CHIANG RAI / WILDLIFE

Important wetlands and birds 'under threat' from resorts

THEERAWAT KHAMTHITA

Chiang Rai _ Waterfowls in Chiang Saen Lake, one of Thailand's most important wetland sites, are under threat from the construction of resorts and public facilities in the area, according to a local conservationist. Daorung Danlammajak said more than 10 resorts had been built around the lake, which straddles Chiang Saen and Mae Chan districts of Chiang Rai.

Ms Daorung said she was doubtful the resorts met with all legal requirements for construction in the area, as they were located on hilly areas near the lake.

However, even if they are lawful, the resorts still pose a major threat to the local ecosystem and migratory birds, she said.

The construction by local authorities of a public toilet to the north of the lake was also causing major damage to the lake's fragile ecosystem, she said.

Waste water from the toilet is released into a 300-400 rai bird-watching area that serves as a safe habitat for some 80 bird species, including waterfowls, she said.

Ms Daorung said she had formed a youth group with some 50 members to launch a campaign to raise local people's awareness of the importance of the lake. However, their efforts to date had failed, she said.

The lake, covering over 2,712 rai, is ranked as the country's fifth most important wetland, and is 1,101st internationally under the Ramsar Convention.

Vachirayu Kiartibutr, head of the Nong Bong Khai No-Hunting Area, said his agency had no authority to ban the construction of the resorts around the lake since they were on private land. The public toilet was built for use by tourists, he added.

He also denied untreated waste water was being released from the toilet, adding that the toilet was located a long way away from the bird-watching area mentioned by Ms Daorung.

He also said the area was located on a private plot left vacant by a local resident, and was not part of the lake.

Natural resources are still in abundance around the lake, with more than 10,000 migratory birds visiting and staying in the area annually, Mr Vachirayu said.

Bangkok Post

Saturday March 31, 2007