ID :
409431
Mon, 06/13/2016 - 12:08
Auther :

Thailand launches airborne-reforestation project

BANGKOK, June 13 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and its partner agencies, is implementing a reforestation project by airborne seed dispersals, especially in catchment areas. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya launched the project at an airport in Nakhon Sawan Province in the Lower Thai North on June 13, marking the twin royally-auspicious occasion this year of the 70th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne on June 9 and the 84th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. General Chatchai said during Monday's ceremony that agencies concerned under his ministry, as well as the Royal Thai Army, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Interior are jointly implementing the project in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen. General Chatchai noted that airborne seed dispersals are applied for catchment areas with difficult access by land, with seeds of 10 kinds of trees put in soil balls and dispersed from rainmaking planes in their regular rainmaking flights. According to the minister, the reforestation task on June 13 involves about 1.7 million seeds weighing about 400 kilograms and targeted catchment areas of the Pa Sak River in Phetchabun Province in the Lower Thai North. The minister revealed that the plants include cutch, giant bamboo, Thai bamboo, evergreen plants, cassod plants and teak and about 500,000-600,000 trees are expected to survive and expand forest areas there within 5-10 years. Meanwhile, Lersak Rewtrakulpaiboon, Director-General of the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, acknowledged officials have selected the kinds of plants that would easily create forested areas, become food for wildlife and be indigenous perennials. (TNA)

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