Forest encroached in Yala

A file photo of forest encroachment. (Bangkok Post file photo)

YALA: Three forest areas on the Bueyo mountain in Muang district of this southern province have been encroached upon -- but the encroachers and their equipment have not yet been found, said an official of a special working team of the Region 4 Internal Security Operations Command's forward headquarters.

Pol Capt Aroon Kulkalaya said the team, acting on an order by 4th Army commander Lt Gen Pornsak Poolsawat, travelled to the Bueyo mountain near Bula Nibong village in tambon Budi on Jan 17 following reports that the forest, the source of several streams, had been encroached on and destroyed.

The team found encroachment at three spots in the forest near the village.

The first spot, 182 metres above mean sea level, covered 3 rai and 87 square wah. The destruction caused about 486,000 baht in damage.

The second spot, 230m above sea level, covered about 2 and a half rai. The damage was estimated at 377,000 baht.

The third plot, 264m above sea level, covered 1 rai and 239 square wah. The damage was estimated at 240,000 baht.

Trees of all sizes in the three plots had been felled with motorised chainsaws and axes. The destruction began about six months ago, officials estimated. No encroachers or any of their equipment were visible.

Pol Capt Aroon said Udom Chanthornjit, a forestry official of Yala Forest Zone 3, was assigned to file a complaint with Muang Yala police about the encroachment in violation of the Forest Act and Environment Protection Act.