Heads must roll like salween illega

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

POLITICAL VIEW 
sopon onkgara

Heads must roll like salween illegal logs


Two cases of logging are currently eliciting about the same degree of controversy.  The first concerns the ongoing tree-felling to clear the way for the Yadana gas pipeline project through the forests in Kanchanaburi.  The second involves the illegal logging in Salween National Park which, like elsewhere, has been going on for quite some time.

The tree-cutting in Kanchanaburi, Including the strip marked for the gas pipeline, has been opposed by environmentalists and NG0s arguing for the need to conserve what remains of the nation's fast dwindling forests.  

Though the two cases are unrelated, there is a similarity in that big trees are being felled for commercial purposes.  The Salween illegal log-cutting benefits just a handful of timber merchants and corrupt government officials, who let the devastation continue in return for graft money. 

The negative consequences are irreparable and the plundered resources are irreplaceable.  Reforestation takes many years, but the environment will never be restored to its previous state.

But there are big differences too.  The gas pipeline project is aimed at ensuring a sufficient supply of energy for the country as consumption will certainly increase in the coming years.  It is based on an argument of conserving what the country has, and being ready for a possible deprivation of energy sources in case of sudden supply shortages due to crises or other causes.

The Petroleum Authority of Thailand has been actively funding  reforestation projects m the North and other areas.  It is a legitimate business and the project has the government's stamp of approval.  The conservationists must propose viable choices so that their cause does not go against the demands of reality and facts of life.

These groups have resorted to every method possible to obstruct the project, even camping out to prevent the flow of work.  At times, there was almost a direct confrontation with local villagers who support the project, regardless that they were paid to do so.

It's time for the conservationists, environmentalists and their friends among the NG0s to become more active.  That means they should protect what is left in other forests as well.

For example, there is much that is shady about the Salween illegal logging.  Common-sense tells us that it is impossible for the log cutters to chop down tens of thousand of trees over the years without detection.

Log rolling and stacking are not a noiseless as crocheting.  Logs are not as small as needles and sawmills are not as small as dog houses.  The whole process requires equipment, illegal wood processing, vehicle and elephant trails, and crews backed by big-money merchants who in turn are protected by corrupt officials.

Surely, looking for logs is not as difficult as searching for needles in a hay stack.  The Forestry Department has been in existence almost as long as the forests but forest cover has shrunk to less than 15 per cent of the country's area.

Illegal 109-cutting has been going on nation-wide despite the closure of the forests 10 Years ago.  What have forestry officials and their counterparts in law enforcement agencies been doing throughout this past decade?

The Forestry Department has been accused of incompetence and ineffectiveness as its provincial units are highly vulnerable to the odour of money.  It is time for somebody else to participate in the ongoing forest conservation.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has, almost belatedly, instructed a joint team
of military and police forces to conduct surveillance by air over the Salween National
Park after a Bt5 million bundle of cash, believed to be a kickback, was dropped at Government House by the department's deputy director general who received the amount from an undisclosed source.

 Defence minister Chuan is right in instructing the military to guard the forest.  It's national interest no matter how one wants to look at the issue.  This is peacetime and soldiers must be deployed to good use.  They can do more besides protecting the country's border with Burma where ethnic guerrillas, drug lords and all sorts of miscreants have been roaming quite freely.

This is time to ruffle some feathers.  Many influential elements, in government uniform and in politics, have been reaping fortunes for decades from illegal commercial activities along the border.  It is not beyond common sense, again, to stem the forest encroachment and tree felling through simple means but with a firm hand. 

Sawmills along the border must be demolished. their number must be reduced as much as possible.  Confiscation of assets of the culprits has to be enforced strictly with harsh penalties.  Chuan must ensure that the new suppression drive must also prevent further palm greasing among the forces assigned the task as well.

It's quite disappointing to hear Chuan say he would not order an investigation into previous illegal activities but would prevent further forest destruction.

The public wants the heads of those culprits to roll like logs as the new Constitution ensures that nobody is above the law.  The punishment must be a deterrence.

At the same time, the alliance of protesters against the gas pipeline project can fulfil their cause and do a lot of good if they can provide help to the government.  As nature lovers, they can camp out in the rich Salween jungle and scout around for the illegal logging and preserve the forests for future generations as well.

 

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