The government’s attempt contradicts the universal conservation principle of “doing no harm” to areas with high ecological values and international commitment under CBD
Leading conservation organisations have called on the government and concerned agencies to scrap the plan to revoke a vast forest tract of Thap Lan National Park following the boundary adjustment plan.
Led by WWF Thailand, WCS Thailand, Panthera, and Freeland, the group has issued a statement to express a clear stance on the issue. The group said the government’s attempt could dampen its commitment to the global Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and the latest commitment to protect protected areas by 30% in 2030 under the convention.
In COP15 in Montreal and Kunming in 2022, parties of the CBD, Thailand included, reached an agreement on the new historic global biodiversity framework that will shape action in the post-2020, “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (GBF). The framework proposes four goals to achieve by 2050 and 21 associated “action targets” for 2030, which are expected to help achieve the main goals of reducing threats to biodiversity, meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing, and tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming.
Among those targets, at least 30 per cent of land and sea areas globally should be conserved through effective, equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas. This is simply known as the 30×30 target, according to the announcement. (Read: New Global Biodiversity Framework adopted to guide nature conservation in coming decades)
“Without doubt, the government’s plan to revoke such a vast forest area contradicts its commitment to the international community, and this could damage its reputation and a leading conservation status in the international arena,” said the group, adding this could also further affect decisions of the other global World Heritage Committee whether the area should be maintained its World Heritage status for the potential loss of its vast forest tract. Thap Lan is part of the country’s second World Heritage Site, Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai, which was first inscribed in 2005.
Last but not least, the government’s plan contradicts the universal conversation principle of “doing no harm” to protected areas with high ecological values. As the park has high ecological values and is widely appreciated by people nationwide, the principle of “doing no harm” to the place is the first and foremost priority for its protection and conservation efforts, and any changes to the area must go through wide public participation, the group said.
“The government’s plan will pose critical threats to the forest’s values and does not follow the principle. This can set a poor example for actions in other protected areas in the future. Hence, we call on the government and concerned agencies to scrap the plan and explore other potential solutions to address the issue,” said the group.
Read the full statement below.
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