The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry of Thailand will invest US$1.58 million to clear extensive illegal rubber plantations in headwater areas in the south. According to the ministry, there has been extensive encroachment into national forest reserves and wildlife parks because parawood is retailing at a higher price.
Three years ago, 22.4 million sq m of restricted land was encroached upon and replaced by rubber plantations, while 4.9 million cu m of wood from tress was felled illegally and is still unaccounted for. To date, 552 suspects have been arrested in 1,515 cases.
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