Thailand to expand forest areas to cover 40% of its territory

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has announced plans to increase the country's total forest area to cover 40% of the national territory, insisting it is confident on restoring forests and biological diversity in the country.

Under the plan, forest areas in Thailand would be increased by 20 million rai, some 32,000 sq km, to 128 million rai, some 204,800 sq km.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti made the announcement on Monday, saying the United Nations had declared the year 2011 as the International Year of Forests, which calls for increased worldwide environmental conservation.

Suwit said the ministry would also expand Thai national parks by 19% or about 13 million rai, some 20,800 sq km, and open 25 more national parks this year. He said the ministry had surveyed forest complexes including those on the Tanaosri mountain range, the Dong Phayayen forest complex, the Phukhiaw Namnao forest complex, and forests in the Pai river basin, and planned to open altogether 148 new national parks. (TNA)