Public, private sectors join reforestation plan in honour of Thai Queen

BANGKOK, June 16 (TNA) - Six public and private agencies in Thailand have agreed to join in a reforestation plan in northern upstream areas in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty's 84th birthday anniversary on August 12, 2016. Under the plan, the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, will cooperate with a radio and TV programmers club, the Royal Thai Police, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Government Housing Bank to first plant trees at a 84 rai-wildlife conservation area (2.5 rais = 1 acre) in Pong District of Phayao Province in the Thai North on July 17, 2016. To complete the joint mission, the public and private agencies will later plant trees in 12 other northern Thai provinces, covering about 2,000 rais, over the next three years. Thanya Netithammakun, Director-General of the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, told journalists on Thursday that the plan comes after Her Majesty the Queen has suggested the importance of forests and natural water resources. Thanya said the Thai government will, thus, grow trees not less than 8.2 million rais within the period of 20 years. Besides, the government has urged every sector to participate in reforestation, revival of deteriorating forest conditions and conservation of forest areas nationwide. (TNA)