya said the projects would cause trouble for the public and environment.
Under the Constitution, all of the projects must conduct both an environmental-impact assessment and a health-impact assessment along with a public hearing. An opinion from an independent environmental body is also required.
Villager Suthi Atchasai said if the petition received no satisfactory results, then on September 9 the Network of Eastern People would gather at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.
"We don't want to block investment but want to ensure that all investment is in line with the Constitution. We may block the port and the industrial estate, as well as the sites for the new plants, in order to send a message to all that pollution problems are not yet addressed," he said.
Recently, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) awarded long-awaited operating licences to four industrial projects worth Bt17.55 billion, including one each to the PTT Group and the Siam Cement Group.
Besides the four approved projects, 19 worth Bt305.45 billion are awaiting IEAT approval and 13 worth Bt59 billion are pending approval from the Industrial Works Department.
FOREST MONKS, MONASTERIES NOT TO BE REMOVED
The Natural-Resources and Environment Ministry yesterday backed down from its tough stance against Buddhist monasteries located in forest reserves - saying it would not evict 68 of them built after a leniency deadline 14 years ago. In a meeting with the Supreme Sangha Council, the ministry suggested a new idea: to have each of the 5,529 monasteries in forest reserves carry out conservation projects and sell tree seedlings to temple visitors.
Blanket approval was also given to monks who perform meditation treks in forests across the country. They need only to inform forest rangers about their paths in case they get lost or require emergency help.
Minister Suwit Khunkitti said he had come to realise monks could encourage villagers not to encroach on forests and boost their awareness about deforestation hazards even better than forestry officials and forest rangers.
The meeting proposed a new project: to build a Buddhist mega-site in a 10,000-rai area for Buddhist pilgrims worldwide to come to Thailand. No other details about this ambitious project were provided.
A number of abandoned monasteries may be used as forest ranger stations, but the meeting did not decide whether new monasteries should be allowed in forest reserves.
The Royal Forest Department welcomed Suwit's decision, saying that allowing monks to live in the forest was no different from allowing villagers to do so under special permission granted 11 years ago.
The ministry will conduct an aerial survey of all monasteries in Thailand and make a reference map for long-term use.
Blanket approval was also given to monks who perform meditation treks in forests across the country. They need only to inform forest rangers about their paths in case they get lost or require emergency help.
Minister Suwit Khunkitti said he had come to realise monks could encourage villagers not to encroach on forests and boost their awareness about deforestation hazards even better than forestry officials and forest rangers.
The meeting proposed a new project: to build a Buddhist mega-site in a 10,000-rai area for Buddhist pilgrims worldwide to come to Thailand. No other details about this ambitious project were provided.
A number of abandoned monasteries may be used as forest ranger stations, but the meeting did not decide whether new monasteries should be allowed in forest reserves.
The Royal Forest Department welcomed Suwit's decision, saying that allowing monks to live in the forest was no different from allowing villagers to do so under special permission granted 11 years ago.
The ministry will conduct an aerial survey of all monasteries in Thailand and make a reference map for long-term use.
PROTEST PLANNED AFTER COURT REJECTS COMPLAINTS
Map Ta Phut residents yesterday faced double blows in their efforts against expansion of an industrial estate in Rayong province - a request to temporarily delay the construction of 76 new factories was turned down, and a lawsuit accusing high-ranking officials of negligence in enforcing protective measures in the estate dismissed.
The Central Administrative Court's decision to turn down the first request has prompted protest leaders to threaten a mass rally on September 9 to blockade the Map Ta Phut estate and seaports connected to it.
Sutthi Atchasai said Rayong people did not want to hamper the massive investment in their home district but would like to see pollution-control conditions relating to the project were followed under constitutional requirements. "We are contemplating blockading the seaports and the estate, including the sites of the 76 new factories to be constructed soon," he added.
Sutthi led 42 villagers to submit a petition to the court yesterday morning asking it to issue an injunction to temporarily order a halt to the coming construction of the 76 factories in an expansion phase of the estate until new environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies were conducted.
The judges later ruled the court could not halt the construction but would wait for more information from authorities.
A companion petition was also lodged with the court accusing eight people - five Cabinet ministers and heads of three regulatory bodies overseeing pollution-control measures - of negligence that resulted in the construction of the 76 factories going ahead without new EIA studies.
The second petition also requested that the eight issue more pollution-control regulations and that three of the five ministers - overseeing Industry, Energy, and Transport Ministries - revoke licences already granted to construction projects outside the estate that would soon begin without EIA or other conditions being followed.
Srisuwan Janya, a lawyer allied with the villagers' group, who also represented two non-governmental organisations advocating environment protection and against global warming, said the eight violated laws by approving the construction without a public referendum and without giving mandatory approval for the setup of an independent body to study the projects.
The judges ruled in the afternoon that, in the first petition, the villagers failed to provide information on when exactly the construction would begin and end; and in the second petition, the court would wait for the eight to submit their case to the court.
The Central Administrative Court's decision to turn down the first request has prompted protest leaders to threaten a mass rally on September 9 to blockade the Map Ta Phut estate and seaports connected to it.
Sutthi Atchasai said Rayong people did not want to hamper the massive investment in their home district but would like to see pollution-control conditions relating to the project were followed under constitutional requirements. "We are contemplating blockading the seaports and the estate, including the sites of the 76 new factories to be constructed soon," he added.
Sutthi led 42 villagers to submit a petition to the court yesterday morning asking it to issue an injunction to temporarily order a halt to the coming construction of the 76 factories in an expansion phase of the estate until new environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies were conducted.
The judges later ruled the court could not halt the construction but would wait for more information from authorities.
A companion petition was also lodged with the court accusing eight people - five Cabinet ministers and heads of three regulatory bodies overseeing pollution-control measures - of negligence that resulted in the construction of the 76 factories going ahead without new EIA studies.
The second petition also requested that the eight issue more pollution-control regulations and that three of the five ministers - overseeing Industry, Energy, and Transport Ministries - revoke licences already granted to construction projects outside the estate that would soon begin without EIA or other conditions being followed.
Srisuwan Janya, a lawyer allied with the villagers' group, who also represented two non-governmental organisations advocating environment protection and against global warming, said the eight violated laws by approving the construction without a public referendum and without giving mandatory approval for the setup of an independent body to study the projects.
The judges ruled in the afternoon that, in the first petition, the villagers failed to provide information on when exactly the construction would begin and end; and in the second petition, the court would wait for the eight to submit their case to the court.
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